Guide to Buying Car Insurance Online in 2023
Deciding between purchasing car insurance online or working with an agent hinges on your insurance requirements and personal comfort. In this MarketWatch Guides Team article, we clarify where you can secure online car insurance and when consulting an agent might be the wiser choice.
If you’ve already decided to purchase car insurance online, utilize the tool above to kickstart your journey by comparing free quotes from top car insurance companies.
Key Insights:
- Numerous leading auto insurers facilitate online coverage purchases
- USAA, Erie Insurance, Nationwide, and Geico provide affordable online car insurance options
- Before procuring coverage online, diligent research into the insurance company is imperative
When it comes to securing auto insurance, you have three options: contacting a company agent, working with an independent broker, or buying car insurance online. You can also utilize a free auto quote tool, like ours, to help you find the ideal coverage, rate, and provider.
Here are the steps to follow for buying car insurance online:
- Obtain an Online Car Insurance Quote Start by requesting a quote through an insurer’s website or a free car insurance quote tool, such as the one below. You’ll need to provide:
- Your name and address
- Driver’s license number
- Make, model, and year of your vehicle
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Information about recent accidents, tickets, or insurance claims
- Compare Quotes After providing the necessary details, some websites may offer instant car insurance quotes that display the cost based on your chosen coverage. Other companies might request your contact information for an agent to provide quotes and options. Reach out to multiple companies to compare insurance plans.
- Choose Your Coverage Insurers offering online policies will guide you through the purchase process, making it straightforward. You’ll select your desired coverage and optional add-ons like roadside assistance, towing, or accident forgiveness.
- Make Payment Set up a payment method and provide the required information. Most insurers accept credit card payments, though some may charge a fee. Alternatively, you can pay through a bank by providing your routing number and account details.
- Obtain Your Insurance Card Finally, print your insurance card at home, or your insurer may mail you an ID card.
What to Consider When Buying Car Insurance Online:
If you’ve decided to buy auto insurance online, keep these key points in mind:
- Most major auto insurers offer online coverage sign-ups. Providers without online options typically require speaking to an agent, but much of the process can still be completed on their website.
- The process can take an hour or less if you have basic information ready about yourself, your driving history, and your vehicle. An online car insurance policy can become effective as soon as you make the first payment.
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