FAQs about Free Auto Insurance Quotes

Many people are not comfortable shopping for auto insurance online. They simply do not understand how the process works or are confused about car insurance in general. This is not surprising but it is actually easier than people think. You can get free auto insurance quotes from several insurance companies who are basically competing for your business. If you are a new online auto insurance shopper, there are several key points you will need to know before you buy a policy.

What are auto insurance quotes?

When you request free auto insurance quotes, you are asking insurance companies for their current rates on auto insurance for people with your specific eligibility factors. The quote is an offer made by the insurance company. In short, they will provide specific coverage at a particular rate.

How are rates calculated?

Each auto insurance company uses different factors in their formula for establishing rates. Some factors may be standard within the insurance industry while others are unique to each provider. Common criteria include your driving record, car make and model, and your location. Personal statistics will be used as well such as your gender, age, and marital status. Many insurance companies will pull your credit score to include in the calculation. If you have recently gone through a major life change, such as divorce, that has negatively impacted your credit score, you might want to let the insurance company know.

How are the quotes used?

Since quotes are actual offers, this means that if you accept a company's offer by purchasing their policy, your purchase price is the same as the quote. You should be aware that quotes can change on a daily basis so if you wait to purchase a policy, you are not guaranteed the price in the original quote. For this reason, quotes may include a statement detailing how long the quote is good for or the expiration date of the offer. Many sites allow you to save quotes so you can revisit them in the near future. This is a convenient feature if you are still hesitant about purchasing your auto insurance online.

What do I do next?

Once you have reviewed your free auto insurance quotes, you can either go ahead and buy a policy or do additional research on the insurance company. A good policy is nothing more than a piece of paper if the company is unwilling to pay claims. It is recommended you take the time to check out insurance providers by conducting online research to learn about complaints and claim history. Once you are satisfied, you can confidently purchase your auto insurance policy!