WHAT YOU NEED WHEN REQUESTING A HOME OR AUTO QUOTE

​
You’ve made the (smart) decision to shop around for your insurance to make sure you’re getting the most coverage at the best price. But before you call to get a quote, you may wonder, “What kinds of questions will they ask me? What do I need to have available in order to get an insurance quote? What if I don’t have the info I need?” If you have these questions, we’re here to help. Knowing what to have on hand when you call for an insurance quote can help speed up the quoting process.

WHAT TO HAVE ON HAND WHEN GETTING AN AUTO INSURANCE QUOTE

Frequently comparing auto insurance carriers is a great way to ensure you’re getting the right coverage. When you’re looking for standard auto coverage, here’s what you’ll want to have on hand for your agent:

• Current policy declaration page. This shows you currently have car insurance without a lapse in coverage. This does not apply to a new car or new driver.
• VIN numbers for each vehicle you want to insure. You can find your Vehicle Identification Number on the driver’s side windshield or near the door.
• Dates of birth for all household drivers 
• Driver’s license numbers for all household members and drivers
• Make, model, and year of your car
• Desired deductible 
• Approximate miles driven per year
• Driving history (recent accidents or traffic violations)

Not all companies will look at your average miles driven, but it helps determine your risk and wear on the car. Most people drive about 12,000 miles per year, but a longer commute or more frequent driving might be a higher risk, while no commute or infrequent driving would be a lower risk.
Why should you report recent accidents and traffic violations? It’s always best to be honest and upfront with your agent, so they can help you compare quotes as they actually are. Insurance companies can and will check your driving history using the VIN and license numbers. They have the right to make adjustments to your policy and premium during the underwriting review period. So if you aren’t truthful in the initial consult, the number you’re quoted could be different than the number you end up paying after they see your violations. Hiding info only hurts you.

WHAT INFORMATION YOU NEED FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE 

There are a lot of factors that go into determining your risk for a claim as a homeowner. Your insurance agent will ask a few questions about your house, location, and potential liability to design your policy. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand to make the process go smoothly and quickly:

• The year your home was built
• Square footage of living area
• Total square footage
• Style of home (ranch, 2-story, duplex, etc.)
• Exterior material
• Roof type and age
• Flooring type
• Kitchen and bath finishes
• Any renovations or upgrades since building
• Swimming pools, trampolines, and playhouses on property
• Safety features associated with pools, trampolines, and playhouses
• Home systems and their ages (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, septic, well, sump pump, etc.)
• Supplemental heating sources (fireplaces or heating stoves)
• Protective features (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, deadbolts, security systems, etc.)
• Distance from fire hydrant
• Personal property inventory value
• Occupancy information (primary residence, secondary residence, number of weeks occupied) 
• If business is conducted on premises
• Insurance history (most recent property insurance carrier, any recent claims in last five years, date of coverage)
• Building coverage amount 
• Deductible

You’ll also want to take a home inventory in advance of your call if possible to ensure you receive an adequate amount of contents coverage. Although it can feel like a lot of questions, it’s always good to have all this information on hand regardless of your insurance. You want to know the details about your house so you are always prepared—no matter what unexpected events may occur. 

Get a quote now for your car, home, condo, rental, flood, boat, and other assets.

​Give one of our expert insurance advisors a call at (201) 354-6775

Not by the phone? Request a quote or schedule a call with an advisor

​

REQUEST QUOTE