What to Ask When Calling an Auto Insurance Company (2024)
The average cost of auto insurance in the US is $79.58/mo, but you can save up to 25% by asking about discounts for students, teachers, and military.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 21, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 21, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Navigating the world of car insurance can be a daunting task. Before you can drive off in your dream car, a company must be found that can sell you quality car insurance at the right price.
With all of the different contracts available, knowing what to ask questions about is the key to discovering which contract is the right one for you. It can save you time, money, and frustration in the long one.
Ideally, the agent will discuss with you which discounts are available and the benefits of each contract.
In today’s world, the consumer is expected to read the contract’s terms and discover the answer on their own. Agents will not necessarily discuss policy options unless you openly ask the questions of them.
All options are welcome and can be viewed in our FREE auto insurance comparison tool. Enter your ZIP code to compare now!
- With all of the different contracts available, knowing what to ask questions about is the key to discovering which contract is the right one for you
- Make sure you look at what discounts you may qualify for when looking at different policy options
- Before you make your purchase, check to see if the policy includes uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage
- Once a year you should shop around to make sure you are still getting the best price for the coverage that you need
All About the Discounts
Along with not informing you about contract details, the agent may not consider telling you about all of the discounts that are offered for auto insurance.
In addition to the safe driver discount, most companies offer other options that can help you save money.
Look at your family dynamics. If your child has a good GPA, you could get a good student discount on your car insurance. Where you work can also play a factor: professionals, lawyers, and doctors may receive money off.
Read more: How to Get a Doctor Auto Insurance Discount
This includes members of professional organizations. Some insurers actually offer college-specific discounts, so your former alma mater can reduce the bill.
The car matters when it comes to car insurance. Most people know that different cars are priced differently, but what is in the car can also have an impact.
Airbags, Antitheft devices, car alarms, and GPS systems often receive discounts since they provide an added level of safety for the driver.
If you do not drive very often, ask about low mileage discount. Drivers who use their cars rarely are less likely to be an accident: it’s difficult to get in an accident if you are not on the road.
In order to get as many discounts as possible, don’t be shy about asking as many questions as possible. Do a free online car insurance comparison in order to know what to expect from agents over the phone.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
When Disaster Strikes
One important thing to check with the insurer often is not asked until it is too late. In the event of an accident, the car may be declared totaled. If it is a new car, the amount owed on it could be more than it is deemed worthy.
Most insurance companies pay out the “actual cash value of the car”. This number is determined using the NADA Guide to find the figure.
If the car is new, the amount may be far different than the purchase price because of the devaluation. In these instances, having a contract that pays out the “agreed upon value” is more beneficial.
This value is based on an agreement between the insurance company and customer to be a set price that, regardless of the length of the contract, remains the same.
Make sure to calculate auto insurance general damage payments that will be available before you settle on buying a policy.
Beware the Uninsured
Before you make your purchase, check to see if the policy includes uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Some states do not require companies to offer it or only demand a minimum level.
If an uninsured motorist hits your car, the payout may be far less than desirable. Although collision coverage should cover the damages to the vehicle, it does not cover the cost of medical bills.
Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage pays for any damage that occurs through vandalism, theft, or tree damage. Collision coverage only covers the cost of repairs and damages that occur during an accident.
If the car has collision coverage, no matter who was at fault for the accident the vehicle will be covered.
Both of these forms of coverage can help to protect your car in case of any negative event. The only time it does not make sense to use it is if the car does not have a high value.
A car that was purchased for a couple of thousand may not be worth the cost of extra coverage and deductibles. The higher value the car is, the more worthwhile collision and comprehensive coverage are.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Check the Drivers
Make sure to ask questions about who can drive your car. If there are other family members in your household, you may have to insure everyone.
When driving a car that is not yours, the car insurance plan may not cover you as well. Check to see if you are insured for any car you drive or just cars you personally own.
Coverage also may not apply to a new car purchase. New cars are bought and sold all of the time and insurers may not cover the new vehicle in the event of an accident.
Many policies will extend coverage for a short time limit while you arrange for the policy to switch over.
Switching Over
Your list of questions is prepared and the auto insurance policy seems like a perfect fit. After a while, you find yourself wanting to switch car insurance companies.
Knowing in advance the cancellation policy can make changing companies a far simpler task.
Each policyholder has the right to cancel their policy, but knowing about how the procedure works in advance can make it easier.
Ask your agent before you buy the policy about the potential effects of early cancellation on your future premiums. Being uninsured for any length of time can increase the future costs of your policy.
Overlap your old and new policies to negate this problem.
Knowing everything before you buy is the key to finding the right auto insurance policy for your family.
From full coverage to the minimum, learning what each policy covers and how it matters to you through an auto insurance comparison can make all the difference.
Decide the coverage level you need in advance before you go to buy it and make sure to always ask the questions you prepared in advance.
Enter your ZIP code into our FREE auto insurance comparison tool to see rates compared for your preferred coverage levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I gather before calling an auto insurance company?
Before calling an auto insurance company, it’s helpful to gather the following top five information:
- Your personal details
- Vehicle information
- Driver’s license number
- Details about any accidents or claims you’ve had in the past
- Any specific coverage or policy preferences you may have
How do I find the contact information for an auto insurance company?
You can find the contact information for an auto insurance company through various sources, three most common include:
- Policy documents
- Insurance company’s website
- Insurance agent or broker
What questions should I ask about coverage options?
When calling an auto insurance company, consider asking the following four most common questions regarding coverage options:
- What types of coverage do you offer?
- What are the minimum coverage requirements in my state?
- Do you offer additional coverage options, such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement?
- Are there any discounts available for bundling multiple policies or for specific safety features in my vehicle?
What questions should I ask about premiums and discounts?
To understand premiums and discounts, consider asking the following top four questions:
- How is the premium calculated for my policy?
- Are there any discounts available based on my driving history, vehicle safety features, or other factors?
- Can I adjust the deductible amount to affect the premium?
- Are there any payment options available, such as annual or monthly payments?
What information should I ask about the claims process?
When inquiring about the claims process, ask the following four questions:
- How do I report a claim in case of an accident or damage?
- What is the typical timeframe for claim resolution?
- Is there a preferred network of repair shops I should use?
- Will my premium increase if I file a claim?
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.