By the Five Star Insurance Reviews editorial team · Updated April 9, 2025

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes

Cheapest car insurance quotes start with the right coverage. Here are habits that lower what you pay, from comparing carriers to asking about every discount.

What the cheapest car insurance quotes really are

The cheapest car insurance quotes are not always the best deal. A low price can hide lower limits, a higher deductible or missing coverage. The goal is the lowest price for the coverage you actually need.

That is why the first step is not shopping. It is deciding what coverage you want. Once you know that, you can gather cheapest car insurance quotes that are truly comparable.

Decide your coverage before you shop

Choose your liability limits, your deductibles and any add-ons before you request quotes. Use your state’s minimum as the floor, and think about what you could lose in a serious crash.

Our guide on how much car insurance you need and our liability coverage calculator can help you decide. Then ask every insurer for the same coverage.

Why cheapest car insurance quotes differ between insurers

Insurers build prices from their own data and their own appetite for risk. One company may price drivers in your ZIP code lower than another, while a second may reward your vehicle type or driving record.

That is why the company with the cheapest car insurance quotes for your neighbor may not be the cheapest for you. Rates can also change from year to year as insurers adjust their pricing, so last year’s winner may not win again.

Compare at least three carriers

Each company weighs age, location, vehicle, claims history and other factors differently. As a result, prices for the same driver can vary widely. Comparing at least three insurers is the most reliable way to find cheapest car insurance quotes.

Our carrier reviews and head-to-head comparisons can help you choose which companies to ask.

Ask about every discount

Many insurers do not apply every discount automatically. Ask about bundling, safe driver, low mileage, good student, paid in full, paperless billing and usage-based programs.

Our list of car insurance discounts worth asking about covers more than a dozen, and the free checklist in the signup box below puts them on one page.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for different drivers

• New or young drivers: ask about good student and driver training discounts, and compare often.
• Drivers with a ticket or accident: companies weigh these differently, so shop widely. See our guides on car insurance after an accident and high risk car insurance.
• Homeowners and renters: ask about bundling.
• Commuters and low-mileage drivers: mileage can change your price, so report it accurately.
• Families: compare multi-car pricing and review liability limits.

Choose deductibles carefully

A higher deductible usually lowers your premium. It also raises what you pay when you file a claim. Raise it only to an amount you could pay from savings tomorrow.

Our deductible calculator shows how long the savings take to cover the extra cost, which helps you decide whether the cheapest car insurance quotes at a higher deductible really save money.

Online, agent or comparison site?

You can request quotes directly from insurers online, through a local or independent agent, or through a comparison tool like ours. Each has strengths.

Direct online quotes are fast. Agents can explain coverage and may shop several companies for you. A comparison tool lets you start several quotes at once. Whichever route you choose, give every company the same information so the cheapest car insurance quotes you collect are comparable.

Look at how you pay

Some insurers charge installment fees or price monthly plans higher than paying the full term. Others offer a paid-in-full discount. Our pay in full vs monthly calculator compares the total cost of both.

Paying in full is not right for everyone. Make sure a large upfront payment fits your budget.

Bundle policies when it makes sense

Many insurers discount auto policies when you also buy home, renters or life insurance with them. Ask for the bundled price and the separate prices, and compare. Sometimes two separate companies beat one bundle.

Keep your record and coverage clean

• Avoid tickets and accidents where you can.
• Keep continuous coverage, since lapses can raise prices.
• Fix errors on your driving record.
• If you have a ticket, read our guide to car insurance after a speeding ticket.

Review your coverage every year

Prices, discounts and your own life change. Shop again at every renewal, and after a move, a new car, a new driver or a change in commute. Loyalty does not always pay, and a quick comparison can reveal a better deal.

How to compare cheapest car insurance quotes step by step

• Write down your coverage choices.
• Get at least three quotes with identical limits and deductibles.
• Ask each insurer to list the discounts it applied.
• Check the add-ons, fees and the length of the policy term.
• Choose the best value, not only the lowest number.

Mistakes that make coverage more expensive

• Comparing quotes with different limits.
• Dropping needed coverage only to lower the price.
• Letting coverage lapse.
• Not asking about discounts.
• Staying with one insurer for years without checking.

Questions to ask before you accept a quote

• Are these the same limits and deductibles I asked for?
• Which discounts are included, and do any expire?
• Are there fees for monthly payments?
• How long is the policy term, and how does the price change at renewal?
• What happens if I file a claim?

A quick checklist

Decide your coverage, compare at least three insurers, ask about discounts, set deductibles you can afford and review at renewal. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Information Institute explain insurance terms in plain language, and your state insurance department can answer questions about local rules.

FAQs

General information, not insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and policy.

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