An auto quote is not cheaper if the deductible doubled.

Insurance quotes are easy to bend. Raise a deductible, cut a liability limit, remove rental coverage, or leave out a driver and the number falls. That does not mean the company found a bargain. It may mean the quote changed the thing you are buying.

Copy one coverage sheet

Use your current declarations page as a starting point. Ask every company to quote the same:

• Cars, drivers, garaging address, mileage, and use.
• Bodily injury and property damage liability limits.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist limits.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection where offered.
• Collision and comprehensive deductibles.
• Rental, towing, and other optional coverage.
• Policy term and payment plan.

State laws and available coverages differ. Your state insurance department can explain required coverage without selling you a policy.

Compare the full-term premium

A first payment is not the policy price. Ask for the total six- or twelve-month premium, installment fees, down payment, and discount assumptions. A pay-in-full discount and a monthly plan should not sit in the same column.

Pal question: “Please email the coverage summary and total term premium before I buy.”

Check every discount assumption

Some quotes assume paperless billing, automatic payment, bundling, a tracking device, a driving app, low mileage, or another policy. Ask which discounts are included, when they expire, and what data a driving program collects.

Price is not the only line

Ask friends about claim service, but also use your state insurance department. It may publish complaint information and can confirm that the company and agent are licensed. A cheap policy from an unlicensed seller is not a policy you can trust.

Do not cancel the old policy too early

Get the new policy number, effective date, cards, and written binder or declarations. Then cancel the old policy as of the same time. A gap can create legal trouble, lender trouble, and higher future prices.

Questions or corrections? Email the editorial desk.