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How To Get The Best Deals (2024)

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3 months ago

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How To Get The Best Deals (2024)

There are multiple ways to get car insurance quotes, each with its own pros and cons.

Contact an Insurance Company’s Agent

One of the simplest ways of shopping for car insurance is to get a quote from an agent at an insurance company. Also called captive agents, these representatives only work for a single company like Geico or Allstate. They won’t compare other options for you, but they’ll know the ins and outs of their company’s coverage options.

Pros

The agent can ensure you’re getting all applicable discounts.
The agent has detailed knowledge of the company’s coverage options and policies.

Cons

Using individual agents is a slow way to compare companies.

Use an Insurance Broker or Independent Insurance Agent

Independent agents and brokers both work with multiple insurance companies, which means they can help you comparison shop. An insurance agency in your town might offer coverage from Geico, Progressive and State Farm along with a few local options. However, brokers and independent agents make more money if you buy more coverage, so they have the incentive to sell you more.

Pros

You can compare multiple national and local options with one application.
Brokers and independent agents are knowledgeable about the companies they work with.
Agencies and brokers can help you find the best coverage for your situation.

Cons

Agencies and brokers have the incentive to sell you more coverage than you may need.

Get a Quote From a Company’s Website

You can also go to company websites and get auto insurance quotes online (unless a company only operates through agents).

Pros

You can get an instant price after filling out a quote form.
You don’t have to talk with an agent if you know what you need.
You can get discounts for shopping online from some companies.

Cons

Online quote forms may not cover all situations like classic car insurance or rideshare insurance.
To compare multiple companies, you’ll need to fill out multiple quote forms.

Use an Online Comparison Tool

Using an online quote comparison tool is an easy and fast way to get prices from many companies at once. Similar to using a company’s website, special situations like rideshare insurance or classic car insurance may require an agent’s help.

Pros

You can fill out one form and compare prices from many companies.
This option saves more time than other quote methods.
You can get a quote and start coverage on the same day.
There’s no pressure from agents or brokers to get specific car insurance coverage.

Cons

This method doesn’t offer extra help if you don’t know the level of coverage you want.
Quotes might not apply to special situations like classic car coverage.
You might get marketing emails or phone calls from the companies you didn’t choose.

Quote Tip: Be Truthful

Always give correct information when filling out a car insurance quote. Car insurance companies can change your rate or even cancel your coverage if they discover something important was missing from the quote, like specific details of your driving history.

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