Auto Quote Checklist
Everything you need to get an accurate car insurance quote fast
Table of Contents
What You’ll Bring
Driver licenses, addresses, dates of birth, driving history, prior insurance details, plus each vehicle’s VIN, mileage, and use. Lienholder/lease info if applicable.
Coverage trade-offs explained in our Auto Insurance Comparison.
Accuracy = Better Price
Accurate driver/vehicle data helps us match discounts and prevent re-rates later… fewer surprises at bind and renewal.
See what appears on proof cards in this guide.
How We Help
We shop Progressive, Nationwide, Travelers, Safeco, Bristol West, Foremost and more, then tune limits and deductibles to your budget.
Ready to Get Your Quote?
Have your licenses, VINs, and prior insurance handy… we'll do the rest.
Drivers & Household
What driver information do I need for an auto quote?
Full names, dates of birth, license numbers/state, years licensed, marital status, and any tickets/accidents in the past 3–5 years.
Do I need Social Security numbers to get a quote?
No. Quotes use driver/vehicle data and prior insurance. Some carriers may verify identity later for bind.
Should I list all licensed household members?
Yes. Undisclosed residents can cause re-rates or denials. We can exclude ineligible drivers per carrier rules if needed.
Compare policy setups in our comparison hub.
What if a roommate occasionally drives my car?
Tell us about occasional drivers. Policies handle permissive use differently; accuracy prevents claim friction.
How do tickets and accidents affect my quote?
Severity, recency, and count matter. Carriers rate violations differently; we shop to offset surcharges when possible.
Can I exclude a high-risk driver?
Often, with a signed exclusion where allowed. Excluded drivers have no coverage if they operate the vehicle.
See carrier nuances in National General Insurance.
Vehicle Details
What vehicle information should I collect?
Year, make, model, trim, VIN, current mileage, primary use (commute/pleasure/business), annual miles, and garaging address.
Do I need photos or inspections for a quote?
No. Quotes are data-driven. Photos may be requested after bind for certain coverages or claims.
How do financed or leased vehicles change my coverage?
Leinholders typically require full coverage and may require specific deductibles or GAP. We’ll list the lienholder properly.
Proof card fields explained in this guide.
Should I list custom equipment or wraps?
Yes. Many policies need an endorsement to cover aftermarket wheels, audio, wraps, or tool racks.
Do safety features lower my price?
Sometimes. Advanced safety can help prevent injuries; telematics may produce larger savings for careful drivers.
Can I quote multiple vehicles for multi-car savings?
Yes, multi-car and multi-policy discounts can stack. List all daily drivers and vehicles for the best picture.
See savings levers in our comparison article.
Coverage & Limits
Which liability limits should I choose?
State minimums are legal but can be risky. Many drivers choose higher BI/PD limits to protect income and assets.
Do I need full coverage or liability only?
If your car has value or a loan, consider comprehensive and collision. Liability only is lowest cost but exposes your car.
What deductible should I pick?
Higher deductible lowers premium, higher out-of-pocket at claim time. Balance cash-on-hand with savings.
Deductible impact outlined in our comparison hub.
What are UM/UIM, PIP, and MedPay?
UM/UIM protects you from underinsured drivers. PIP/MedPay helps with medical bills regardless of fault (varies by state).
Do I need rental reimbursement and roadside?
Rental/transportation covers a loaner after covered losses; roadside helps with tows and lockouts. Small add-ons, big convenience.
How do coverage choices change my rate?
Limits, deductibles, and add-ons drive price. We model scenarios so you can decide with clarity.
Carrier context in Bristol West & Foremost.
Discounts & Verification
Which discounts should I ask about?
Autopay, paid-in-full, paperless, prior insurance, multi-vehicle, homeowner, telematics, good student, and defensive driving.
Do I need proof of prior insurance?
Often yes for the biggest discounts. A declarations page or ID card works; even a policy number/date helps.
How do mileage and garaging address affect price?
Higher miles and high-claim ZIPs can raise premiums. Accuracy helps us match the right carrier tier.
Pricing factors overview in our comparison guide.
Will a credit-based insurance score be used?
In many states, yes. It’s a soft inquiry. We’ll advise where it applies and how it impacts rating.
Can telematics lower my quote?
Often, especially for careful and low-mileage drivers. We’ll suggest the best program for your habits.
How does bundling home or renters help?
Bundles can unlock sizable multi-policy credits and stabilize renewals.
See home context in West Virginia Homeowners Insurance.
Documents & Proof
What documents should I gather before calling?
Driver licenses, prior insurance proof, VINs, lender/lessor info, mileage, and incident dates. That’s enough to start strong.
How fast can I get ID cards after binding?
Same day in most cases. We email and can text ID cards; mailed copies follow if needed.
What should appear on my proof of insurance card?
Carrier, policy number, insured name, effective dates, and any state-specific fields.
Details in this article.
Can you email or text my declarations and binder?
Yes. You’ll have digital proof ready for the DMV, lender, or dealer the same day in most cases.
How do I add a lienholder or lessor correctly?
Provide name, address, loan/lease number. We’ll add the interest so notices route properly.
If I need an SR22, how is it provided?
We e-file with your state and supply proof to you. Requirements vary, so we’ll confirm the exact term.
See state basics in our SR22 States hub.
Process, Timing & Special Cases
How long does an accurate quote take?
Usually 10–20 minutes when you have the basics. Multi-vehicle households may take a bit longer for best savings.
Can you match another carrier’s quote?
We often beat or explain differences by matching limits, deductibles, and discount eligibility side by side.
What if I don’t have every detail yet?
We can begin with key items, then refine. Accurate VINs, mileage, and prior insurance make the biggest difference.
Coverage comparisons live in our comparison hub.
Can coverage start today?
Yes, in most cases. We bind, issue ID cards, and send lender/dealer proof the same day.
What special info is needed for non-owner or high-risk quotes?
We’ll need your license status, incident history, and any filing terms. Non-owner requires no regular vehicle access.
SR22 timelines by state are in SR22 States and non-owner basics here: Non-Owners Insurance.
Get Your Personalized Quote
We'll compare carriers, apply discounts, and send instant proof.
What Affects Your Quote Most
Drivers & History
Licenses, tickets, accidents… accurate details let us target forgiving carriers.
Vehicles & Use
VINs, mileage, commute, garaging ZIP, safety/anti-theft, lienholder needs.
Coverage Choices
Liability limits, deductibles, UM/UIM, PIP/MedPay, rental & roadside.
Discounts
Autopay, PIF, paperless, telematics, multi-car, bundle with home or renters.
Auto quote checklist… bring the right info and save more
Young drivers, first-time buyers, single commuters, married households, even small business owners… the same checklist helps everyone find, get, quote, buy, and bundle smarter coverage. Start with drivers: full legal names, dates of birth, license numbers and state, years licensed, and incident history. Vehicles: year, make, model, VIN, current mileage, commute or business use, and garaging address. Prior insurance: carrier, term dates, coverages, and your declarations page for discount verification. If you finance or lease, have lienholder/lessor details ready so proof routes correctly.
Next, choose limits. Many shoppers move beyond state minimums for stronger bodily injury and property damage protection, add UM/UIM, and pick PIP or MedPay where available. For your car, compare full coverage versus liability only, test deductibles, and add rental & towing if a loaner would save time and stress. We quote Progressive, Geico, State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Safeco, Bristol West, and Foremost… then recommend a setup that fits your cash flow and risk tolerance. Popular vehicles like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and BMW 3 Series are easy to price, and we also handle motorcycles from Harley and Yamaha. When you’re ready, we apply autopay, paid-in-full, paperless, multi-vehicle, bundle, and telematics credits where they make sense… then deliver instant ID cards so you can drive away confident.
Last Updated on by Shawn Christie