purchase car insurance online
When Shopping for Car Insurance Online, You Can Save Time, Money and Hassle by Doing Your Research and Comparing Quotes. Online, You Can Buy Insurance in Minutes
Home Media
10/28/2022 10:02 AM
Is it better to purchase your car insurance online or work through an agent? That depends on your needs and what you’re comfortable doing. In this article, we at the Home Media reviews team explain where you can purchase online car insurance and when you might be better off calling an agent.
If you already know you want to buy your car insurance online, use the tool above to get started by comparing free quotes from several of the best car insurance companies.
purchase car insurance online
43
COMPANIES COMPARED
1,300
HOURS RESEARCHED
2,500
DATA POINTS
1,000
CONSUMERS SURVEYED
1.5M
RATES REVIEWED
Can I Buy Car Insurance Online?
Yes, it’s easy to get car insurance online. It can take an hour or less if you’re prepared with basic information about yourself, your driving record and your vehicle. An online car insurance policy can go into effect as soon as you make the first payment.
How Does Buying Car Insurance Work?
The online insurance purchase process is similar for most companies. If the insurer offers car insurance online, you can get any standard type of coverage you’d need right from your computer or phone. But if you’re looking for specialty coverage like classic car insurance, you may have to call an agent to explain your situation.
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comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
The standard types of car insurance include:
Bodily injury liability insurance
Property damage liability
Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
Medical expense coverage (MedPay or personal injury protection)
Comprehensive insurance
Collision insurance
Best Way To Buy Auto Insurance
The best way to buy insurance depends on your situation. Car insurance purchased online is usually about the same cost as car insurance purchased through an agent — though you might pay slightly more if you use an insurance broker.
purchase car insurance online
Below are some key differences between buying insurance online versus through an agent:
Online: If you already know what auto insurance coverage you need, it can be a good idea to purchase car insurance online. Buying online can save time and money. Many of our recommended national providers offer online auto insurance quotes and purchasing.
Agent: If you aren’t sure what kind of car insurance you need, you may be better off working through an agent. An agent can answer your questions and help you figure out your best coverage options.
Should I Buy Car Insurance Online?
We don’t recommend choosing an insurer based on whether or not you can purchase a policy entirely online. You should choose your insurer based on which company offers the best car insurance rates and coverage for your needs. If that insurer happens to offer online car insurance quotes, you may want to take advantage of it.
It is generally cheaper to buy car insurance online, as there are no agent fees or markups. However, an agent can guide you through the purchase process and help you select the best coverage. Agents may also help you find car insurance discounts you might not otherwise know about.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
Either way, research any provider before committing to a policy. Even if you want to work through an insurance agent, it can be a good idea to compare quotes online first. This way, you can get a better feel for the cost of car insurance and which insurers to contact.
purchase car insurance online
How To purchase Car Insurance
There are three ways you can purchase auto insurance: contacting a company agent, working with an independent broker or buying car insurance online. You can also use a free insurance quote tool like ours to help you determine the best car insurance coverage, rate and provider.
Here are some steps to follow to get car insurance online:
1. Get an online car insurance quote
The first step is to get a quote either through an insurer’s website or by using a free car insurance quote tool like the one below.
Compare Auto Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we'll take care of the rest.
Zip Code
Compare Rates
To receive your quote, you’ll need to provide the following information:
Name and address
Driver’s license number
Make, model and year of your vehicle
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Description of accidents, tickets or insurance claims filed in the last several years
2. Compare quotes
After you provide the necessary information, some sites may offer instant car insurance quotes that allow you to see the cost for the level of coverage you select. Other companies may ask for your telephone number or email address and have an agent contact you with your quotes and options. Reach out to a few companies so you can compare insurance plans.
purchase car insurance online
3. Select coverage
Insurers that allow you to purchase a policy online will guide you through the purchase process, which should be straightforward. You’ll be asked to select the coverage you want as well as add-on options like roadside assistance or accident forgiveness.
4. Pay
Set up a payment method and input the necessary information. Most insurers may allow you to pay with a credit card, though some will charge a fee for this. Your other option is to pay through a bank by providing your routing number and account information.
5. Print your card
Finally, print your insurance card from home. Your insurer may also mail a card to you.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
What To Know When Buying Car Insurance
If you’ve decided purchasing auto insurance online is right for you, there are some important things to consider. In the sections below, we’ll highlight some things to look for when purchasing auto insurance online.
Where Can I Buy Car Insurance Online?
Most major auto insurers offer coverage online. Providers that do not offer online purchases require that you speak to an agent before finalizing your policy. However, most of the purchase process can still be completed on the insurer’s website.
Online Auto Insurance Companies
Here’s a snapshot of which major insurance providers offer car insurance online:
Car Insurance Company
Online Car Insurance
Quotes
Online Car Insurance
Purchase
Geico
✓
✓
USAA
✓
✓
Progressive
✓
✓
The Hartford
✓
✓
Nationwide
✓
✓
State Farm
✓
Liberty Mutual
✓
AAA
✓
Allstate
✓
Farmers
✓
Car Insurance Rates Online
According to our rate estimates, full coverage car insurance costs an average of about $144 per month ($1,730 per year) for good drivers. These estimates don’t include policy discounts you may qualify for, such as a homeowners discount or a discount for bundling auto with home insurance or life insurance. Other common discounts include:
purchase car insurance online
Teen driver discount
Safe driving discount
Good student discount
Military discount
Defensive driving course discount
Safety features discounts
Also, keep in mind that car insurance rates change over time. Premiums can be affected by state regulations, the rate of claims in a location, population growth and more. In our January 2022 car insurance survey, we found that 41% of respondents had experienced a rate increase without an obvious cause.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
Cheap Online Car Insurance Companies
Car insurance prices also vary by provider, of course. Here’s how major providers rank based on cost:
Car Insurance Provider Average Monthly Cost Estimate Full Coverage Cost Estimate
USAA $88 $1,054
Erie Insurance $103 $1,238
Nationwide $107 $1,281
Geico $109 $1,308
Auto-Owners $111 $1,337
State Farm $123 $1,481
Progressive $134 $1,611
Travelers $139 $1,669
Allstate $174 $2,088
Farmers $178 $2,140
Online Auto Insurance Quotes
Buying auto insurance online usually involves getting a free online quote. Car insurance quotes are based on a number of factors.
Factors that affect car insurance rates
The cost of any auto insurance policy will depend on a number of factors, including your:
Location
Driving history
Credit score (except in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan)
Vehicle
Age
Marital status
Coverage selection
Deductible
Car Insurance Costs by State
Even if you purchase car insurance online, costs can vary considerably by location. Here are annual and monthly car insurance cost estimates by state.
State Annual cost estimate Monthly cost estimate
Alabama $1,479 $123
Alaska $1,400 $117
Arizona $1,754 $146
Arkansas $1,525 $127
California $2,089 $174
Colorado $1,860 $155
Connecticut $2,999 $250
Delaware $2,169 $181
District of Columbia $1,903 $159
Florida $2,947 $246
View More
Purchasing Auto Insurance Online: Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed the process of purchasing car insurance online, provided tips for how to buy car insurance and highlighted some of the best places to find auto insurance on the internet.
Buy Car Insurance Online
Whether you’re buying car insurance online or in person, it’s important to compare several options so you find the best rates. Use the tool below to compare online car insurance quotes from top companies in your area, or read on to learn more about two of our recommended providers, Geico and USAA.
purchase car insurance online
Compare Auto Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we'll take care of the rest.
Zip Code
Compare Rates
Geico: Editor’s Choice
In our industry-wide review, we rated Geico among the top car insurance providers in the country. The insurer has an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and it ranks ranks above average in California and the Central and New England regions in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance StudySM.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
Geico policies can be purchased online and are often the cheapest car insurance option for drivers. Discounts like those for being a good driver (up to 26% off), being a good student (up to 15% off) and having multiple vehicles on your policy (up to 25% off) are only a few of the ways to save with Geico.
In addition to standard car insurance coverage, Geico offers add-on policy options such as:
Emergency roadside assistance
Rental reimbursement
Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)
Rideshare insurance
Learn more in our Geico insurance review.
USAA: Low Rates for Military
USAA scored the highest in every region in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. The company is also known for reliable claims service. It scored 909 out of 1,000 points in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM, higher than all other providers.
To be eligible for a car insurance policy with USAA, you must be a member or veteran of the United States military or have a family member or spouse that is a USAA member. If you are eligible, you can purchase a USAA policy entirely online.
In addition to standard insurance coverages, USAA customers can purchase:
Roadside assistance
Rental car reimbursement
Accident forgiveness
Glass coverage
Guaranteed asset protection (GAP)
Car replacement assistance (CRA)
Rideshare insurance
Learn more in our USAA insurance review. To compare the two insurers in more detail, read our USAA vs. Geico review.
Buying Auto Insurance Online: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about buying car insurance online:
Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?
Is it easy to get car insurance online?
Is it good to buy new car insurance online?
Other Types Of Insurance To Consider
Homeowners Insurance
Renters Insurance
Travel Insurance
Pet Insurance
Boat Insurance
Home Appliance Insurance
Dental Insurance
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Cost (30% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
Reputation (15% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
*Data accurate at time of publication
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Copyright © 2022 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.
India
comprehensive car insurance quote US$2.64US$10.28 ✔️
easy car insurance quote US$2.61US$7.99y✔️
buy car insurance online now US$2.60US$8.13✔️
car insurance buy online now US$2.49US$4.62✔️
low price car insurance online US$2.45US$5.25✔️
buy car policy online US$2.42US$6.50✔️
find car insurance rates US$2.40US$3.71✔️
purchase car insurance online US$2.27US$6.00✔️
buy cheap car insurance US$2.26US$6.14✔️
get motor insurance quote US$2.25US$4.64✔️
car insurance offers online US$2.21US$6.10
get car insurance online US$2.21US$5.33
cheapest car insurance renewal US$2.21US$5.81
best car insurance quotesUS$2.19US$5.71
buy insurance car US$2.17US$6.14
buy car insurance online US$2.15US$6.12
cheap car insurance online US$2.12US$5.58
acko car insurance quote US$2.11US$4.16
best car insurance sites US$2.06US$5.58
cheap car insurance prices US$2.05US$6.83
car with insurance deals US$2.04US$4.02
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