Open the phone book or do an online search and you'll find that there is no end to the number of insurance carriers from which you can choose.  They all claim to have the lowest rates and the best customer service, so how can you be sure of which is the right auto insurance company for you?  Is there even really a difference between them?

There is actually a difference between companies in that they all pretty much provide the same type of service but for a wide variety of charges.  There are many that also have a larger variety of services available through their company, such as roadside service, multi-car discounts, and so on.  And those discounts are the real difference between one auto insurance company and the next, and what you should really be paying attention to when it comes to the choice you're going to make.

You need to understand your own situation when choosing an auto insurance company.  For instance, many offer discounts if you have more than one insurance policy with them, such as renter's insurance, homeowner's insurance, life insurance, and so on.  But if you don't need any of these additional policies, then this is pointless.  On the other hand, not every auto insurance company offers a safe driver discount, but if you have no tickets and accidents and can honestly say that you're a safe driver then it pays to shop around for another auto insurance company that does.  It's important to know the common reasons why a company would offer a discount, such as being at a particular age, having anti-theft devices, having good medical coverage or supplemental coverage through your employer, and things like these.  Anything that makes you seem like a safer driver in their eyes or that might make their liability a little bit less can translate into a lower premium for you.

Sometimes you can get the same types of discounts from different companies but they charge vastly different rates.  This is because insurance is like any other business - each company has a lot of freedom to charge what they want for their own product.  This is important to know when comparing one auto insurance company to another.  You might get one or two quotes and think that this is what you're going to pay, but if you really take the time to compare between several different companies you might find that there is a huge difference in price and you may stumble on one that gives you a lot of discounts and makes your rate that much more affordable.  Of course you also need to choose an auto insurance company that seems easy to work with; if you do need to file a claim you need to be able to contact them immediately and they need to be easy to work with.  So make sure you get a company that is also friendly and that has good customer service as well.

If you're looking for an online auto insurance quote, you're actually in luck.  Many insurance companies these days are offering online services for quotes, as well as claims, renewals, payments, and any other services you need.  Getting an online auto insurance quote is possible for companies that are strictly operated via the web and those traditional insurance carriers as well.

So what will you need to get started, and how can you compare all the online auto insurance quotes you get to be sure that you're getting accurate information?

Information Needed for an Online Auto Insurance Quote

Using an online service is much like talking to an insurance rep over the phone.  You'll need your car's VIN which is on your registration, your driver's license number, the information about your medical coverage at work, your current insurance binder, and information about any tickets or accidents you've had in the last three years.

It's tempting for some people to fudge the information they give when looking for online auto insurance quotes such as not mentioning certain tickets they've gotten or being dishonest about how often the car is driven.  However, when the insurance company actually finds out the truth, and they will find out the truth, this could render your insurance coverage invalid.  If an accident were to happen this could be disastrous for you.

When you do look at online auto insurance quotes it's important that you be sure you're using all the same information when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles.  If you raise your coverage or lower your deductible the premium will probably go up, and if you don't notice the difference in these factors you could be comparing inaccurate numbers.  Some online auto insurance quotes just use a particular number for coverage and deductible and if you don't notice this then you don't have the right information in front of you.

Companies That Offer This Service

Remember too that you can get an online auto insurance quote from companies that also have brick-and-mortar stores as well.  Don't just rely on the companies that only operate online, but check with some of the more traditional companies as well.  Typically they offer an online auto insurance quote service to save their customers time and effort.  You might even start with the current company you're with now and see if your rate would stay the same or be adjusted because of your age, and so on.

Getting an online auto insurance quote makes it easier for you to compare rates without having to spend all afternoon on the phone hunting down companies, giving them the same information, and so on.  Because the information is basically the same as what you would give to a real live agent, you can rest assured that the quote you're going to get will be accurate.  This service that's provided by online carriers and standard insurance companies as well makes it quicker and easier for the customers, so don't hesitate to take advantage of it.

If you're ready to start getting some auto insurance quotes, you may dread the time it's going to take you to pull out the phone book, dial up agent after agent, read off the same information, and wait for your information.  This can be a long and tedious process, but of course it's necessary as no two insurance carriers are the same - you can get quotes that are literally hundreds of dollars different for the same car, the same driver, the same location.  Getting a variety of auto insurance quotes is necessary to get the best deal around, but is there any way to bypass all this boring tedium and get many quotes at once?  If you do this online, how do you know you're getting the best rate there is?

The internet does allow you to get a variety of auto insurance quotes online and on some sites this is very handy; you punch in the same information just once and you get three or four comparison quotes.  You may have heard the advertisements for geico.com, esurance.com, and so many others.  There are a few precautions to think about however.  For one, while these websites will ask you the most important questions they may not actually be able to adjust your information accordingly if you have exceptional circumstances.  As an example, some companies will give you a small discount if you're insuring a second car that is only used for errands during the day or is rarely used at all.  Most online companies that give you auto insurance quotes assume that any car you have will be used for commuting back and forth to work.  But for those who have a second car or those who work from their homes and really don't drive that much, where is your discount?  If you talk to a real live person when getting your auto insurance quotes you can ask outright for such discounts and see what they say.  Also, it's hard to tell sometimes if those online companies are giving you accurate information about their competitors and their rates as well.  You want to trust that the auto insurance quotes they claim are from their competitors are actually true, but this is hard to judge sometimes.

Many companies are now offering to provide auto insurance quotes from their own websites, and sometimes it's better to visit these individual sites one at a time than to rely on the information you get from a competing company.  No one likes to spend an afternoon calling around for auto insurance quotes, and going online can sometimes be just as tedious, but remember that you're saving yourself some money in the long run.  If it means that you can find a rate or insurance carrier that is a few hundred dollars cheaper than what you're paying now or cheaper than the last quote you got, isn't it worth it?  So think of shopping around for auto insurance quotes as being an investment in savings.

Auto insurance providers are in the habit of giving discounts to customers that meet certain criteria, such as safe drivers, those with anti-theft devices, and those of a particular age.  There are usually good reasons for this; safe drivers are less likely to have a claim filed against them, and so on.  Older drivers can get an increased discount with AARP auto insurance, and have many benefits added onto their policy as well.  You may be wondering about what those benefits are and if you need to be a member to qualify for AARP auto insurance rates and discounts.

Added Benefits with AARP Auto Insurance

Some of the added benefits you may receive with AARP auto insurance include:

First Accident Forgiveness.  This means that your policy would not increase with your first accident that would normally have caused a premium increase; this is provided that there have been no accidents or major violations in the past five years.

Reduced Deductible.  If you keep yourself free of tickets or accidents, your collision deductible will be reduced by $150; they continue to reduce the deductible by $50 each year until the deductible amount actually reaches $0.  This means no increase in the premium as the deductible decreases.

AARP auto insurance also includes a waiver of your deductible if you're involved in an accident that isn't your fault, and a $100 waiver of your deductible if you use an approved repair shop.

Common Questions about AARP Auto Insurance

Yes, you do need to be a member of AARP in order to receive their specialized policy.  There are many advantages to being a member of AARP and reduced auto insurance is just one of them, so it may be worth your while to investigate this option.  Also, AARP auto insurance is not actually offered by AARP as they are not an insurance company but is offered through the Hartford Insurance Company to AARP members.

This policy is also for a 12-month term, meaning that your rates are locked in for a full year and not just six months as with other policies.  Also, you are guaranteed renewal of your policy as long as you maintain your payments and are able to drive.  There are of course a few other minor restrictions but for the most part you will continue to have your policy without interruption.

Other Ways to Save With AARP Auto Insurance

Being of a particular age is not the only way you can save with AARP auto insurance.  They also offer a multi-car discount, a defensive driver credit, a good student discount, a defensive driver credit (if you complete their course satisfactorily), and discounts for air bags and anti-theft systems.

Those who are of a particular age have earned some respect and deserve every credit and discount they can get.  If this is you, then you should consider taking advantage of the discounts and additional benefits you may be eligible for with AARP auto insurance.

Every so often a particular corporation or individual comes along that completely changes the way companies do business in any one industry.  Names like Microsoft, Starbucks, and even George Lucas may come to your mind.  And it's true that in some ways, the GEICO auto insurance company changed the way many insurance companies have done business, both online and in person.

Online Quotes with GEICO Auto Insurance

For one thing, the GEICO auto insurance company was one of the first to not just offer online quotes but to aggressively market the use of this system as well.  Customers no longer needed to sit on the phone with all their information and paperwork and tie up an insurance rep's time with all the details.  They could enter it into a computer screen themselves and get their quote immediately.  Another feature that the GEICO auto insurance offered with their online quoting system was to simultaneously enter the same information into competitor's databases as well so that potential customers could get their rates to compare at the same time.  This was a new and unique feature that was not so readily offered up until this time.

Today there are many things that people do online and that they expect to be available to them through the internet.  It's not uncommon for a person to visit their favorite retail store, supermarket, or even pharmacy website to check and see if the products they want are available and the prices.  Comparing insurance rates is no different, and GEICO auto insurance really stepped up to the plate by responding to this and offering their online service. 

GEICO Auto Insurance and Advertising

Insurance companies have been advertising their services for years, but with the ease of use when it comes to GEICO auto insurance and their aggressive advertising techniques, other companies have had to follow suit.  While most television commercials for auto insurance in times past were very serious and somewhat business-like, GEICO introduced their talking gecko lizard and a cartoon icon was born.  This made auto insurance seem like less of a tedious hassle with people; whether or not this is true is another matter, but at least customers were able to relate to GEICO auto insurance by remembering their little lizard.

Changing the Industry

It's true that GEICO auto insurance may not have completely changed the face of the industry; auto insurance is auto insurance.  But for many customers who appreciate being able to get quotes for their insurance without having to pick up the phone and who want to see other comparable rates at one time, GEICO has changed things for them.

People want things to be faster and easier for them, at least as much as possible.  Shopping for car insurance is always going to be somewhat tedious, but with the online availability of GEICO auto insurance at least it has become somewhat easier to do this, not just with their company but with so many others as well.

Who doesn't like getting free things?  Anything we can get without having to pay for it is usually a good thing, regardless of what it is.  And when it comes to a free auto insurance quote, you may wonder just how to get one without the least amount of hassle, pressure, and obligation.

In reality you should be able to get a free auto insurance quote from virtually any insurance agent over the phone or online.  Some however may have a hard time cooperating with you when you call up for a quote.  Why is this?

Some agents realize that the world of insurance is very competitive, and some work on commission only.  They feel a lot of pressure to get potential clients to sign with them, and know how to transfer that pressure when it's time for a sales pitch.  Getting a free auto insurance quote from agents and reps like this is usually going to be next to impossible.  Typically they want you to come into their office so they can offer you not just your car insurance but try to sell you on homeowner's insurance, life insurance, renter's insurance, and everything else they handle.  While you may technically be able to get a free auto insurance quote from them, meaning that it won't cost you money, it may cost you time and having to sit through a high-pressure sales pitch.

If dealing with people to get your free auto insurance quote is not quite your thing, then it's time to turn to the internet.  Most companies offer the ability for you to get free quotes through their website.  This means companies that operate strictly on the web and traditional companies as well.  You can try geico.com, esurance.com, and many other online companies, but more traditional companies such as State Farm, Allstate, and virtually all others allow you to get a free auto insurance quote from their website.  You of course need all the same information for online quotes that you need for when you talk to a live person; this includes your car's VIN, your driver's license number, your current insurance information, and accurate information about any tickets or accidents you have.

It can be a little bit tedious to get those free auto insurance quotes as you do need to enter in all your information over and over again, but then again, getting quotes is the only way you can be sure of whether or not you're paying too much for insurance and should make some adjustments.  While you're legally obligated to carry some insurance on your vehicle in order to actually drive, there are other types of coverage that you don't necessarily need and changing those coverage levels and deductibles can greatly affect your insurance premiums.  So consider the process you need to go through to get that free auto insurance quote as an investment in your finances; it can save you literally thousands in the long run.

Is there anything in the world more tedious and boring than spending an afternoon making phone call after call, looking for a good auto insurance quote?  You need to give the same information over and over again to agent after agent and compare rates, coverage, deductibles, and so on.  But of course it's necessary to do some shopping when you're in the market for an auto insurance quote as the right agent and carrier can save you literally hundreds of dollars over the course of a year or so.  But you might still be wondering if there are any shortcuts you can take in order to get the best auto insurance quote and any way to make this process much less tedious.

Thankfully there are some things you can do to make the process much less painful.  One is to be sure that you have all your paperwork in front of you before you go online or start calling around.  To get a complete auto insurance quote that's accurate you'll need your car's VIN which is on the registration; the make, model and year of the car; your driver's license number and date of expiration; information on your medical health insurance carrier; an approximate number of miles that your car is driven back and forth to work; accurate knowledge about your own driving record including tickets or accidents over the past three years; and information on your last insurance carrier.  If you have all these papers and information in front of you before you begin dialing or shopping online for your auto insurance quote it will make the process go much faster and cut down on your headaches of trying to dig up all this paperwork when you have an agent on the phone.

If you're looking to get an auto insurance quote online remember that you need to do some comparison shopping here as well.  You can of course start with your current carrier but don't discount those that operate online only.  This includes geico.com, esurance.com, and many other web-based insurance carriers.  There's no guarantee that they'll be lower than any other carrier but it pays to check them out and consider their auto insurance quote as well; if nothing else it gives you some numbers you can compare.

And when you do shop for an auto insurance quote be sure to mention to the agent any information that might help lower your rate.  For example, if you're opting for Comprehensive coverage which includes theft, tell them if you have any anti-theft devices on your car such as an alarm, lojack, and so on.  Ask if you get a discount for being a non-smoker, for wearing your seatbelt, for working out of your home and rarely driving, and so on.  You might not be able to actually lower your auto insurance quote with any of these items, but of course it doesn't hurt to mention them and ask if you are eligible.

These days it's no wonder that families are looking for ways to cut expenses however and wherever they can.  For many, when they review their monthly bills they see that car insurance is at the top of the list of items that are necessary but incredibly expensive.  So how can you apply for and be eligible for discount auto insurance?  There are many ways to get a discount on your policy and tips and tricks to do this, so let's examine a few things here and see if you're eligible to use any of these.

It Starts With You

Discount auto insurance starts with you.  How is your driving?  Getting a ticket, being responsible for an accident, and of course a major citation such as DUI/DWI will increase your rates, and sometimes by quite a bit.  On the other hand, many carriers offer discount auto insurance for safe drivers.  The longer you go without a ticket or citation, the more you can save.  Of course driving safely is important for more reasons than just the money you save; it could actually mean saving your life!  But when you consider how much your rate increases by when you get a ticket or worse, and realize how you can be eligible for that discount auto insurance when you avoid tickets, then this is just more reason for you to slow down and drive safely.

Knowing the Details

Every carrier is different when it comes to discount auto insurance; some offer discounts for various things while others do not.  The most common reasons that any carrier would offer discount auto insurance to their customers include their age (it's assumed that the older you get, the less impatient you are on the road and the more experience you have with driving), anti-theft devices such as an alarm or "the Club," being a member of certain civic organizations such as AARP, being a military veteran, driving fewer miles such as with a second car that is only used for errands or for persons who work from their home, having additional or supplemental medical insurance, being a non-smoker, and wearing your seatbelt.  Some also offer discount auto insurance if you have more than one vehicle insured with them, or add another insurance policy such as renter's insurance or homeowner's insurance. 

The key with all of these items is that sometimes you need to speak up and ask if any of them make you eligible for discount auto insurance.  Some agents will offer these things because they know it's good for business whereas others try to get as much money from their customers as possible and never mention anything about discounts they're eligible for.

When shopping for quotes or rates, make sure you mention any of these that apply to you and ask outright for discount auto insurance based on these.  Make a note of all the quotes and then you can make the best decision as to whether or not it's the best policy for you.

Is it any wonder that today people are in search of the cheapest auto insurance they can possibly find?  Costs for everything are skyrocketing, and most families are searching for ways to trim their budget however they can.  But some may wonder if there's anything they can do to get the cheapest auto insurance possible for them; aren't most insurance companies about the same?  And don't you just get what insurance you get and that's it?

In reality there are many things you can do to be eligible for the cheapest auto insurance and these things don't always start with your insurance carrier.  What this means is that in order to get the cheapest auto insurance possible, you need to first of all be a good driver.  One ticket or accident can increase your policy by 10% or more, and a DUI or DWI can increase it even more.  All of this can add up to hundreds of dollars extra in auto insurance every single year.  Driving safely is best for you and your overall safety but it can also save you quite a bit of money as well.

You can also be eligible for the cheapest auto insurance if you understand the common reasons that insurance carriers give discounts.  This includes wearing your seatbelt, having an anti-theft system on your car, having supplemental health insurance through your employer, being of a particular age, and so on.  All of these things affect how likely it is that your insurance carrier will need to pay on a claim and how much they would pay if and when that happens.  Sometimes however your carrier will not offer you the cheapest auto insurance possible by asking about these things.  It pays to speak up and mention these, or ask outright what types of discounts they offer and why.  Very often you need to be proactive about this.  It might seem strange that as the customer you need to ask for the cheapest auto insurance but it pays to do so.

And the last thing you can do to get the cheapest auto insurance possible is to shop around for it.  Don't hesitate to set aside an afternoon with your registration, driver's license, and current insurance binder and make some calls or do some shopping online.  Work with the coverage amounts you have and the deductibles as well.  The less coverage and higher deductibles you have, the lower your insurance.  You need to consider if these risks are worth getting the cheapest auto insurance that's available to you, but many who don't drive that much and who are safe drivers find that it's definitely worth it since they rarely make claims on their insurance anyway.  You can also do this for a second car, or if you work from your home and don't commute, and any other situation that makes a claim less likely.  The bottom line is that you need to be proactive and shop around for the cheapest auto insurance in order to find it.

When you write your car insurance check every month you are probably wondering what in the world you can do to reduce your auto insurance rates.  It may seem to you that every year your rate goes up and sometimes this is true through no fault of your own; some insurance companies just raise their rates to keep up with inflation so that they can pay their own bills.  But there are things about your own driving record that affect your auto insurance rates and while you may have a general idea about what they are and how they affect your rates, it pays to review this information to be sure you understand the situation completely.

Moving Violations and Auto Insurance Rates

In general, having just one minor ticket on your record is not going to affect your auto insurance rates quite that much.  If you were speeding only a few miles over the limit or missed a stop sign, you may have a small increase in your rates by only a few percentage points.  It's when you have more than one ticket and they are considered major that you'll really feel the pinch.

For instance, when you have a speeding ticket usually the insurance company will ask how much over the limit it was; less then 10 miles, 11-15 miles, or 16 and over.  Obviously the person at 16 and over the limit is going to see higher auto insurance rates than the person that's less than 10.  And just having one such ticket is not usually a big deal but having more than one in a three-year period is.  Major moving violations also will affect your auto insurance rates in a big way.  DWI or DUI will increase your rate usually by at least 10%, and sometimes 25% or more.  Now imagine what your auto insurance rates will be like if you have a DUI and a few tickets as well! 

How Much You Drive

Would you believe how much you drive and why you drive also affects your auto insurance rates?  The more your car is on the road; the more likely it is to be in an accident.  If you commute long distances you're going to be paying more than the person that doesn't work or that works from home.  And if you use your car for your business in any way, this too will affect your auto insurance rates.  Your insurance company knows that this increases the risk they take in insuring you and the risk they take in having to one day settle a claim.

There may not be much you can do about where you work but you can think about how you use your car and consider if it's not time to start carpooling and using other means of transportation as much as possible.  Since auto insurance rates probably won't be coming down any time soon, you need to do everything that's in your power to lower the rates yourself as much as you can.