Car question

[jmh]

The wife and I are planning to buy a car in the near future, after we've both been without one in the city for a number of years now. Is there any way to get an insurance quote (even just a ballpark estimate) without giving personal information to companies we might not wind up doing business with? I've looked around online, and some companies claim they provide this, but none of the links I've found actually seem to do so.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: Car question

The wife and I are planning to buy a car in the near future, after we've both been without one in the city for a number of years now. Is there any way to get an insurance quote (even just a ballpark estimate) without giving personal information to companies we might not wind up doing business with? I've looked around online, and some companies claim they provide this, but none of the links I've found actually seem to do so.

I would think it will be very unlikely. They're certainly going to need your driving history (speeding, drunk driving, etc...) as well as claims history before they give you a quote. You can probably get some idea as to premiums for comprehensive/collision coverage for the type of car you are thinking about, since that is really car related more than anything.

 

[jmh]

Re: Car question

I would think it will be very unlikely. They're certainly going to need your driving history (speeding, drunk driving, etc...) as well as claims history before they give you a quote. You can probably get some idea as to premiums for comprehensive/collision coverage for the type of car you are thinking about, since that is really car related more than anything.

OK, that makes sense, but how do I even get that general kind of information?

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Car question

OK, that makes sense, but how do I even get that general kind of information?

you should open up the yellow pages and call an agent. let them shop around and give you rates after running comparisons.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Car question

you should open up the yellow pages and call an agent. let them shop around and give you rates after running comparisons.

in fact call the person you have homeowners/rental (not sure which) insurance through.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: Car question

OK, that makes sense, but how do I even get that general kind of information?

http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/auto/vehicle-rating.html

 

[jmh]

Re: Car question

http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/auto/vehicle-rating.html

That tells me whether a given vehicle has higher or lower than standard premiums for various types of coverage, which is nice I guess, but it still doesn't give me any idea what those standard premiums are.

 

[unofan]

That tells me whether a given vehicle has higher or lower than standard premiums for various types of coverage, which is nice I guess, but it still doesn't give me any idea what those standard premiums are.

Comprehensive premiums will be heavily, heavily influenced by your zip code. Especially if you live in a no fault state. The same car will have different rates depending on if you're in New Jersey or Wyoming.

Liability premiums will vary based on gender (males pay more), age (people under 25 pay more), and marital status (unmarried pay more), before even getting into driving habits.

In other words, you'll never be able to get a realistic quote without giving enough information that marketers could probably find you even if you submit it anonymously.

 

[jmh]

Re: Car question

Comprehensive premiums will be heavily, heavily influenced by your zip code. Especially if you live in a no fault state. The same car will have different rates depending on if you're in New Jersey or Wyoming.

Liability premiums will vary based on gender (males pay more), age (people under 25 pay more), and marital status (unmarried pay more), before even getting into driving habits.

In other words, you'll never be able to get a realistic quote without giving enough information that marketers could probably find you even if you submit it anonymously.

*sigh*... that's what seems to be the case. Kind of wish I could go on the State Farm (or whatever) website and input "36 year old married male, Toyota Camry, off-street parking, zip code 11209" and have them at least give me a range my premiums might be in depending on various factors that are specific to me.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Car question

The problem is, State Farm doesn't know whether that 36-year old has a clean driving record, or if he has had his license revoked three times, with 4 accidents and a couple drunk driving convictions.