Can I buy car insurance online?

As so much of our lives occur on the internet, you may wonder if you can buy car insurance online.

Maybe you’ve never purchased car insurance coverage and need some guidance, or you want to be more efficient with your time and are looking at your options. We understand your needs and have researched this question, with answers below.

Can I buy car insurance online?

Most companies today will allow you to buy car insurance online, but you may have to research to find the best terms and conditions. You can call an agent or visit a shop selling car insurance, but this may take up more of your valuable time. It’s often easier to turn to the internet instead.

What information will I need to buy car insurance online?

Each insurance company will need to see basic information first for everyone who you want to include on the policy, such as:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license data
• Driving history for each driver
• Vehicle information (year, make, odometer reading, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Information about your current insurer if you have one

Insurance companies often use your address to help set your rates. For example, underwriters refer to previous claims history for people who live around that ZIP code, which gives an idea of their risk.

Read more: Can I buy car insurance without a driver’s license?

Can I find my driving history online?

You can get this information from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website. You may need to pay a small fee. For example, you can order a Texas driving record for $4.

Driving history is one factor that affects car insurance rates. Experienced drivers with a clean history may expect to pay less for their insurance than others.

What car insurance will I need online?

There are several types of insurance. Some are required, and others are optional. These include:

Buying Liability Insurance Online

Every state (except for New Hampshire or Virginia) requires you to have minimum liability insurance for each vehicle. For example, Texas car insurance laws state that you need at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident in bodily injury liability cover, with $25,000 in property damage cover (30/60/25).

These are minimum figures, and you may want to increase them for additional protection.

Buying Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Online

You should also consider uninsured motorist coverage car insurance. Uninsured or underinsured coverage could help with your potential losses if you get into an accident with another driver who does not have any or adequate insurance.

Buying Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Online

Consider collision and comprehensive car insurance to cover your vehicle’s repair bills. The first type will cover repair or replacement costs for your car, no matter who is responsible for the accident.

The second type covers replacement or repairs if your vehicle is stolen or damaged in a fire, flood, collision with an animal, and certain other situations.

Buying Gap Insurance Online

If you buy a car using a loan, the leasing company will typically require you to have collision and comprehensive insurance in place. You may also want to look at gap insurance coverage whenever you have an outstanding lease or loan.

This type will help if the insurance company has to declare that your vehicle is a total loss due to a problem covered by your policy. Without GAP insurance, you may have to find the difference between the depreciated value and the outstanding amount on your lease agreement.

Buying Personal Injury Protection Online

Some states require you to get coverage from personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance companies. PIP will cover potential medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs for you and your passengers.

Other Insurance You Can Buy Online

The available insurance can sometimes vary from state to state. For example, you may be able to get medical payments (MedPay) coverage in certain states but not others. MedPay could cover medical bills for you and any passengers, no matter who was at fault.

You may be able to get rental reimbursement insurance. This cover will help if you need a rental car as your vehicle goes through appears due to an issue your policy covers.

Where is the best place to buy car insurance online?

You can visit each insurance company’s website if you have plenty of time to research. You’ll need to go through the same procedure on each site by providing the information you gathered and choosing your coverage types. You’ll then be able to get a quote and review and compare your options at the end of the process.

It is often better to use a dedicated site that allows you to compare car insurance instead. Here, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies in one go. In addition, comparison sites often have a guide to introduce you to each insurance company, which can help you to narrow down your choice.

Case Studies: Buying Car Insurance Online

Case Study 1: John’s Convenient Online Purchase

John, a busy working professional, wanted to buy car insurance without spending too much time on the process. He decided to try purchasing it online. He used a dedicated comparison site that allowed him to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies at once.

By providing his personal information and driving history, John quickly received several competitive quotes. He compared the coverage options and prices, ultimately finding a policy that suited his needs and budget. Within a matter of minutes, John completed the purchase online, saving him valuable time and effort.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Research Pays Off

Sarah was a meticulous shopper who wanted to make sure she found the best car insurance policy. She decided to research different insurance companies online and visit each company’s website individually. Sarah gathered information about her personal details, driving history, and the coverage types she desired.

She requested quotes from several companies and carefully reviewed the terms and conditions. After thorough comparison, Sarah made an informed decision and purchased her car insurance from a reputable provider with favorable coverage and competitive rates.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Hassle-Free Comparison Site Experience

Mark had recently moved to a new state and needed to switch his car insurance policy accordingly. Instead of contacting multiple agents or visiting physical offices, Mark chose to use a comparison site to buy car insurance online.

He entered his information and coverage preferences once, and the site generated quotes from various insurance providers operating in his new state. Mark was able to review the quotes side by side, comparing the coverage details, deductibles, and premiums.

Ultimately, he found a policy that met his needs and saved money compared to his previous coverage.

Buying Car Insurance Online: The Bottom Line

The best way to buy car insurance today is to do so online and use a comparison site. However, before you start, gather all your personal information (including your driving history), and consider what types of insurance you need above the minimum state requirements.