What company is right for me?
You are in the right spot at quotehelper.net. Check our easy to read overview of the major services many companies offer, determine what features are important to you, and start shopping!

The first question you should ask yourself is if you want to do this alone or have help from an industry professional. If you are comfortable setting up your own coverage amounts and answering all the questions on-line by yourself, you can get a policy service easily. If you want an agent to help answer questions and guide you through the insurance process you probably want a full service agent.

Online is generally a self service option. Companies like Geico, Progressive, & Esurance host their own form that let you submit your driving history and they will calculate a quote based on that information. While these companies have call centers that let you ask questions, these representatives are usually less qualified then an insurance agent.

Agents are assigned representatives of insurance companies that sell policies on their behalf. Companies like StateFarm and AllState are generally represented by local agents in your area. These agents will walk you through your policy and options and are generally considered a full service option.

Carriers write their own policies. If you select a carrier, such as Esurance, Geico, Progressive, Farmers, StateFarm, and AllState, you are going to receive a quote from that company and they will hold and service your policy.

Aggregators find carriers for you, although they can sometimes sell a carriers policy. Sites like InsWeb, NetQuote, InsureMe, & Insurance.com will collect your information via forms and will distribute that information to various carriers. They are rarely able to offer an instant quote (with the exception of Insurance.com). Your information is usually sold to local agents who pay for the right to receive your information and contact you directly, usually by phone and email.

How is my insurance rate determined?
When you submit an application on-line or speak to an agent, almost every question they ask you is utilized to determine your insurance rate. The basis for rates is usually your zip code. Urban areas will have higher rates then rural areas as there are more cars and people in a city. Your car type determines the amount that might be needed to fix your car, your ticket/accident history determines your driving risk type, etc. While not all these variables are used evenly, they all play a role in determining your final insurance rate.

Filling Out Forms
When filling out an online form for insurance or speaking to an agent, the best advice is truthfully answer all questions. Do not overlook that ticket that occurred last or try to omit that small fender bender. While not reporting this can net you a low initial quote, almost every carrier will run check your DMV history to make sure your application was accurate. If they find inaccuracies your quote will increase before they allow you to purchase. Some companies often add a surcharge for a less then truthful application! If they find other inaccuracies after the policy is sold, such as stating a less expensive car model, that can be the grounds for denial of a claim.

Coverage limits indicate the maximum amount an insurance company will pay for the particular event. Look at these carefully and determine the best amount of coverage you feel comfortable with. You will have to pay for any costs above your insured coverage limits.

A deductible is an amount you will have to pay out-of-pocket for a particular insurance event.

You can set your deductible limits before you buy your policy. If you have a high deductible, you will have to pay more as a deductible but less for your policy. With a low deductible you will have to pay less for an incident, though your policy will cost more. The best rule of thumb is to determine the amount you are willing to pay yourself for an incident and if this amount is worth paying more or less for the overall policy.

Is My Information Verified?
The short answer is yes. Insurance companies will usually validate your credit, car ownership status, and driving record (to name a few). All of these are important and legal methods insurance companies use to give you the right quote and policy price.

What Is A Quote?
A quote is only an estimate of your insurance rate based on the information you provide the company. A quote amount can change as you move further into the sales process and your quote information is verified.

What Is A Policy?
A policy is a legal contract between yourself and the insurance company. This policy states the insurance company will service you as outlined in this policy, usually in the event of an accident, break in, break down, etc. Read your policy carefully to determine what is and what is not covered.

Payment Methods
Check with quotehelper.net or your company on their payment options before buying a policy. Some companies will not accept paper checks anymore. Most have options, and prefer, to make withdrawals directly from your checking account or credit card. Many companies also accept e-checks and even PayPal.

Can my rates change?
Once you buy a policy your rate is set for the term of your agreement. After that, all bets are off. Insurance companies are constantly changing rates up and down based on risk tolerance and business conditions. If you maintain a clean driving record (no tickets or accidents) your rate may fall, however expect them to increase if you have any incidents during your insurance term.

Full or Incremental Payments?
Many carriers allow you to select if you want to pay for the policy all at once or in monthly increments. Usually companies offer a discount for paying for the whole policy at once. Before making this decision, think of your financial situation. While it might be tempting to pay by credit card to get the discount, if you pay your credit card off over time the interest on the credit card might be greater then the discount you receive on your policy!