First compare the protection. Then compare what you pay for it.
Use one set of facts
Give each agent the same accurate information and request written quotes. For auto insurance, keep drivers, vehicles, coverage types, limits, and deductibles consistent. Ask which details still need verification and whether that could change the price.
NAIC · Consumer guide to auto insurance (PDF)Compare more than the headline price
For home insurance, line up dwelling and belongings limits, claim payment terms, deductibles, exclusions, and added coverages. If a deductible is a percentage, ask for its dollar equivalent. A difference in any of these can change what you would pay after a loss.
NAIC · Shopping for homeowners insuranceMake a simple side-by-side list
A comparison does not need complicated software. Write down the answers under each quote:
- What is insured, and for what policy period?
- What are the limits and deductibles?
- How is the amount paid after a covered loss calculated?
- What is excluded or covered only by an added endorsement?
- What is the total cost for the same period, including applicable fees?
Check what you actually receive
Review the issued policy, not only the earlier quote. If something differs or is unclear, ask the agent to explain it before relying on your assumptions. Keep the policy and the contact details somewhere you can access when needed.
NAIC · Consumer guide to home insurance (PDF)TAKE THESE TO YOUR AGENT
Three questions to start with.
- Why is this option less expensive?
- What protection or deductible changes between these quotes?
- Is this the full cost for the same policy period?
Sponsored by Grant Rosandick. Use these questions with any licensed agent. Public sources are provided for further reading; they do not endorse this guide or its sponsor.