When you buy a car, you’ll need to purchase auto insurance, too. Though it's undeniably important, finding a great insurance option that fits with your budget can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are plenty of virtual ways to calculate an auto insurance estimate that can work for you.
Getting a car insurance estimate online with Infinity Auto Insurance, Inc. can save you time and potentially money, providing a convenient way to shop for coverage from the comfort of your home. This guide will walk you through the steps to get an accurate car insurance estimate, explain how to understand your coverage needs, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying insurance online.
Gather necessary information
The first step to finding a car insurance estimate is to gather all documents and necessary info. This will typically include:
- Personal information: Prepare your basic personal details like full name, age, address, and phone number. This information is required to verify your identity.
- Car information: You’ll need details about your vehicle, including the make, model, year, and current value. If you own multiple vehicles, you’ll need to provide information for each one. If you receive a car loan, you’ll need to give additional details like the bank name and the loan amount.
- Driving history: Be ready to provide recent driving history info, including any past claims or traffic violations. Insurance companies use this information to assess your risk as a driver.
- Usage information: Specify whether the vehicle is used for personal or commercial purposes.
- Coverage amount: Determine the amount of coverage you’re seeking. This can include liability, collision, comprehensive, and other types of coverage depending on your needs.
If you’re seeking a commercial auto quote, you'll need to provide more business information, including your specific jobs, the number of vehicles you use, and the typical drives for those vehicles.
Understand your coverage needs
As stated above, buyers need to determine what kind of coverage they want based on their driving needs and risk level. First, decide whether you need a personal auto quote or a commercial auto quote. Personal auto quotes are for vehicles used for personal purposes like commuting, running errands, or traveling, while commercial auto quotes are for vehicles used in business operations like driving from your office building to a secondary job site.
Once you decide what kind of coverage you want, you can evaluate what insurance options will work best for you. For personal auto insurance, full coverage is a great option because it typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Full coverage auto insurance can help pay for more types of incidents like theft, crashes, and vandalism as opposed to a state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Car insurance requirements vary from state to state. Some states require drivers to purchase liability coverage as the minimum, which only can help pay for damages to someone else’s vehicle and medical expenses during an accident. Drivers will likely want to purchase more coverage for better financial stability, which can be discussed thoroughly with an auto insurance agent.
Depending on the insurance option you choose, there will be a low or high deductible amount. Your deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible usually results in a lower premium, but it also means you can be held more financially responsible in the event of an accident.
How to maximize discounts for the best rate
To get the best rate on your car insurance, you should take advantage of various discounts that insurers often offer:
- Safe driver discounts: Many insurers offer discounts for drivers with a clean driving record.
- Bundling discounts: If you have multiple policies with the same insurer, such as home and auto insurance, you may be eligible for a bundling discount.
- Good student discounts: Students with good grades can often qualify for lower premiums.
- Paid-in-full discounts: If you pay your insurance premium upfront instead of month to month, you can qualify for certain savings.
- Safety features discounts: Vehicles equipped with safety features like anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft systems might qualify for lower rates.
Check each insurer’s website for discounts and be sure to ask about any that may apply to your situation. Different states have different discount availability, so make sure to examine each option to see if they're offered in your state.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Buying Insurance Online
Insurance buyers are lucky that finding a quote is easily accessible and fast through the internet. There are plenty of advantages, and some disadvantages drivers should know about when finding a car insurance estimate online.
Advantages
- 24/7 access: Online platforms allow you to get a quote anytime, without having to worry about business hours.
- Quick and straightforward process: Getting a quote online is typically faster and more convenient than contacting an agent.
- Compare quotes: You can easily compare auto insurance quotes online from multiple carriers at once, helping you find the best rate for the coverage you need.
Disadvantages
- Limited personal interaction: Online platforms lack the individualized touch and expertise that a real agent can offer. Finding a virtual quote may be an issue if you need assistance with confusing terms or language.
- Potential for limited customizations: Online tools may not provide the depth of customization that a conversation with an agent can.
- Less support for complex needs: If your insurance needs are complicated, an online quote might not address all aspects of your situation. Chatting with an insurance agent can help you understand terms, assess your demands, and walk you through all purchasing steps.
Why choose Infinity Insurance Agency?
At IIA, we can offer several benefits for those seeking auto insurance including:
- Free quotes: You can get affordable car insurance quotes online or over the phone at no cost, giving you a clear understanding of your options without any obligation.
- Competitive rates: Infinity Insurance Agency provides competitive rates without sacrificing coverage quality.
- Quick estimates: Get an estimate online in five minutes or less from over twenty different carriers, providing you with a range of helpful options. You can use our insurance calculator to easily input your information, needs and budget.
- Highly trained, Spanish-speaking bilingual agents: Our agents are well-trained and bilingual, ready to assist with any questions and provide detailed explanations of insurance terms and coverage.
Obtaining a car insurance estimate online is a convenient way to shop for coverage, offering you the ability to quickly compare options and potentially save on premiums. By gathering necessary information, understanding your coverage needs, and utilizing available discounts, you can make the best decision for you and your vehicle.