.
Once you know the questions to ask and the
coverage you want, it's time to comparison-shop by contacting insurance
companies and agencies. Here are some steps to follow:
- Contact a
Number of Companies: Include large companies that sell
auto insurance through their own agents, independent agents that sell
for several different insurance companies and "direct writers," or
insurance companies that sell to the public over the phone or on the
Internet.
- Get as
Many Quotes as Possible: Many states offer free
comparisons of auto insurance prices. You can also get quotes over the
phone.
- Use the
Internet: Some companies offer online quotes and even
provide comparison quotes from some of their largest competitors.
- Ask
Friends for Recommendations: Be sure to ask about
reliability and how quickly claims are processed.
- Check the
Insurance Companies' Complaint Records: You can find out
how many consumer complaints were filed against insurance companies
through the Web site of the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Look Up
the Companies' Consumer Satisfaction Ratings: You can
find these on the
J. D.
Power and Associates Web site.
- If You
Fall into the "Hard-to-Insure" Category Because of Past Accidents or
Moving Violations, Look for a Company That Offers "Nonstandard"
Coverage: If this isn't an option, you'll have to
purchase insurance through the company that's assigned through the
state's high-risk pool.
For More Information
Your state's insurance department is a
great source of information on auto insurance. Inquire about minimum auto
insurance requirements in the state, whether the insurance companies you
are considering are licensed and inquire about complaints. You can find
the number of your state insurance department in the telephone directory,
or visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Web site or
the
Consumer Action Web site
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