5 Tips for Comparing Car Insurance Companies in 2022

When it comes to saving money this year, you should think about comparing car insurance companies for the best rates available. The first month of the year is a great time to get quotes, even if your policy isn't set to expire. There's no fee or penalty for checking quotes, so feel free to do so up to twice a year or as often as your current policy is set to expire.

Nothing keeps car insurance companies competitive like quote shopping. If you're looking for the cheapest car insurance, be sure to check new quotes against your current policy. You can also read reviews like these USAA insurance reviews to compare the pros and cons of different policies and companies.

Whether or not you're military, you can benefit from the following tips for saving car insurance money in 2022.

1. Gather Your Info

Make sure you have all your information gathered and ready before you begin comparing quotes. You should especially look over your current policy to see what has changed. Chances are, you're at least a year older. You may have gotten married, had a family member to add or remove from your policy, or raised your credit score. All these can significantly change your premium rates.

It's not a bad idea to get those quotes as often as your policy expires or up to every six months. Here's a list of things to gather before you start comparing:

• IDs for all drivers
• Addresses
• VINs for all vehicles
• Current policy

Additional documents that show the usage of each vehicle, the age and driving history of each driver, and other relevant driver information can also help in the quote process.

2. Compare Multiple Quotes

Comparing quotes is the best way to save money on your car insurance every year. You should always be on the lookout for the best deal possible, but keep in mind that price is not the only factor in getting the best deal available.

Comparing quotes should be easy and free, but be prepared to spend a lot of time on it. You want to compare at least three new quotes to your current policy to make sure you're still getting the best rates for your budget and needs. If you prefer a more hands-on customer service experience, you can also get in touch with car insurance agents.

3. Ask for Discounts

There are plenty of discounts offered by insurance companies. Here's a list of common discounts you can look for and apply for:

• Good student
• Safe driver
• Safe vehicle
• Low mileage
• Military
• Good credit score

There may be other discounts for you to check out, depending on your area and driving habits. Many companies are offering lower rates for good drivers through user-based insurance options, which reward good driving directly with lower premiums and deductibles.

However, the tradeoff with user-based is that it requires the collection of a fair amount of data through your smartphone. Not every customer is comfortable with that.

4. Select Your Coverage Level

Be sure to carefully look at your current policy before switching. You want to make sure you're getting a better price for the same coverage elsewhere before making the switch. The last thing you need to do is get a better price, or what seems like a better deal, but it lacks all the coverage you need for your family.

It's also a good idea to consider the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Once you know what these minimum requirements are, you can add coverage levels. This way, you don't have to waste money on coverage you don't want.

5. Look Local

Don't forget to check local insurance providers who may not have a large online presence. Some of the larger national companies do not have local agents in your area, and you may enjoy having a local agent to answer your questions or be on hand if you need to file a claim. Take into account your personal needs when you're shopping for car insurance this year.

The Bottom Line

No matter how you're trying to save money, be sure to remember to check for new car insurance quotes. You will appreciate the differences a year of better driving or paying bills on time can make on your car insurance premiums. If you have a new or teen driver, be sure to check for student and young driver discounts and policies as well.