Who owns Direct Auto insurance?

To get car insurance for the first time, drivers need to decide what coverage they need, gather their personal and vehicle information, and shop around for the best policy at the lowest price. A first-time driver should expect to pay up to 300% more for coverage than someone with more experience. But with research and a little bit of searching, first-time drivers can still find a policy that fits their budget.… read full answer

How To Get Car Insurance for the First Time: 5 Tips

1. Determine what type of coverage you want to purchase.

Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers property damage and injuries to other drivers in accidents that you cause. Some states also require other types of coverage, like uninsured motorist and personal injury protection. Plus, you should consider purchasing extra coverage to protect yourself in more situations.

2. Gather your personal and vehicle information.

To get car insurance quotes and ultimately purchase a policy, you will need to provide personal information such as your driver’s license number, date of birth, address, occupation, driving history and insurance history. You will also need to have your vehicle registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN).

3. Get at least three quotes from different insurance companies.

Every insurance company has its own way of calculating premiums, so getting multiple quotes increases your chances of finding the best deal possible.

4. Pick a company

While price will be an important factor when choosing an insurance company, you’ll also want to consider the insurer’s coverage options, available discounts, ease of doing business and overall reputation.

5. Get insured

Once you choose an insurance company, it’s time to buy your policy. You’ll get a physical or digital copy of your policy, and you’ll need to look over it to make sure you understand the fine print before you sign. The policy will usually take effect once you make your first payment.

Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Car Insurance for the First Time

One of the most common mistakes that drivers make when getting car insurance for the first time is only purchasing the minimum amount of insurance coverage. Although this is a great way to save money on your premium, it can cost you a lot more later on if you get into an accident.

You should also avoid lying about your driving history when getting quotes. Insurance companies will always check your driving record before selling you a policy, which means that you could end up paying more than your original quote if you’re not honest.

Finally, make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Car insurance can be complicated, but reading the fine print and understanding your policy will make your experience much smoother if you ever need to file a claim.

First-Time Car Insurance Premiums

As a first-time driver, your insurance costs are going to be high because of your lack of experience, but that doesn’t mean savings opportunities are nonexistent. Be sure to ask about every available discount that you qualify for, and check to see if your insurance company gives a discount for paying for the whole year in full.

As time goes on and you gain more experience driving, you’ll qualify for better prices, so take the time to occasionally shop around for quotes or revisit your current rate with your insurer to find out if you can get it lowered.

The best way to get cheaper car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies and then switch to whichever insurer offers the coverage you want at the cheapest rate. Other ways to get cheaper car insurance include taking advantage of discounts, improving your driving record, and raising your credit score.… read full answer

10 Ways to Get Cheaper Car Insurance

1. Compare quotes every 6-12 months.

Every car insurance company calculates premiums slightly differently, so the quote you get from one company can easily be hundreds of dollars more expensive than another company’s quote. Getting quotes from multiple insurers every time you need to renew your policy can help you realize if you’re overpaying for the same amount of coverage.

2. Take advantage of discounts.

All major car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, which can save drivers as much as 35% in some cases. For instance, many insurers offer multi-policy and multi-car discounts, as well as good student and good driver discounts, and more.

3. Increase your deductible.

Raising your deductible will lower your premium, though it’s important to choose a deductible amount that you can afford in an emergency. A car insurance deductible is an amount that you have to pay out of pocket before your insurer will cover the rest. Deductibles apply to several types of coverage, including collision and comprehensive insurance.

4. Improve your credit score.

Insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores, where allowed by state law since studies have shown that these scores effectively indicate a driver’s likelihood of filing a claim. Given that insurance scores are based on credit report information, raising your credit score can help reduce your rate over time.

5. Consider usage-based insurance.

Usage-based insurance is a type of car insurance that calculates your premium based on your driving habits. Each company’s usage-based program varies, but most consider your total mileage, braking, acceleration, and speed. These programs are ideal for safe drivers, especially those who do not use their cars for long commutes or frequent trips.

6. Choose a car that is inexpensive to insure.

Cars that are particularly fast, powerful, and/or costly to repair are among the most expensive to insure. Insurers also charge higher premiums for cars that are more likely to be stolen. The next time you go car shopping, compare insurance quotes for different models in advance with this in mind. And if your premiums are prohibitively expensive now, consider trading in your vehicle for a car that is cheap to insure.

7. Take a defensive driving course.

In some states, insurance companies are required to give you a discount for completing a defensive driving course. Even where it isn't mandatory, insurers will sometimes provide a discount to encourage customers to improve their driving techniques.

If your insurer does not lower your premium just for taking a course, working on your driving skills will still pay off in the long run and help you keep your record clean. On that note, certain states also allow you to take a course in order to prevent driver’s license points from affecting your car insurance rates.

8. Consider your coverage types and amounts.

All the different types of car insurance can make it difficult to determine what exactly is worth paying for. At a minimum, you need to fulfill your state’s requirements and also purchase any coverage your lender or lessor requires. But beyond that, you can weigh whether each add-on coverage option is worth the price.

For instance, maybe you should drop uninsured motorist property damage insurance from your policy if you already have collision insurance. Or maybe you don’t need rental reimbursement coverage anymore because you could borrow a family member’s car if needed.

9. Practice good driving habits.

Moving violations like speeding tickets signal to your insurer that you are a risky driver, as do serious convictions like reckless driving. By driving safely, you can keep yourself safe and your premium low. If you have tickets or at-fault accidents on your driving record already, work on driving carefully from now on, since they will only affect your rate for a few years.

10. Check out local and regional companies.

Large car insurance companies spend billions on advertising every year, but smaller insurers may be able to provide the cheapest premiums in some cases. So, when you’re shopping around, make sure to compare quotes from companies of all sizes. You can use WalletHub’s cheap car insurance guide as a starting point. Just click on your state to compare the cheapest insurers.

Car insurance premiums are based on drivers’ individual risk factors as well as the coverage types and limits they choose. Check out WalletHub's full guide on the factors that affect car insurance rates for more information.

Yes, you can get a car insurance quote without a car if you have the year, make, and model of the car you are considering buying. If you do not plan to buy a car, you can get a quote for non-owner car insurance by calling a local agent. Most major insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, but they usually only provide quotes over the phone.… read full answer

How to Get an Insurance Quote Without a Car

1. Find the make, model, and year for a car you’re interested in purchasing.
2. Use the general vehicle information and your personal details to get a quote online, over the phone, or at a local agent’s office.
3. Explore supplemental coverage options, like comprehensive or collision.
4. Compare quotes from several companies so you have a good idea of the price range.
5. Look into potential discounts you may be able to qualify for.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to purchase insurance without specific details about your car, like the vehicle identification number (VIN), registration info, and current mileage. However, it can be useful to get a quote for potential vehicles so you better understand what a policy might cost.

Getting Car Insurance Without a Car

If you do not plan to buy a car but you still want coverage, consider getting non-owner insurance. It is a type of coverage for licensed drivers who don’t own a car but sometimes drive using rental cars or borrowed vehicles. It is less expensive than regular insurance and can be a great coverage option while you test-drive potential vehicles.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to getting car insurance.