What Questions Will an Insurer Ask
An insurer asks about your driving history, your vehicle, and who else drives it, then prices your policy from what you tell them.
The same core questions, asked by every insurer
Every insurer asks for your license number, your driving record, the vehicle you want to insure, and who else lives in your household or drives the car regularly. They ask how long you've been licensed and whether you've had any accidents or violations. They ask where you park the car overnight, since that affects risk.
Beyond that, some insurers ask about things specific to you. If you've taken a defensive driving course, they may ask for the certificate. If you've retired or drive fewer miles than you used to, they may ask about your annual mileage. What they ask depends partly on what might lower your rate, so it helps to mention anything relevant even if they don't ask directly.
Your driving record decides how deep the questions go
If your record is clean, the questions tend to stay simple. License number, vehicle information, how long you've driven, and you're through the bulk of it.
If you've had a recent accident or a ticket, expect follow-up questions. When did it happen, who was at fault, was anyone injured. The insurer needs these details because they change how they price the policy, not because they're trying to catch you out.
A vision test or a renewed license can also come up if your state requires one at your age. The insurer may ask when you last renewed, since a lapsed or restricted license changes how they view your risk. If your license has any restrictions on it, such as daytime-only driving, mention it, since it's the kind of thing they'll find anyway when they check your driving record.
If it's been years since you've shopped for a policy, your current insurer already has most of this on file. A new insurer is starting from nothing, so be ready to answer in more detail than you might expect.
Your vehicle and household change what else they need to know
They'll ask for the year, make, and model of your car, along with how you use it. Daily driving, occasional errands, or a car that mostly sits in the garage all get priced differently.
They'll also ask who else drives the car. A spouse, a grandchild who visits often, anyone with regular access to the vehicle usually needs to be listed, since an unlisted driver can cause problems later if that person is ever in an accident.
If you've made changes to the car, added anti-theft equipment or hand controls for example, say so. These can affect how the insurer prices the policy, and they won't know unless you tell them.
If you're switching insurers, have your current policy on hand. It answers most of these questions in one place and saves you from guessing at details from memory.
Questions people ask about this
Do I have to answer every question an insurer asks?
You don't have to, but leaving out information can cause problems if you ever file a claim. If an insurer later finds out something you didn't disclose, like an undisclosed driver or a modification to the car, they can deny a claim or cancel the policy. It's safer to answer completely.
Will an insurer ask about my health or medical conditions?
Most insurers don't ask about health directly, since auto insurance is priced on driving history and vehicle use, not medical history. Some states do require insurers to consider whether your license has any medical restrictions attached to it. Check with your state's DMV if you're unsure what's on your license.
What happens if I don't know the answer to a question?
Say so rather than guessing. For things like the exact date of a past violation, the insurer can often look up the details through your driving record. Guessing wrong is worse than saying you're not certain.
Can an insurer ask about my driving test or when I last renewed my license?
Yes, and it's worth having that date ready. Some states require more frequent renewals or vision tests at certain ages, and an insurer may ask to confirm your license is current and unrestricted.
Will the insurer ask about other drivers in my household who aren't on the policy?
They usually ask who lives in your household and has access to the car, whether or not that person will be listed as a driver. This is to make sure the policy reflects who actually drives the vehicle, since an unlisted regular driver can affect a claim later.
Know what you'll be asked, and compare quotes with the answers already in hand.
Pull together your driver's license number, your current policy if you have one, and the details of any accidents or tickets from the past few years. Write down the year, make, and model of your car, along with who else drives it regularly. If you've taken a defensive driving course or made changes to your car, have that information ready too. Having all of this in hand before you start getting quotes means you can answer every question the same way for each insurer, which makes the quotes easier to compare.
