Online Car Insurance Quote Primer

Getting online car insurance quotes is easy and can save you hundreds. Follow these tips to make sure you get the right quotes as conveniently as possible.

First, you'll want to make sure you get at least three quotes from different companies. This is because auto insurance rates can vary tremendously from one company to the next. When you get a variety of quotes, you can see which company is the lowest. One of the most convenient ways to do this is by using an insurance comparison site. These types of Web sites allow you to enter your information once, and then provide several quotes back.

Next, get some information ready to make the process go quicker. Some of the information you'll want includes make and model of each vehicle, driver's license and Social Security numbers for each driver, and the coverages and deductibles you'll want. If you are just shopping around to look for a better deal (a good idea) and have a current auto insurance policy, you can use that for your information.

Make sure to take notes about your quotes to help you compare and decide. You can just jot down information on a sheet of paper, such as the amount of the quote, deductibles and coverage limits plus the name and contact information for each company or insurance agent.

Once you've found a quote you like, it's a good idea to check into the company's financial stability. After all, you want to make sure the company will be around when you need them most -- during a claim. There are several organizations that rate insurance companies, such as Weiss, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best. They may have ratings on the company you're interested in on their Web sites. You can also check with your state's insurance department to see if there have been any complaints about the company.

Also, when you are looking for quotes, and after you've found a quote you like, ask about available discounts. Discounts such as multi-policy, Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS), anti-theft devices, low mileage, and good student can lower your premiums anywhere from five to 20 percent.