Get Free Car Insurance Quotes Online (December 2024)
Online quotes are the fastest way to compare rates from multiple companies. And you may save money by buying online.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
How to get car insurance quotes
Most insurance companies offer free car insurance quotes online.
There are four steps to getting car insurance quotes online:
You can also get free insurance quotes over the phone or through an independent insurance agent. To get a quote, you'll need to share your personal info and know how much coverage you need.
Step 1: Organize your personal info
To get a quote for car insurance online, you must enter info about yourself, your car and your driving record.
- Name, address and birth date
- Driver's license info
- Current insurance company
- Vehicle info, including the VIN, make, model and year
- Info about your lender if you have a loan or lease
- Any claims, tickets or accidents in the past three to five years
- About how many miles you drive per year
Step 2: Figure out how much coverage you need
The coverage types and limits you choose have a big effect on your car insurance quotes.
Most people should get auto insurance quotes that include comprehensive and collision coverage.
These coverages pay for damage to your car and are often part of a full coverage policy. Otherwise, your insurance will just pay for damage and injuries you cause to others.
If you're taking out a car loan or leasing a new vehicle, your lender will typically require a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage.
You should also consider full coverage if:
- Your car is worth more than $5,000
- Your car is less than 8 years old
- You would have a hard time paying for a new vehicle if your car was totaled
Some drivers may also want extra coverage, like roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement.
Common car insurance coverage add-ons
Roadside assistance gets you help if your car breaks down on the side of the road. Roadside assistance typically pays for things like towing, gas and oil delivery, tire changes or a locksmith.
Some dealerships give you free roadside assistance for a few years after you buy a new car. It's also a common perk among credit card companies. You should check to see whether you have access to free roadside assistance before adding it to your insurance policy.
Gap insurance pays the difference between your car's current value and the amount you still owe on your loan or lease if the car is totaled.
This coverage is especially useful for brand new cars so you don't owe money on a car you don't have anymore.
Rental car reimbursement pays for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop after an accident.
This coverage is important if you need a car to get to work or run errands and only have one vehicle.
New car replacement pays for a brand new car if your car is totaled in an accident. This coverage is typically only an option if your car is 1 or 2 years old.
Accident forgiveness keeps your car insurance rates from going up after you cause an accident.
Vanishing deductible lowers your comprehensive and collision deductible each year you avoid an accident or claim. This coverage is also called a disappearing deductible or deductible fund.
Auto insurance quotes automatically include the minimum liability insurance required in your state.
However, you should strongly consider getting higher limits if you can afford it. Minimum liability car insurance typically isn't enough to cover the cost of a major accident. So you may have a big bill if you cause a serious crash.
Step 3: Decide where to shop for car insurance quotes
After you've gathered your info and determined your coverage needs, you're ready to shop for free auto insurance quotes.
Online quote comparison tools are the fastest way to get auto insurance quotes from multiple companies.
That makes quote comparison tools a great choice if you're at the dealership and need a quick car insurance quote.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
ValuePenguin works with trusted national car insurance companies to help you find cheap auto insurance quotes quickly, simply and easily — for free.
- Save money. Shopping for multiple car insurance quotes is the best way to find cheap car insurance online.
- It's free and easy. Get automobile insurance quotes in just a few minutes, with no cost or hassle.
- Find an insurance company you trust. We partner with the country's leading companies, so you'll have the protection you need when it counts.
- Get customized results. You get more accurate rates when your online quotes are personalized just for you.
- Shop with confidence. ValuePenguin respects your privacy, and we take extra precautions to ensure your info remains secure.
Most insurance companies allow you to get insurance quotes on their website for free.
In addition, some companies give you a discount when you purchase car insurance online.
However, looking for car insurance this way can be more time-consuming than using a comparison tool. That's because you have to enter the same info on each company's website.
An independent agent can also help you get multiple auto insurance quotes at once.
That's because independent insurance agents work with lots of different insurance companies.
You may be able to get a quick auto insurance quote from an independent agent if you call them and know exactly what coverage you need. However, the only way to get online quotes through an independent agent is via email.
So an independent agent may not be the best choice if you're at the dealership and need insurance quotes quickly.
Whether you get a free quote online or through an agent, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies.
The more quotes you get, the more options you have. That gives you a better chance to save money.
Step 4: Share your info and compare rates
Lastly, you'll need to share your info to get your car insurance quotes. Every quote tool is different, but some may automatically fill in details about your car, driving history and current coverage once you provide basic information about yourself, like your address and birthdate.
It's OK if you're unsure of the exact details regarding past accidents or tickets, but try to provide as much info as possible.
It's important not to lie on your insurance application, because insurance companies have access to a database with all of your previous insurance claims, called CLUE. They'll use this report, along with info from the DMV, to verify your driving history before offering you a policy.
How to find cheap car insurance quotes online
When looking for affordable car insurance quotes online, you should shop around and consider discounts.
You can also lower your coverage if you can't find an affordable policy.
Get auto insurance quotes from multiple companies
Most major car insurance companies allow you to get a quote on their website. This makes it easy to shop around for multiple quotes and find the cheapest rate for you.
When getting an insurance quote online, entering your info usually takes around five minutes. Then, you'll see your quote instantly. After you get a quote, you can usually buy a policy that starts as soon as the same day.
Some companies offer online quotes but don't allow you to buy auto insurance online.
For example, Erie offers online quotes, but you have to speak to an Erie agent to buy a policy.
Full coverage auto insurance quotes by company
Company | Monthly cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $115 | |
| State Farm | $134 | |
| Progressive | $173 | |
| Geico | $176 | |
| Nationwide | $200 | |
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
In addition, you may not be able to buy auto insurance online if you have a bad driving record or poor credit score. So, you may have to speak to an agent over the phone to purchase a policy.
When looking for car insurance quotes online, write down the reference number of your quote. This allows you to pull it up later. Insurance prices change constantly. If you get a quote a second time, your rate may change.
Online auto insurance quotes might be valid for only a few weeks. If you find a great deal, it's a good idea to do your research quickly so you can take advantage of it.
Find car insurance discounts
Most insurance companies offer discounts to help make your car insurance quotes more affordable.
Liberty Mutual and Progressive both offer discounts for buying auto insurance online.
You can typically save the most money by bundling your car insurance with home or renters insurance.
Many companies also offer discounts when you sign up for automatic payments or get your statements via email.
Adjust your insurance coverage
Your car insurance coverage limits can have a big impact on the cost of your policy.
How much will my car insurance quotes be?
It's important to have an idea of how much your car insurance should cost before looking for car insurance quotes. This will help you determine whether you're paying a fair price.
How much are quotes for auto insurance?
Companies set their quotes by predicting how likely you are to make a claim and how much it could cost them.
What is an insurance quote?
An insurance quote is an estimate of how much you'll pay for car insurance. Insurance companies often consider your personal info, the car you drive, your driving history and other factors when setting rates.
Average car insurance quotes for different drivers
Monthly rate | |
|---|---|
| Minimum liability coverage | $69 |
| Full coverage | $175 |
| Speeding ticket | $216 |
| Accident | $262 |
| DUI | $324 |
| Poor credit | $341 |
| 18-year-old driver | $530 |
Rates for drivers with incidents or poor credit and teens are for a full coverage policy.
The other most commonly used factors for calculating your quotes are how much coverage you choose, the car you drive and where you live. Usually, companies also look at your credit history, age and gender.
Car insurance quotes differ by state, city and even ZIP code.
Insurance companies typically set quotes based on the average number of claims in an area. Urban areas with narrow roads and more cars typically have more car accidents and claims. That's why drivers in large cities often get higher quotes than people in rural communities.
Car insurance quotes may be higher if a state, city or neighborhood has more uninsured drivers or dangerous roads. Severe weather, like hurricanes or hail, can also affect your rates. That's because these factors can lead to more claims.
Quotes vary by state in part because state governments set minimum requirements for coverage. In addition, insurance companies must get their quotes approved by the state government.
Find the best cheap insurance quotes near you
More car insurance coverage typically means higher insurance quotes.
But you'll also get more protection after a crash.
People with tickets or accidents on their record usually have more expensive quotes.
Car insurance quotes go up by 23% or more after an accident, ticket or DUI. That's because insurance companies believe you're more likely to file a claim.
Auto insurance quotes are usually expensive for teens and new drivers. This is because they have less experience on the road. Quotes typically level off around 30 years old and increase slightly after age 65.
Cars that are newer, more expensive, faster and less safe typically have higher insurance quotes.
Among top-selling cars, the Honda CR-V and Ford F-150 have some of the cheapest full coverage insurance quotes.
Insurance companies believe drivers with bad credit are more likely to file claims.
So, a better credit score can mean cheaper quotes. Drivers with good credit pay about half as much for full coverage as those with poor credit.
Some states don't allow companies to use credit scores to set insurance quotes. This includes California, Michigan, Massachusetts and Hawaii. In these states, your credit score will not affect your auto quote.
Car insurance quotes are typically more expensive for men than women.
This is especially true for young drivers. That's because young men tend to be riskier drivers than young women. The cost of car insurance for men versus women is about the same starting around age 25.
However, some states don't allow companies to use gender to set your car insurance quotes. This includes California, Massachusetts and Michigan.
Frequently asked questions
What is a car insurance quote?
A car insurance quote estimates how much you'll pay for insurance. Insurance companies base your quote on details like your address, car and driving history. You can get free quotes online or by phone.
How do I find car insurance quotes online?
The best way to find car insurance quotes online is through car insurance comparison sites, like ValuePenguin. That's because comparison tools let you shop for car insurance quotes from multiple companies at the same time.
You can also get car insurance quotes using insurance company websites. However, this typically takes a lot longer because you must enter your info into each company's website.
Can you get auto insurance quotes online without sharing your personal info?
You need to give an insurance company your personal info to get a car insurance quotation online. That's because companies base your quote on your car, driving history, where you live and sometimes even your credit score.
What is the cheapest car insurance I can get online?
State Farm, Geico and USAA typically have the best rates, and they all offer online quotes. But everyone will pay different rates based on where they live, what car they own and their driving history.
Is buying auto insurance online cheaper?
Purchasing auto insurance online can be cheaper, depending on the company you choose. That's because some companies give you a discount for shopping for car insurance online. For example, Liberty Mutual offers a discount of up to 12% if you buy your car insurance online.
Methodology
ValuePenguin collected millions of car insurance quotes from 39 companies across the U.S. to find auto insurance quotes for the cheapest companies, states and drivers with issues on their records.
Average car insurance prices are based on quotes from all available ZIP codes in the U.S. Quotes are for a 30-year-old man who owns a 2015 Honda Civic EX. He has good credit and a clean driving record.
Full coverage quotes include comprehensive and collision coverage, along with liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Personal injury protection: Minimum when required by state
Rate data was provided to ValuePenguin by Quadrant Information Services. Insurer filings were used to publicly source rate information. These quotes are intended for comparative purposes only. Your rates could differ.
Expert insights to help you make smarter financial decisions
ValuePenguin has assembled an exclusive panel of professionals across various areas of expertise to help you understand complex topics and empower you to make smarter financial decisions.
- Mandatory financial products, like car insurance, allow socioeconomic status and geotargeting by ZIP code to influence the price one consumer gets compared to another. Do you believe these non-driving characteristics should play a role? Why or why not?
- A 2022 study conducted by ValuePenguin highlighted that 92% of policyholders who recently switched auto insurance companies saved money. Despite this, most policyholders (65%) don't get outside quotes for comparison. Why might these drivers be hesitant to seek additional quotes from other insurers?
- According to a ValuePenguin analysis, quotes for teenagers are three times as expensive as quotes for drivers in their mid-30s and closer to four times the rate for drivers in their mid-50s. Do you believe these prices appropriately reflect their increased risk? Why or why not?
- Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular by the day. With the rise of EVs comes new risks for insurers to consider, such as battery fires and cyber security. How do you think the increasing use of electric vehicles will affect the auto insurance industry and pricing going forward?
- Lars Powell, Ph.D.
- Executive Director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research
- Read answer
- Lynne McChristian
- Director of the Office of Risk Management & Insurance Research
- Read answer
- Lars Powell, Ph.D.
- Executive Director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research
- Read answer
- Lynne McChristian
- Director of the Office of Risk Management & Insurance Research
- Read answer
Lars Powell, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research, University of Alabama
Mandatory financial products, like car insurance, allow socioeconomic status and geotargeting by ZIP code to influence the price one consumer gets compared to another. Do you believe these non-driving characteristics should play a role? Why or why not?
Very few of the variables used to rate and underwrite auto insurance would be considered "driving factors," but all of them are highly correlated with crashing and claims. In fact, because they are all used based on their correlation with claims, they could all reasonably be considered driving factors. I believe they should be used to set insurance rates because they are accurate predictors of claims.
A 2022 study conducted by ValuePenguin highlighted that 92% of policyholders who recently switched auto insurance companies saved money. Despite this, most policyholders (65%) don't get outside quotes for comparison. Why might these drivers be hesitant to seek additional quotes from other insurers?
People do a lot of things that seem to go against their financial interests. Some people lack knowledge of the insurance market; some people don't think shopping is worth the trouble, and other people like or trust their insurance agent and don't want to find a new one. I expect this behavior to become less frequent as more people buy insurance online.
According to a ValuePenguin analysis, quotes for teenagers are three times as expensive as quotes for drivers in their mid-30s and closer to four times the rate for drivers in their mid-50s. Do you believe these prices appropriately reflect their increased risk? Why or why not?
These prices are still too low in most cases. The average 15-year-old male driver has a 1-in-5 chance of crashing in the first year that they drive. The average 50-year-old driver might have a 1-in-35 chance of crashing. Insurers subsidize youthful driver premiums so that they do not lose the rest of the family as customers.
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular by the day. With the rise of EVs comes new risks for insurers to consider such as battery fires and cyber security. How do you think the increasing use of electric vehicles will affect the auto insurance industry and pricing going forward?
Electric vehicles can only increase the cost of insurance. Battery fires could increase homeowners insurance risk, and the cost of repairing EVs increases auto insurance risk.
Lynne McChristian
Director of the Office of Risk Management & Insurance Research at Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mandatory financial products, like car insurance, allow socioeconomic status and geotargeting by ZIP code to influence the price one consumer gets compared to another. Do you believe these non-driving characteristics should play a role? Why or why not?
The saying in real estate is that location matters. It matters with driving, too. If one lives in a rural area absent the daily annoyance of rush hour traffic, there are typically fewer car crashes and related injuries.
If a ZIP code is in a big city with considerable traffic congestion and a high population, then accidents are more likely. Big city drivers pay more.
It's what happens in that ZIP code that provides a data point that makes insurance pricing reflect the risk. Absent using data that has been consistently proven to correlate to increased insurance claims, those rural drivers would pay more than what is fair based on their risks.
A 2022 study conducted by ValuePenguin highlighted that 92% of policyholders who recently switched auto insurance companies saved money. Despite this, most policyholders (65%) don't get outside quotes for comparison. Why might these drivers be hesitant to seek additional quotes from other insurers?
I think many policyholders do not shop for coverage because they are satisfied with their current insurance carrier. In fact, auto insurance claims satisfaction is high, and that means people want to stick with the companies they know that have delivered good customer service.
Another issue is that many people really don't take the time to shop around. It could pay off and be educational at the same time. When you shop, however, you want to make sure the insurance protection remains consistent with what you need. Buying what is cheaper could shortchange your protection level.
According to a ValuePenguin analysis, quotes for teenagers are three times as expensive as quotes for drivers in their mid-30s and closer to four times the rate for drivers in their mid-50s. Do you believe these prices appropriately reflect their increased risk? Why or why not?
The cost of insurance reflects the risks. Automobile insurance for teen drivers is three times the cost of mid-aged drivers because teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The number of crashes and fatalities is disproportionally higher for drivers between the ages of 16 and 19.
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