Rates drift over time, and the cheapest carrier today may not be cheapest next year. Shopping regularly keeps you from overpaying.
A good rhythm
- Compare quotes every 6-12 months, ideally before each renewal.
- Get quotes from at least three insurers for the same coverage.
Life events that should trigger a re-shop
- Moving to a new address or ZIP code
- Buying or selling a vehicle
- Adding or removing a driver
- A teen aging up or a ticket aging off your record
- Getting married
- A big improvement in your credit score
Why it pays
Quotes for identical coverage can vary 30-50% between companies. Insurers also raise rates on existing customers quietly, a practice sometimes called price optimization, so checking the market keeps them honest.