Get Quotes You Can Actually Compare
Prices for the same coverage can differ from one insurer to the next, which is why the National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends shopping around. The trick is to ask every company to quote the same coverage, then look past the price.
Get Free QuotesHow to Compare Quotes
Gather Your Info
Have your driver’s license number, your vehicle identification number (VIN) and your current declarations page handy. The declarations page lists your current coverages and limits, so you can request matching quotes.
Quote the Same Coverage
Ask each insurer for the same liability limits, deductibles and optional coverages. A cheaper quote with lower limits or a higher deductible isn’t a real saving if it leaves you underinsured.
Look Beyond Price
Compare discounts, payment options and how each company handles claims. Your state insurance department and the NAIC publish complaint information that shows how insurers treat their customers.
Common Types of Car Insurance Coverage
Liability Coverage
Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people, up to your policy limits. Every state except New Hampshire requires some liability coverage, though Florida requires only property damage liability for most drivers.
Collision Coverage
Pays to repair or replace your car after it hits another vehicle or an object, regardless of who is at fault, minus your deductible. Lenders and leasing companies usually require it.
Comprehensive Coverage
Pays for damage from events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding or hitting an animal, minus your deductible.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Pays for your injuries, and in some states damage to your car, when an at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. Some states require it, and many others include it unless you reject it in writing.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments
Pays medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault. PIP is required in no-fault states and a few others, and it can also cover lost wages. Medical payments coverage is optional in most states.
For more detail, see our guide to the different types of auto insurance.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State
Every state sets its own minimum liability limits, and more than half also require coverage such as PIP or uninsured motorist coverage. Our page on car insurance requirements by state lists the minimums for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with links to each state’s official source and to our state guides. Quote at least your state’s minimum, and consider higher limits if you have savings or a home to protect.
Ready to Compare Quotes?
Request free quotes, then compare them using the steps above. There’s no obligation to buy.
Get Free QuotesRateFrog may earn money when you request quotes. RateFrog and our quote partner, Insurance Panda, share an owner.