Whether you own a car or a home (or both), you probably know that insurance can help protect your investment in the event of a covered claim. Moreover, it’s likely that your home loan lender and the state where you’ve got your auto registered both require you to have coverage—homeowners insurance for your dwelling and auto insurance for your car. So if you need insurance (or even if you already have it), do what savvy shoppers do and get multiple quotes to find the coverage options that are right for you.
Why shop around? Settling for a quote from only one insurance provider limits your choice and can lead to any or all of these unfortunate outcomes:
Different companies offer different types and amounts of coverage. Some may not have what you need or want.
An inflexible insurance company might only offer policies that include coverage that’s not relevant to you.
Not all insurers price their policies the same.
If you only get a quote from one insurance company, you won’t know the average cost or be able to compare prices.
For an accurate comparison of insurance quotes, make sure they’re for the same coverage. You may have heard this referred to as an apples-to-apples evaluation. Even so, there are lots of other variables (cost of premiums, amount of deductible, stability of the insurance company, availability of an agent to answer questions, etc.) to consider when you’re comparing the same type of coverage. The better all those variables match for two quotes, the easier it will be to see which is the best option for you.
Once you’re ready to compare insurance quotes from different companies, you’ve got several ways to do it.
Check with companies like Consumer Reports. It’s easy to use an online comparison tool. Here’s how they work:
Answer some questions about your current plan (if you have one) or your insurance needs.
See multiple offers from top insurance carriers.
Consider offers with a high customer satisfaction rating and choose the insurer that’s the best fit for you.
Contact reputable insurance companies (bonus points for those you’ve already had favorable dealings with, or companies recommended by people you trust). You can do this on the phone, online or in person.
TIP: Get an insurance quote from AAA, the name you know and trust for roadside peace of mind.
Unlike insurance agents that work for a single company, insurance brokers sell insurance from a variety of carriers. That means they can help you compare options from multiple insurance companies. They are more likely to give you an unbiased opinion than agents who work directly for a particular insurance company. Find a local broker to help you navigate state-specific insurance requirements.
Read the details in the footnotes or supplemental documents before you sign your name to a policy to better understand the policy’s provisions—components that outline specific benefits, terms, conditions or other important features. While you want to watch out for restrictions that may be hidden in the fine print, there’s always the possibility that you’ll discover little valuable benefits that relate to specific situations.
Hidden fees are additional costs and surcharges that aren’t disclosed when an insurance provider gives you a quote. Exclusions are policy provisions that prevent coverage for certain acts or types of damage. Hidden fees and exclusions may cause you to think you are comparing quotes for two similar policies, but they may actually have big differences.
By consolidating two or more types of coverage with the same insurer, you can save money—sometimes as much as 20%. You may also only have to pay a single deductible in a covered event (like if a tree falls and does damage to both your home and your car). You’ll have the convenience of working with a single insurer, and you’ll streamline your bills. Bundling can be done with any kind of insurance a company offers, including home, auto and life insurance. A good way to explore bundling options is to compare the two best individual policy quotes (say, for home and auto insurance) to a quote for a bundle that offers the same coverage.
Any time you have changes in your life—maybe you have new teen drivers, you just bought a different type of car, you made home renovations, or you experienced something like getting a DUI or causing an at-fault crash—it’s worth reviewing your insurance options and comparing options. If you got a new car, you might decide to get full coverage car insurance to protect yourself from theft or vandalism.
Liability coverage might make sense if you have known risks such as a swimming pool or playground equipment on your property. Maybe you got married and want to change your coverage limits. Any of these things can alter your coverage needs and are good reasons for a policy review.
AAA insurance agents are available to help you review all your policies and can answer any questions you may have. They can advise you on your coverage limits and help you get the best price for the coverage you need. Homeowners insurance needs are very different from renters insurance needs, and a knowledgeable AAA agent can help you make sense of things like what coverage limits are right for you. They can alert you to above-average rates you might be paying for car insurance, and they might find ways to lower your costs by cutting unnecessary coverage in your auto insurance policy. You can also request a AAA Triple Check®, which is a review of your coverage.
See if AAA Insurance is a good fit to help you protect what’s important.
Coverage is subject to all policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations. Discounts and savings opportunities subject to eligibility requirements. Subject to underwriting requirements. AAA Insurance is a collection of AAA branded insurance products, services, and programs made available to qualified members. Personal lines insurance is underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Association, MemberSelect Insurance Company, Auto Club Group Insurance Company, Auto Club Property-Casualty Insurance Company, The Members Insurance Company, Universal Insurance Company, Auto Club South Insurance Company, or Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida. ©2024 The Auto Club Group. All rights reserved.
*New policyholders who switched to AAA Auto Insurance and saved, saved an average of $601 in FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MN, NC, NE, SC, TN, and WI based on 2023 survey results. Potential savings may vary.
**94% Satisfaction with AAA Auto Insurance. Satisfaction percentage was calculated based on a 2023 survey of new auto insurance customers scoring the Auto Club Group an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10 on overall satisfaction with their recent insurance purchase experience.