A car insurance quote can be quick—until you have to stop halfway through to find your VIN, look up your license number, or remember when that last ticket happened.
The good news is you do not need a stack of paperwork before you start.
For most quotes, the main things to have ready are your driver’s license, your recent driving history, information about the vehicle you want to insure, and the type of coverage you need.
Having those four things nearby can make the process easier and help you avoid guessing at information along the way.
The exact questions can vary by insurance company and driver, but these are the details worth having ready first.
What Information Should You Have Ready for a Car Insurance Quote?
Start with:
- Your driver’s license information
- Your recent driving history
- Your vehicle information and VIN
- The type of coverage you need
Those four areas cover the basics of who is being insured, what vehicle is being covered, and what kind of policy you are looking for.
Here is what to know about each one.
1. Start With Your Driver’s License
Keep your driver’s license handy when you start the quote. It gives you the basic information you’ll likely need, including:
- Your full legal name
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- State that issued the license
Using the information directly from your license also helps prevent simple mistakes that could cause problems later in the quote.
What if you don’t have a driver’s license?
Not having a current driver’s license does not always mean you cannot get car insurance.
Someone may need coverage with an expired or suspended license, or while working through the licensing process. If that applies to you, getting car insurance in Oklahoma without a driver’s license works a little differently from a standard licensed-driver quote.
If you do have a current license, keeping it nearby is the easiest way to make sure the driver information is entered correctly.
2. Be Ready to Answer Questions About Your Driving History
You may also be asked about your recent driving history, including:
- Accidents
- Moving violations or tickets
- License suspensions
- Other recent driving-related events
You usually do not need a printed copy of your driving record just to start a quote. It does help to remember roughly when something happened.
If you had an accident two years ago or received a speeding ticket last year, have that information in mind before you begin.
Driving history is also one reason two people with similar vehicles may receive different prices. The quote is based on the driver as well as the car.
3. Have Your Vehicle Information or VIN Nearby
For the vehicle, start with the basics:
- Year
- Make
- Model
- VIN
The vehicle identification number, or VIN, identifies the exact vehicle being insured.
You can usually find it on:
- Your vehicle registration
- Your current insurance card
- The dashboard near the windshield
- The driver’s-side door area
- Vehicle title or purchase paperwork
If you are buying a car, the dealership can usually provide the VIN before the purchase is finalized.
You can also use the official NHTSA VIN Decoder to check manufacturer-reported information connected to a vehicle’s VIN.
What if you don’t have the VIN yet?
If you are still shopping for a vehicle, you may not have the VIN yet.
Some quote systems may let you begin with the year, make, and model. Once you decide on the vehicle, make sure the correct VIN is used before the policy is finalized.
That way, the quote and policy are tied to the vehicle you are actually buying or driving.
4. Know What Type of Coverage You Need
The last thing to think about is the coverage you are looking for.
For many drivers, the main question is whether they want liability coverage or also need comprehensive and collision.
Liability coverage generally helps pay for covered injuries or property damage you cause to others, up to the policy limits. Drivers looking for a more budget-focused option can start by learning how liability coverage works and when it may make sense.
Comprehensive and collision can provide coverage for certain types of damage to your own vehicle.
Those coverages can be especially important with a financed vehicle because the lender may require them while you still have a loan. If you are preparing to buy a financed car, it is worth checking what insurance you may need before driving the vehicle off the lot.
You do not have to decide on every optional coverage before starting the quote. It helps, though, to know whether you are mainly looking for liability or coverage that also protects your vehicle.
What If You Don’t Have Every Detail Yet?
If you do not know every answer before you start, that is okay.
Begin with the basics: your license, driving history, vehicle information, and the coverage you are looking for.
If another question comes up during the quote, you can check the information then.
It is better to take a moment to confirm something like a VIN or accident date than to guess and have the quote built around the wrong information.
Keep Your License and VIN Nearby
Cheapest Auto Insurance keeps the online quote process straightforward.
Having your license and VIN nearby makes the basic driver and vehicle questions easier to answer. From there, you can work through any other information that applies to your situation.
Different quoting systems may ask for different amounts of information upfront, which is one reason some car insurance quotes take seconds while others take longer.
For most drivers, there are really four things to think about before starting:
Your driver information. Your driving history. Your vehicle. And the coverage you’re looking for.
Once You Have the Quote, the Next Step Is Different
Getting a price is one step. Comparing it with another quote is another.
If you are looking at more than one option, check what each price actually includes. A quote with different liability limits, deductibles, or comprehensive and collision coverage is not an equal comparison just because the monthly price is lower.
Our car insurance quote comparison checklist explains what to look at once you have the prices in front of you.
That keeps the process simple:
Before the quote, gather the basics. After the quote, compare what you received.
When you’re ready, you can start your car insurance quote with the driver and vehicle information you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to get a car insurance quote?
A good starting point is your driver’s license information, recent driving history, vehicle information or VIN, and an idea of the coverage you need. Additional questions can vary depending on the insurance company, vehicle, and driver.
Do I need a bunch of documents to get a car insurance quote?
Usually, you need the information being requested rather than a large collection of documents. Having your driver’s license and vehicle information nearby can cover many of the basic questions.
Can I start a car insurance quote without a VIN?
In some cases, you may be able to begin with the vehicle’s year, make, and model. The exact requirements depend on the quoting process. Before coverage is finalized, make sure the correct vehicle and VIN are included.
Do I need my driving record to get a car insurance quote?
You generally do not need a printed driving record just to begin a quote. Be ready to answer questions about recent accidents, tickets, suspensions, or other driving-history events that apply to you.
What coverage information do I need before getting a quote?
Start by knowing whether you are mainly looking for liability coverage or also want comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle. You can work through other coverage choices during the quote.