Step-By-Step Checklist for Getting Car Insurance

There's a lot to consider when you're looking for car insurance. How much coverage do you need? Who's the best insurance provider? How can you lower your premiums? This step-by-step checklist will help you find the perfect car insurance coverage for your needs.

Understand Different Types of Car Insurance

There are several types of car insurance. "Full coverage" insurance usually includes the following:

Liability insurance covers bodily injury or property damage you cause while driving.

Collision insurance covers repairs to a vehicle or object (such as a fence) that you damage in an accident.

Comprehensive insurance covers vehicle theft or damage unrelated to an accident, such as fire, vandalism or a tornado.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance covers medical bills and other costs from an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Medical payments/personal injury protection insurance covers medical and related costs if a passenger in your car is injured in an accident.

You can also add "extra" coverage; see Car Insurance Extras to Consider below for more.



Decide How Much Car Insurance You Need

Most states require a minimum amount of liability and uninsured/underinsured driver insurance. That's a good starting point when deciding on coverage.

Leased or financed cars must have comprehensive and collision coverage as mandated by the lender.

If your car is older, collision and comprehensive insurance may not be worth the cost; the most they'll pay out is the total value of the car.

If you own your home or have other assets, consider adding umbrella insurance to protect them.

Review your budget to estimate how much insurance you can afford.

Aim to strike a balance between your budget and your insurance needs.


Choose an Insurance Company

You can shop for car insurance online at insurance company websites or use an insurance comparison site like affordableinsurance365.com

Ask friends and neighbors or search online review sites for recommendations.

Remember, captive insurance agents only sell insurance from one company and will only recommend something they sell.

Read car insurance reviews such as the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study to see what customers say about carriers you're considering.

Check A.M. Best's rating of the carrier's financial stability.

Check for consumer complaints about providers at the NAIC website.

If you're interested in a certain type of insurance, such as pay-per-mile coverage, look for a company that offers it.

Compare quotes for the same type and amount of coverage from at least three insurance companies.

To get the most accurate quote, be prepared to provide:

Make, model, year and vehicle identification number (VIN) for each car you want to insure

Driver's license information for everyone in your household you want to insure

An estimate of how many miles your cars are driven annually

Your current car insurance policy, if you have one

There are dozens of car insurance companies to consider. 



AAA

Allstate

Elephant

Esurance

Farmers

Geico

Liberty Mutual

Progressive

Root

State Farm

Look for Ways to Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

Maintain a clean driving record. Traffic tickets or accidents can mean higher insurance premiums.

Raising your deductible can lower your coverage, but make sure you have enough savings to afford the higher deductible.

If your car is older, consider reducing or eliminating collision and comprehensive coverage. If the car isn't worth much, you may not need the insurer's payout to repair or replace it.

Bundle your car insurance by getting a homeowners or renters policy from the same carrier.

See if your employer or organizations you belong to offer car insurance discounts.

If you drive 12,000 or fewer miles a year, investigate usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance.

Maintain a good credit score.

Insurance companies may charge you more if you have poor credit.

Check your credit score before you apply for insurance and take steps to improve it if necessary.


Car Insurance Extras to Consider

Many insurance companies offer specialty car insurance extras that can save you money.

Accident forgiveness prevents an accident from increasing your premiums.

Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on your auto loan or lease and the car's value if the car is totaled.

Rideshare driving insurance covers you during the period when you're logged in to the rideshare app but haven't accepted a trip request.

Roadside assistance insurance provides emergency help for flat tires or other breakdowns.

Rental reimbursement insurance pays for a rental car while your car is undergoing covered repairs.

If you often drive in Mexico, you need insurance from a Mexican company; many U.S. insurers sell this through partners.

New-car replacement coverage replaces your car with a new one of the same make and model if it's totaled within a certain number of miles or years.

Windshield/glass insurance replaces or repairs auto glass with little or no deductible.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) insurance pays for using factory parts in covered repairs.

Customized equipment insurance covers the cost to repair or replace aftermarket equipment on your car.

Classic or collectors' car insurance covers specialized repairs, parts and restoration classic cars need.

Pet insurance coverage pays medical costs if a pet in your car is injured in an accident.

Umbrella insurance provides additional coverage if expenses or lawsuits exceed the limits of your car insurance.