How to Compare Auto Quotes
A lower quote only means something if the coverage behind it matches what you have now.
Match the coverage before you compare the price
Start by putting your current policy's liability limits, deductibles, and extra coverages side by side with each new quote. If the numbers don't line up, the price doesn't tell you anything.
A quote that looks cheaper often has a lower liability limit or a higher deductible than your current policy. For a driver who's owned a home or built up savings, that gap matters more than it used to, since there's more to protect if you're at fault in a serious accident.
Your driving record sets the floor
Every insurer pulls your driving record, and most pull your claims history too. If yours is clean, you should be seeing quotes that reflect that. If you've had a ticket or a claim in the past few years, expect the quotes to vary more from one insurer to the next, because companies weigh the same violation differently.
Ask each insurer, or have your agent confirm, how far back they look at your record. Some look back further than others, and a violation that one company has already stopped counting might still be raising your price with another.
If you've taken a defensive driving course, check whether each quote already reflects it. Insurers don't apply this automatically. You usually have to send in the certificate yourself, and if you got one quote before sending it and another after, they won't be comparing fairly.
How you use the car changes what you should ask for
Two quotes can list the same car and still be built on different assumptions about how much you drive it. If you've cut back on driving, retired, or no longer commute, say so when you get quoted. Some insurers have a lower-mileage option that others don't offer, and it won't show up unless you ask.
Also check who else is listed on each quote. If a spouse or another household member was dropped from one quote but not another, that alone can explain a large part of the difference.
If your car is older and fully paid off, ask whether each quote includes collision and comprehensive coverage or just liability. Some people this age choose to drop one or both once a car's value has fallen enough that the payout wouldn't be worth the premium. That's a decision to make on purpose, not one to discover because a quote left it out.
Questions people ask about this
What coverage limits should I compare across quotes?
Compare the liability limits first, since that's usually where quotes differ most. Look at the bodily injury and property damage limits on each quote, not just the total premium, and make sure you're not comparing a lower limit against your current higher one.
Do insurers check the same driving record?
They check the same record but don't always weigh it the same way. One company might count a violation for longer than another, or treat an at-fault claim differently, which is why two quotes can differ even with identical information submitted.
Should I compare quotes from an agent or go direct to each company?
Both can work, and you can do either or both. An independent agent can pull several quotes at once and explain what's different in each. Going direct to an insurer gets you a quote from that one company only, so you'd need to repeat the process with each one you want to compare.
How often should I compare quotes after I turn a certain age?
There's no set schedule, but it's worth comparing whenever something about your situation changes, such as a renewal increase, a change in how much you drive, or finishing a driving course. Checking once a year even without a trigger is a reasonable habit.
Will comparing quotes trigger a hard inquiry on my credit?
Insurance quotes typically use a soft inquiry that doesn't affect your credit score, but policies vary by company and by state. Ask the insurer directly before you provide your information if you want to be certain.
See what other insurers would charge for the same coverage you have now.
Pull out your current policy's declarations page before you request any quotes. It lists your liability limits, your deductibles, and every driver and vehicle on the policy, which is exactly what you'll need to compare quotes fairly. When you request new quotes, give every insurer the same information, down to the mileage and any discounts you believe you qualify for. If you've taken a driving course recently, have the certificate ready to send in regardless of which insurer you choose. Set the quotes side by side and check the coverage lines before you look at the total price.
