[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/resources/insurance-checklist":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":644,"dateModified":645,"datePublished":646,"description":647,"draft":648,"extension":649,"featured":648,"icon":650,"meta":651,"navigation":44,"path":652,"seo":653,"stem":654,"tags":655,"__hash__":660},"resources/resources/insurance-checklist.md","Auto Insurance Shopping Checklist",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":626},"minimark",[9,13,18,25,31,77,82,115,119,124,134,170,174,177,298,302,308,311,350,354,358,398,402,435,439,444,519,523,609,619,623],[10,11,12],"p",{},"Shopping for auto insurance shouldn't be overwhelming. Follow this checklist step by step and you'll be confident you're getting the best rate for your coverage needs.",[14,15,17],"h2",{"id":16},"before-you-start-shopping","Before You Start Shopping",[19,20,22],"info-box",{"type":21},"info",[10,23,24],{},"Having this information ready before you start will speed up the quoting process and ensure you get accurate rates.",[10,26,27],{},[28,29,30],"strong",{},"Gather your information:",[32,33,36,47,53,59,65,71],"ul",{"className":34},[35],"contains-task-list",[37,38,41,46],"li",{"className":39},[40],"task-list-item",[42,43],"input",{"disabled":44,"type":45},true,"checkbox"," Driver's license number for all household drivers",[37,48,50,52],{"className":49},[40],[42,51],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for all vehicles",[37,54,56,58],{"className":55},[40],[42,57],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Current odometer readings (annual mileage estimates)",[37,60,62,64],{"className":61},[40],[42,63],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Current insurance declarations page (if switching)",[37,66,68,70],{"className":67},[40],[42,69],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Driving record details (violations, accidents in past 5 years)",[37,72,74,76],{"className":73},[40],[42,75],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Date of any prior insurance lapses",[10,78,79],{},[28,80,81],{},"Know your coverage needs:",[32,83,85,91,97,103,109],{"className":84},[35],[37,86,88,90],{"className":87},[40],[42,89],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Determine your minimum liability limits (we recommend 100/300/100)",[37,92,94,96],{"className":93},[40],[42,95],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Decide on comprehensive and collision deductibles ($500 or $1,000)",[37,98,100,102],{"className":99},[40],[42,101],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Check if your lender requires specific coverage levels",[37,104,106,108],{"className":105},[40],[42,107],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Consider uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage",[37,110,112,114],{"className":111},[40],[42,113],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Evaluate whether you need rental reimbursement or roadside assistance",[14,116,118],{"id":117},"during-the-shopping-process","During the Shopping Process",[120,121,123],"h3",{"id":122},"get-multiple-quotes","Get Multiple Quotes",[125,126,127],"pro-tip",{},[10,128,129,130,133],{},"The biggest savings come from comparing quotes across different insurers. The same driver can see rate differences of ",[28,131,132],{},"$1,000+ per year"," between companies.",[32,135,137,146,152,158,164],{"className":136},[35],[37,138,140,142,143],{"className":139},[40],[42,141],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Get quotes from at least ",[28,144,145],{},"5 different insurers",[37,147,149,151],{"className":148},[40],[42,150],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Include at least one direct insurer (GEICO, Progressive, USAA)",[37,153,155,157],{"className":154},[40],[42,156],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Include at least one agent-based insurer (State Farm, Allstate)",[37,159,161,163],{"className":160},[40],[42,162],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Try an independent agent who represents multiple companies",[37,165,167,169],{"className":166},[40],[42,168],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Use an online comparison tool for side-by-side rates",[120,171,173],{"id":172},"ask-about-every-discount","Ask About Every Discount",[10,175,176],{},"Don't assume discounts will be applied automatically. Ask each insurer about:",[32,178,180,190,199,208,217,226,235,244,253,262,271,280,289],{"className":179},[35],[37,181,183,185,186,189],{"className":182},[40],[42,184],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," ",[28,187,188],{},"Multi-policy bundle"," — auto + home/renters",[37,191,193,185,195,198],{"className":192},[40],[42,194],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,196,197],{},"Multi-vehicle discount"," — 2+ cars on one policy",[37,200,202,185,204,207],{"className":201},[40],[42,203],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,205,206],{},"Good driver discount"," — clean record for 3–5 years",[37,209,211,185,213,216],{"className":210},[40],[42,212],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,214,215],{},"Good student discount"," — 3.0+ GPA (under age 25)",[37,218,220,185,222,225],{"className":219},[40],[42,221],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,223,224],{},"Defensive driving course"," — approved course completion",[37,227,229,185,231,234],{"className":228},[40],[42,230],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,232,233],{},"Low mileage"," — under 7,500–10,000 miles/year",[37,236,238,185,240,243],{"className":237},[40],[42,239],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,241,242],{},"Anti-theft device"," — alarm, GPS tracker, or VIN etching",[37,245,247,185,249,252],{"className":246},[40],[42,248],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,250,251],{},"Safety features"," — airbags, anti-lock brakes, backup camera",[37,254,256,185,258,261],{"className":255},[40],[42,257],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,259,260],{},"Paperless billing & autopay"," — electronic delivery discount",[37,263,265,185,267,270],{"className":264},[40],[42,266],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,268,269],{},"Pay-in-full discount"," — paying 6 months upfront",[37,272,274,185,276,279],{"className":273},[40],[42,275],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,277,278],{},"Military/veteran discount"," — active duty or veteran",[37,281,283,185,285,288],{"className":282},[40],[42,284],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,286,287],{},"Professional/alumni association"," — employer or college groups",[37,290,292,185,294,297],{"className":291},[40],[42,293],{"disabled":44,"type":45},[28,295,296],{},"Telematics/usage-based program"," — safe driving monitoring",[120,299,301],{"id":300},"compare-apples-to-apples","Compare Apples to Apples",[19,303,305],{"type":304},"warning",[10,306,307],{},"The cheapest quote isn't always the best deal. Make sure you're comparing the same coverage levels, deductibles, and add-ons across all quotes.",[10,309,310],{},"For each quote, verify:",[32,312,314,320,326,332,338,344],{"className":313},[35],[37,315,317,319],{"className":316},[40],[42,318],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Same liability limits across all quotes",[37,321,323,325],{"className":322},[40],[42,324],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Same deductible amounts for comp and collision",[37,327,329,331],{"className":328},[40],[42,330],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Same uninsured/underinsured motorist limits",[37,333,335,337],{"className":334},[40],[42,336],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Same add-on coverages (rental, roadside, etc.)",[37,339,341,343],{"className":340},[40],[42,342],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Check whether the quote includes all applicable discounts",[37,345,347,349],{"className":346},[40],[42,348],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Confirm the quote is for the same policy term (6 months vs. 12 months)",[14,351,353],{"id":352},"evaluating-your-options","Evaluating Your Options",[120,355,357],{"id":356},"check-insurer-reputation","Check Insurer Reputation",[32,359,361,371,380,386,392],{"className":360},[35],[37,362,364,366,367,370],{"className":363},[40],[42,365],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Look up the insurer's ",[28,368,369],{},"AM Best rating"," (A or better = financially strong)",[37,372,374,376,377],{"className":373},[40],[42,375],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Check ",[28,378,379],{},"J.D. Power claims satisfaction scores",[37,381,383,385],{"className":382},[40],[42,384],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Read recent customer reviews (focus on claims handling)",[37,387,389,391],{"className":388},[40],[42,390],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Verify the insurer is licensed in your state",[37,393,395,397],{"className":394},[40],[42,396],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Check your state's department of insurance for complaint data",[120,399,401],{"id":400},"review-the-policy-details","Review the Policy Details",[32,403,405,411,417,423,429],{"className":404},[35],[37,406,408,410],{"className":407},[40],[42,409],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Read the full declarations page carefully",[37,412,414,416],{"className":413},[40],[42,415],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Understand all exclusions listed in the policy",[37,418,420,422],{"className":419},[40],[42,421],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Check the cancellation policy and fees",[37,424,426,428],{"className":425},[40],[42,427],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Verify the grace period for late payments",[37,430,432,434],{"className":431},[40],[42,433],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Ask about the claims process — how do you file? 24/7 support?",[14,436,438],{"id":437},"after-you-purchase","After You Purchase",[125,440,441],{},[10,442,443],{},"Your work isn't done after buying a policy. Set reminders to re-evaluate regularly — loyalty rarely pays in insurance.",[32,445,447,453,459,468],{"className":446},[35],[37,448,450,452],{"className":449},[40],[42,451],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Save your declarations page in a safe, accessible place",[37,454,456,458],{"className":455},[40],[42,457],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Add your insurance card to your phone's digital wallet",[37,460,462,464,465],{"className":461},[40],[42,463],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Set a calendar reminder to re-shop ",[28,466,467],{},"60 days before renewal",[37,469,471,473,474],{"className":470},[40],[42,472],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Review your coverage after any major life change:\n",[32,475,477,483,489,495,501,507,513],{"className":476},[35],[37,478,480,482],{"className":479},[40],[42,481],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Moving to a new address",[37,484,486,488],{"className":485},[40],[42,487],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Buying or selling a vehicle",[37,490,492,494],{"className":491},[40],[42,493],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Adding or removing a driver",[37,496,498,500],{"className":497},[40],[42,499],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Getting married or divorced",[37,502,504,506],{"className":503},[40],[42,505],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Teen driver getting their license",[37,508,510,512],{"className":509},[40],[42,511],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Paying off your car loan",[37,514,516,518],{"className":515},[40],[42,517],{"disabled":44,"type":45}," Starting to work from home",[14,520,522],{"id":521},"quick-reference-recommended-coverage-levels","Quick Reference: Recommended Coverage Levels",[524,525,526,542],"table",{},[527,528,529],"thead",{},[530,531,532,536,539],"tr",{},[533,534,535],"th",{},"Coverage Type",[533,537,538],{},"Minimum Recommendation",[533,540,541],{},"Ideal for Most Drivers",[543,544,545,557,568,578,589,598],"tbody",{},[530,546,547,551,554],{},[548,549,550],"td",{},"Bodily Injury Liability",[548,552,553],{},"50/100",[548,555,556],{},"100/300",[530,558,559,562,565],{},[548,560,561],{},"Property Damage Liability",[548,563,564],{},"$50,000",[548,566,567],{},"$100,000",[530,569,570,573,576],{},[548,571,572],{},"Uninsured Motorist",[548,574,575],{},"Match your BI limits",[548,577,575],{},[530,579,580,583,586],{},[548,581,582],{},"Comprehensive Deductible",[548,584,585],{},"$1,000",[548,587,588],{},"$500",[530,590,591,594,596],{},[548,592,593],{},"Collision Deductible",[548,595,585],{},[548,597,588],{},[530,599,600,603,606],{},[548,601,602],{},"Medical Payments / PIP",[548,604,605],{},"$5,000",[548,607,608],{},"$10,000–25,000",[19,610,612],{"type":611},"success",[10,613,614,615,618],{},"Drivers who follow this checklist save an average of ",[28,616,617],{},"$400–800 per year"," compared to those who auto-renew without shopping around. The time investment is typically less than 2 hours.",[14,620,622],{"id":621},"print-this-checklist","Print This Checklist",[10,624,625],{},"Bookmark this page or print it out before your next insurance shopping session. Having a structured approach prevents you from missing discounts, overlooking important coverage, or settling for the first quote you receive.",{"title":627,"searchDepth":628,"depth":628,"links":629},"",2,[630,631,637,641,642,643],{"id":16,"depth":628,"text":17},{"id":117,"depth":628,"text":118,"children":632},[633,635,636],{"id":122,"depth":634,"text":123},3,{"id":172,"depth":634,"text":173},{"id":300,"depth":634,"text":301},{"id":352,"depth":628,"text":353,"children":638},[639,640],{"id":356,"depth":634,"text":357},{"id":400,"depth":634,"text":401},{"id":437,"depth":628,"text":438},{"id":521,"depth":628,"text":522},{"id":621,"depth":628,"text":622},"tools","2026-03-01","2026-02-21","A step-by-step checklist to help you shop for auto insurance like a pro. Print it out, follow each step, and save hundreds on your premium.",false,"md",null,{},"/resources/insurance-checklist",{"title":5,"description":647},"resources/insurance-checklist",[656,657,658,659],"checklist","shopping","comparison","savings","QlGzyvPFsLNKbGKDV2OAnsKdP5T0W6vEbyYetnUNdMM"]