How to Gather Your Information Before Shopping
A few documents and a few minutes of thought before you start will get you quotes you can actually trust.
Have your current policy, your driver's license, and your vehicle details on hand
Before you request quotes, pull together your current policy declarations page, your driver's license, your vehicle's year, make, model and VIN if you have it, and a rough sense of your driving history for the past several years. This is what an insurer needs to give you a real price instead of a placeholder.
The reason it matters more at this age is that your situation may have changed since you last shopped. Fewer miles driven, a car that's paid off, a second driver who no longer lives with you. An insurer can only price what you tell them, so the more accurate your information, the closer the quote will be to what you'd actually pay.
Your current policy tells you what to compare against
Your declarations page lists your current coverage limits, your deductibles, and any discounts you're getting now. Without it, you're comparing a new quote to a vague memory of what you pay, which isn't a fair comparison.
Look for the liability limits specifically, not just the total premium. A quote with lower limits will often show a lower price, and that's not actually a better deal if it leaves you less protected than you are now.
Also check for any endorsements on your current policy, like roadside assistance or accident forgiveness. If you want to keep those, you'll need to ask for them by name when you get new quotes, since they don't carry over automatically.
If you've taken a defensive driving course or a mature driver course recently, find the completion certificate. Some insurers ask for it directly rather than taking your word for it.
Your driving record is what insurers actually price against
Insurers pull your driving record themselves, but knowing what's on it before you shop means no surprises. A ticket or an accident from several years back may or may not still count, depending on the insurer and the state.
If you're not sure what's on your record, your state's department of motor vehicles can usually provide a copy or tell you how to request one. This is worth doing if it's been a while since you checked.
Also have a sense of how the car is used now. If you're driving less than you used to, retired or driving only locally, that's information insurers weigh, and it's worth mentioning when you get quotes rather than waiting for them to ask.
If anyone else drives the car regularly, have their license information ready too. An insurer will usually want to know who else is a household driver.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need my VIN to get an accurate quote?
It helps, but it's not always required to get a starting quote. The year, make and model will get you close, and the VIN lets an insurer confirm the exact trim and safety features, which can affect the price.
What if I don't remember my current coverage limits?
Your declarations page will have them, and if you can't find it, your current insurer can send you a copy or you can usually view it online. It's worth getting this before you compare quotes, so you know whether a new offer actually matches what you have.
Does my credit affect my quote?
In many states it can be a factor, but not in all of them. This is set by state law, so check with your state's insurance department or ask the insurer directly whether it applies to you.
Should I get quotes from my current insurer too?
Yes, it's worth asking your current insurer for an updated quote alongside new ones. Rates change over time even with the same company, and you may qualify for a discount now that you didn't before.
How far back does my driving history matter?
This depends on the insurer and the state, since each one sets its own window for how long a ticket or accident affects your rate. Your state DMV or your current insurer can tell you what applies to your record.
Once you have these details together, you're ready to see what different insurers would actually charge you.
This week, find your current declarations page and set it next to your driver's license. Request a copy of your driving record from your state DMV if you haven't checked it recently. Write down your vehicle's year, make, model and VIN, and note how many miles you drive in a typical year now. If you've completed a driving course, locate the certificate. With all of that in hand, you'll be able to answer an insurer's questions accurately on the first try, which is what gets you a quote you can actually rely on.
