Getting car insurance quotes can be a hassle if you don’t know what information you need to get an accurate quote. Here’s the information you should have handy when you’re getting a quote for car insurance, and details on how to make the quoting process as easy as possible.
- The importance of accuracy
- Information I need to know about my car for insurance
- Do I need to provide a VIN to get car insurance?
- Understanding the basics of car insurance coverage
- Important information you need to know about your car insurance policy
- Important auto insurance documents you must keep
- Conclusion
The importance of accuracy
It’s important to provide accurate information to the insurance agent or company to ensure your quote is correct and to avoid potential issues that can arise later. For example, failure to provide accurate information could result in cancellation of your policy or denial of claims. It could also result in you not having the coverage that you need.
Information I need to know about my car for insurance
When getting a car insurance quote, you’ll need to provide personal details about yourself and your car. Before you get your quote, have the following information handy. If you already have an insurance policy, most of this information can be found on your policy’s declaration page.
Personal information- Legal name
- Legal names and driver’s license numbers of household family members
- Legal names and driver’s license numbers of those who drive your car regularly
- Home address
- Driving history
- Email address
- Phone number
- Year, make and model
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Garaging address
- Ownership Length
- Title status
- Lienholder (if any)
- Odometer mileage
- Estimated annual miles driven
- Safety features and anti-theft devices
In addition to your personal and vehicle information, it’s also good to do some research on the insurance companies you’re getting quotes from. Make sure the companies have strong financial stability and good reputations for customer service. Plymouth Rock is one of those companies!
Do I need to provide a VIN to get car insurance?
A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique number that identifies an individual car. The VIN number can be used to trace the year, make and model of a car, as well as other information like paint and optional factory accessories. The VIN is also used to track ownership and accident history.
You may not need to provide the VIN to get a car insurance quote, but it can save you some time inputting vehicle information and allow you to see more accurate pricing. For example, if you quote with just the vehicle’s basic information, your quote may not reflect the true value and safety features of your individual car.
A VIN is not always required when quoting, but is typically needed when it’s time to purchase the policy.
Understanding the basics of car insurance coverage
While it’s important to have information about you and your car for your insurance quote, it’s equally important to understand the insurance policy itself. When getting a car insurance quote, you will also be asked to decide on coverages, limits and deductibles for your policy.
An insurance policy is made of several different coverages that pay in different situations. Limits are the maximum amount of money an insurer will pay up to in the event of a claim. A deductible is what you pay before your insurance company will start providing coverage for expenses.
Each state has their own minimum insurance requirements, and if an insurance company sells a policy to you it must include at least the state-mandated coverages and limits.
A typical car insurance policy covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability. In some states they must also provide personal injury protection (PIP) for medical and related expenses. Coverages for damage to your own vehicle are typically optional but are recommended. In some states, additional optional medical expense coverage is available.
| Types of insurance coverage |
| Medical expense coverage |
| Bodily injury liability coverage |
| Property damage liability coverage |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage |
| Collision coverage |
| Comprehensive coverage |
Medical expense coverage can help pay for your medical expenses after an accident.
Bodily injury liability pays for injuries you’re liable for causing to someone else in a car accident.
Property damage liability helps reimburse another person for their property you are liable for damaging in an accident.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for medical expenses when you are injured by another driver who doesn’t have insurance (uninsured) or one who doesn’t have enough coverage for the injuries they caused (underinsured). This coverage may also pay for injuries from a hit-and-run accident.
Collision coverage helps pay for the cost to repair or replace your car after it hits another car or object, is hit by another car, or if it rolls over.
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for physical damage to your own vehicle not related to a collision. This includes things like fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters.
Important information you need to know about your car insurance policy
Once you have your new car insurance policy, be sure to keep the following information in mind:
Policy dates
If you’re switching insurance providers, it’s a smart idea to have your new policy start before your current one ends. Gaps in coverage can make buying insurance more costly in the future. With that in mind, stay on top of your insurance’s renewal date with automatic billing.
Insurance cards
In most states, you are required to carry proof of insurance when you drive. Some states allow electronic proof of insurance produced on your mobile phone, but it’s always a good idea to have the physical card inside your car.
Coverage details
It’s also smart to know what coverages your policy contains and what limits and deductibles you carry. Ensure your coverage limits are what you need to best protect you and your car. Being informed means you don’t have to second guess if you’re covered in an accident.
Important auto insurance documents you must keep
When you purchase a car insurance policy, you will receive several important policy documents. These include your policy contract, declarations page and insurance card.
Policy contract
The policy is the binding contract between you and the insurance company. It details all of the terms, conditions, and exclusions applicable to the coverages you bought.
Declarations page
This document is a summary of your insurance policy. It contains details like coverage types, limits, deductibles, premium costs, endorsements, effective dates, covered operators and more.
Insurance card
The insurance card is your proof of insurance. Keep this card handy to produce, as law enforcement will ask for it if you are stopped.
Conclusion: What information do I need for car insurance?
Have information about yourself and your vehicle handy while you’re getting a quote to get the most accurate pricing. It’s also a smart idea to research the insurance company you’re quoting with and what coverages you need. Understanding your insurance policy and where to find important policy details can make your insurance experience go over more smoothly.
We know that getting car insurance can be a hassle, but we make it easy! Contact us today and see why our customers have trusted Plymouth Rock for over 40 years.
