What Do You Need To Get Car Insurance?

Key Points:

• You can get a free quote online or over the phone from an insurance company using basic information about yourself, your driving history, and your vehicle.
• When you purchase a policy from a provider, you may need to provide more in-depth information about your driving history and vehicle.
• If you want to make changes to your policy, like adding drivers or vehicles, you’ll need additional identification information for both.

Whether you’re preparing to drive for the first time or need to go shopping for a new policy, you can streamline the process by gathering key information and documents beforehand. Fortunately, the list of information you’ll need to get a car insurance quote or buy a policy is short.

Below, we’ll cover the documents and information an insurance provider might ask you for in different situations. To help you kick off your search for quotes, we’ll also discuss two recommendations from our list of the best insurance companies in the industry.

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What Do You Need For Car Insurance?

To start a new car insurance policy, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Personal information
• Information about your driving history
• Vehicle information
• Banking information
• Supplemental information to qualify for discounts

Starting a car insurance policy doesn’t have to be intimidating. As long as you’re ready with all the information you need, the provider’s customer service agents will be there to support you and answer any questions you have.

Start by checking out what documents you need for car insurance. Then, visit the provider’s website, call the customer service line, or visit a local office to start your insurance policy.

You should be prepared to provide personal information like your driver’s license, driving history, vehicle information, banking information, and any supplemental documents for discount purposes.

1. Personal Information

First, you’ll need to provide the car insurance company with personal information like your full name, date of birth, and address. You’ll also need to provide your social security number, as most companies will conduct a credit score check to determine your car insurance rates.

Providing your driver’s license number and state helps verify you’re legally able to drive, and it allows insurance companies to review your driving history.

2. Information About Your Driving History

Next, you’ll answer questions about your driving history. The auto insurance company will need to know about recent tickets or citations, at-fault accidents, and any information about license suspension.

Insurance companies mostly ask for a history of three to five years, but this time frame will vary by state and provider.

3. Vehicle Information

You’ll then need to provide information about your car, including the year, make, and model to the insurer. You’ll also be asked for the vehicle identification number (VIN). This number is usually printed inside your car under the windshield on the driver’s side or inside the driver’s door.

In addition to this information about your vehicle, you may also be asked to provide:

• Vehicle mileage
• Address where the car is garaged
• Name of the registered owner
• Date of purchase

To qualify for discounts, you can gather information about safety and security features installed on the car like anti-theft devices, airbags, and more.

If you already have an existing car insurance policy on the vehicle, you may need to provide your new insurance company with your declaration page for your existing policy.

This lets the provider know you’re not allowing a lapse in coverage. It also shows the current coverage you have on the car, so the company can better assist you in purchasing similar coverage.

4. Banking Information

To start the policy, you’ll need to provide payment information. You can choose to enter credit card or bank account information to sign up for automatic payments. It may be a good idea to provide a voided check for verification purposes.

5. Supplemental Information To Qualify For Insurance Discounts

If you’d like to qualify for discounts, ask your insurance provider which ones it offers. You may need to show proof that you’re eligible, using things like:

• Proof of good grades with a recent report card
• Military I.D. card
• Proof of being a homeowner
• Proof of membership to a qualifying organization (like a credit union, alumni association, etc.)
• Completion certificate for a safe driving course or defensive driving course

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What Documents Do You Need To Make Changes To Your Insurance Coverage?

For any new insurance policy, you’ll likely have to provide a driver’s license and social security number, bank information, and vehicle information at the minimum.

When adding a new driver or vehicle to your policy, the information and documents you need are similar to what you need to start a new policy.

1. Adding A New Driver To Your Policy

What do you need for car insurance to add a new driver?

• New driver’s date of birth
• Their social security number
• Their driver’s license number
• Information about their driving history

2. Adding A New Vehicle To Your Policy

To add a new vehicle to your policy, you’ll need:

• Vehicle registration
• VIN
• Declaration page for that car’s existing policy

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How To Get Car Insurance

Before starting a car insurance policy, make sure to do your research, especially on coverage limits and deductibles. Below, we explain how to get car insurance by determining the coverage you need, getting a quote, and choosing a car insurance company.

How Do I Get Car Insurance For The First Time?

First, you’ll need to learn about the types of car insurance coverage and figure out which are best for you. It may be helpful to work with an insurance agent to help you determine how much car insurance coverage you need. Then, compare multiple car insurance quotes either through an agent or online and pick the one that works for you.

Each state’s laws have their own requirements for minimum coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. Virginia and New Hampshire are the only two states that don’t require motorists to carry any auto insurance. Beyond your state minimum insurance requirements for liability coverage, it can also be a good idea to add optional coverage to protect yourself from other incidents.

• Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage: Provides extra coverage in accidents and covers damage from events like theft or vandalism, fallen trees, or flooding.
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient insurance protection to cover the losses.
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay): Helps cover medical bills for you and your passengers after a car accident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits after an accident.

Optional Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies offer several add-on options, including gap insurance, roadside assistance and towing, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance. Depending on your needs, you may want to check out what options your insurer provides.

Shopping Around

After you determine the type of coverage, the next step is to shop around for auto insurance quotes. It’s best to compare multiple insurance companies so you can determine which one offers the best value for you.

Compare aspects like a provider’s customer satisfaction, coverage, availability in your state, and car insurance cost. Use car insurance estimate tools to find out what you may pay for the coverage you’re looking for.

Once you decide which insurance company you wish to purchase a policy from, contact the provider online or over the phone. You can also start a policy in person by visiting a local office.

Then, provide the necessary information including your driving record, information about your car, and which coverage you need. Provide billing information and pay any necessary down payment, and you’ll be good to hit the road. Just make sure you keep proof of insurance on you at all times while you drive.

How To Get Car Insurance As A Teenager

When you’re a teenager, one of the most exciting milestones is learning how to drive and getting your first car. However, teens must also take steps to make sure they’re insured before getting behind the wheel.

Sometimes, this means being added as a driver on a parent’s policy, while other times, it means starting a new policy all on your own for the first time. Here’s how to find the best car insurance for teens:

1. Shop around for the best car insurance providers. Many support high-risk or teenage drivers by offering lower insurance premiums than other companies.
2. Find out what coverage your state requires, and speak with a local agent to see which additional coverages may benefit you.
3. Provide the necessary information to start your policy online, over the phone, or in person.
4. Download the insurance company’s mobile app, if available. With this tool, you can keep your insurance ID card with you at all times and file an insurance claim if an accident occurs.

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What You Need To Get Car Insurance: Our Take

To get car insurance quotes, you’ll need to provide information about your vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as your recent driving history. In most cases, you can get estimates or approximate quotes without providing your VIN number or driver’s license information. However, to get the most accurate quote and to finalize your policy rate, you’ll need to give your driver’s license and vehicle registration information to an insurance agent.

Our Recommendations For Car Insurance

If you need a starting place on your insurance search, try one of the providers below. State Farm ranked highest out of dozens of insurance providers we researched and rated, and USAA is an affordable option for members of the military and their families.

State Farm: Best Overall

State Farm has a reputation for great customer service. The company has a large number of local agents who support customers with knowledgeable and friendly service. State Farm is also a great option for families with teens. Its teen driving program encourages good driving habits and rewards you with a discount when teens consistently drive safely. You can also get discounts for good grades and bundling multiple policies.

Read more: State Farm insurance review

USAA: Best For Military

USAA offers low rates for military members and their families, and it’s known for its high level of customer service. In addition to affordable rates, USAA offers a number of discounts for drivers with good grades and those who complete defensive driving courses.

Read more: USAA insurance review

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What Do You Need For Car Insurance?: FAQ

If you have questions about what you’ll need to get car insurance coverage, you’ll find answers below:

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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