How to shop for affordable car insurance

Before quoting a new policy, you should consider if you've had any recent changes to your driving record or household that may impact your new rate.

For example, if you were recently found at fault for an accident or got a speeding ticket, your new rate may not be much lower. Additionally, if you're planning to add a teen driver or a newer vehicle to your policy, you may not save as much. The make and model of your vehicle can impact your car insurance rate too.

Learn more about the factors that impact your car insurance rate.

Your options depend on what you need and can afford:

• Liability coverage: Required in nearly every state. A policy with only auto liability coverage will usually have a cheaper rate, but it might not meet all your needs. Additionally, you should consider selecting a higher limit than your state's minimum requirements.
• Comprehensive & collision coverages: If you lease or finance your car, your lender likely requires comprehensive and collision coverages. Even if your car is paid off, consider these coverages to help avoid expensive repair bills. You can choose a higher deductible to lower your rate, or a lower deductible to save money on covered repairs. Note: These coverages, in combination with liability and other state-mandated coverages, are commonly referred to as "full coverage".
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Some states require UM/UIM, which can help pay for your injuries or damage to your vehicle if you are hit by a driver with little or no insurance.
• MedPay /Personal Injury Protection (PIP): MedPay and PIP are required in some states, though typically only one of these coverages is available in any given state. If optional in your state, either coverage is worth considering if you would need help paying your medical bills after an accident.

Learn more about common auto insurance coverages or use our car insurance calculator to estimate how much coverage you need.

Getting the right price is important, but you should also consider:

• Claims experience: How easy is it to file a claim? Are claims resolved promptly? Take a look at each insurer's reviews to get an idea of how current customers feel about the claims experience.
• Discount & savings opportunities: Car insurance discounts can help keep your rate low, and some insurers may offer unique ways to save. For example, Progressive offers a variety of Accident Forgiveness features to help you save after a claim.
• Ease of policy changes: Verify that you can update your policy online, in addition to over the phone. If they have a mobile app, check that you can access your policy with it and what changes you can make, such as adding a driver or vehicle, adding or dropping coverages, and changing your limits and deductibles.

Quoting car insurance at least once a year can be beneficial, as rates can change frequently. More specifically, shopping when your current policy is up for renewal will allow you to compare quotes against your new rate from your current insurer.

Adding a teenager to your car insurance is also a good time to shop for auto insurance, as there are insurers that offer discounts for teen drivers. Progressive gives discounts for drivers listed on your policy who are 18 years old or younger,^** as well as students with a B average or better.^†

If you're paying too much, don't wait to switch. Your current company will refund you the unused portion of your policy when you cancel. Just make sure you're covered with your new company before cancelling.

If you know the coverages, limits, and deductible amount you want, make sure each quote you compare has the same criteria so you're comparing apples to apples. If you're not sure what you need, use the quoting process to see how your rate might change when you add coverages.

If you have a set budget, you can use the Name Your Price® tool to see which coverages and features fit your budget. Plus, if you are a safe driver, you could potentially save more when you enroll in Snapshot, Progressive's usage-based insurance that rewards you with a personalized rate based on how safe you drive.