Driver Information
Insurance companies base rates primarily on driver risk. You'll need details for all household drivers who will be listed on the policy:
Driver's license number: Your full license number for each driver. This allows insurers to pull your official driving record.
Date of birth: Age significantly impacts premiums. Younger drivers (under 25) and senior drivers typically pay more.
Social Security Number (SSN): Most carriers require this for a complete quote and to check your credit-based insurance score. Some insurers offer quotes without SSN initially, but you'll need it for binding coverage.
Marital status: Married drivers often receive lower rates, as insurers consider them statistically safer.
Gender: In most states, gender affects premiums. Male drivers under 25 typically pay more than female drivers of the same age.
Occupation and education level: Some carriers offer discounts for certain professions or education levels.
Vehicle Information
Accurate vehicle details ensure you're getting quotes for the right coverage:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): This 17-character code provides complete vehicle details—year, make, model, trim level, safety features, and more. Your VIN is on your registration card, insurance card, or the driver's side dashboard visible through the windshield.
Year, make, and model: If you don't have the VIN handy, you'll need these basics. Be specific—a 2024 Honda Accord EX has different features (and rates) than a 2024 Accord LX.
Odometer reading: Annual mileage impacts rates. Lower mileage often qualifies you for discounts.
Ownership status: Do you own the vehicle outright, or do you have a loan or lease? Lenders require full coverage (comprehensive and collision), which affects your quote.
Vehicle usage: Commuting, pleasure, or business use? Daily commuting mileage increases risk and premiums.
Parking location: Where do you park overnight? Garages are safer than street parking and may lower premiums.
Safety and anti-theft features: Anti-lock brakes, airbags, backup cameras, alarm systems, and anti-theft devices can qualify you for discounts.
Driving History
Your driving record is one of the most critical factors in insurance pricing:
Accidents: Any accidents in the past 3-5 years, including at-fault and not-at-fault incidents. Include dates and approximate claim amounts if you remember them.
Traffic violations: Speeding tickets, DUIs, reckless driving, running red lights, and other violations. Most insurers look back 3-5 years.
Claims history: Any insurance claims you've filed, even if not at fault. Frequent claims—even small ones—can raise premiums.
License suspensions or revocations: Any periods when your license was suspended or revoked and why.
Gaps in coverage: Periods when you didn't have active auto insurance. Coverage gaps can raise rates.
If you have a clean record, this part is easy. If you have incidents, be honest—insurers will pull your motor vehicle record (MVR) and discover them anyway. Misrepresenting your history can lead to claim denials.
Current Insurance Information (If Applicable)
If you currently have car insurance, this information helps insurers provide accurate quotes:
Declarations page: This document (usually sent annually or at renewal) shows your current coverage limits, deductibles, discounts, and premium breakdown. It's the single most useful document for comparison shopping.
Current coverage limits: Your liability limits (e.g., 100/300/100), deductibles for collision and comprehensive, and any optional coverages like uninsured motorist or rental reimbursement.
Policy start date: When did your current policy start? Insurers want to know your coverage history.
Prior carrier name: Who's your current insurance company?
Reason for switching: Price? Service issues? Shopping at renewal? This helps insurers understand your priorities.
If you're a first-time buyer or don't currently have insurance, you'll skip this section.
Address and Residency Information
Home address: Your full residential address, including ZIP code. Insurance rates vary significantly by location due to factors like accident rates, theft rates, weather patterns, and state regulations.
How long at current address: Stability can be a positive rating factor.
Home ownership status: Homeowners often receive lower rates. Bundling home and auto insurance typically earns a multi-policy discount.
Garaging address: If you park your car somewhere other than your home address (like a different garage or parking lot), you'll need that address too.
Credit and Financial Information
In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates:
Social Security Number: Used to pull your credit-based insurance score (different from your credit score, but based on similar factors).
Credit history: Insurers won't see your full credit report, but they'll generate an insurance score based on payment history, debt levels, and credit age. Better scores generally mean lower premiums.
Note: California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts prohibit or restrict the use of credit in auto insurance pricing. If you live in one of these states, you may not need to provide credit information.
Optional Information That Can Lower Your Rate
These details aren't always required but can unlock discounts:
Defensive driving course completion: Certificate or course completion date if you've taken an approved defensive driving course.
Student information: For drivers under 25, provide GPA or proof of enrollment for good student discounts.
Professional affiliations: Some insurers offer discounts for members of certain professional organizations, alumni groups, or employers.
Military service: Active duty, veteran, or family member status. Companies like USAA and GEICO offer significant military discounts.
Low mileage: If you drive less than 7,500-10,000 miles annually, you may qualify for low-mileage discounts.
Telematics willingness: Are you willing to use a usage-based insurance program that monitors your driving? Programs like Snapshot (Progressive) or Drive Safe & Save (State Farm) can lower rates for safe drivers.
What If You Don't Have All This Information?
You can still get preliminary quotes with basic information:
For quick estimates: Many comparison tools and carrier websites provide ballpark quotes using just your ZIP code, age, vehicle year/make/model, and desired coverage.
For accurate quotes: You'll eventually need the full list above. Insurers can't issue a policy or guarantee a rate without verifying your driving record, vehicle details, and credit information.
Pro tip: Start with a quick online quote tool to see ballpark estimates, then gather your documents for final, accurate quotes from your top 2-3 carriers.
How Long Does It Take?
With all information ready:
- Per carrier: 5-10 minutes
- Comparison tool: 10-15 minutes for multiple quotes
- Phone quotes: 15-20 minutes per carrier
Without preparation, expect to spend extra time hunting down VINs, policy numbers, or digging through emails for your declarations page.
For a step-by-step guide to the full comparison process, see how to compare car insurance quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it won't be as accurate. You can provide year, make, model, and trim level for a preliminary quote, but insurers need the VIN for final pricing and to bind coverage.
Most insurers require it for accurate quotes because they use credit-based insurance scores. Some offer preliminary quotes without SSN, but you'll need it before purchasing a policy.
No. Insurance quotes use "soft inquiries" that don't impact your credit score. You can request as many quotes as you want.
That's fine. You'll skip the questions about your current policy. Be prepared to explain any previous lapses in coverage, as this can affect your rate.
Yes. Insurance companies require information on all licensed household members, even if they won't be driving your car regularly. Excluding drivers can lead to claim denials.