Methods to Compare Car Insurance Rate Quotes

If you want to get the best deal on your auto insurance, you need to compare car insurance rate quotes. The chances are pretty low that the first company you speak with will offer you the best deal on the market. But how do you go about getting auto insurance quotes to compare? Here are the three basic methods, plus their advantages and disadvantages.

Call Around to Different Insurance Agencies

The most basic method to compare car insurance rate quotes is to get out the phone book and start calling agencies. You’ll speak to the different companies in person, and find out what their rates are for your situation.

Advantages: You’ll get to talk one-on-one with each insurance agency as you compare your car insurance rate quotes and get a feel for the people who will be working with you. You can easily evaluate their customer service and how easy they are to contact.

Disadvantages: Calling around to compare car insurance rate quotes takes a lot of time and effort. You’ll be exposed to pushy salespeople, and might even agree to a policy that isn’t the best one available to you because of a good sales pitch.

Use a Broker to Get Quotes

Insurance brokers act as middlemen who help you compare car insurance rate quotes from a number of different companies without having to get in touch with each yourself.

Advantages: Car insurance brokers have knowledge and experience with the local insurance climate, and can use that experience to help ferret out the best deal for you. They can save you time when you compare car insurance rate quotes. They know about scams, shady companies, and agencies with a poor customer service record.

Disadvantages: They may be swayed by commissions and personal preferences instead of choosing the best deals for you. They may not work with all insurance agencies, limiting your ability to compare car insurance rate quotes.

Compare Car Insurance Rate Quotes Online

By using the internet to compare car insurance rate quotes online, you can poll dozens of local insurance agencies and get a response within seconds.

Advantages: This is by far the easiest way to compare prices and find the best deals.  Compare car insurance rate quotes instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No pushy sales pitches. Quotes pulled from many different companies.

Disadvantages: No expert assistance. You need to do your own research when you compare car insurance rate quotes online.