Selecting the Right Insurer

Once you get an auto insurance quote fast, you will have to select the right insurance company for you. We'll tell you how to choose the right insurer here.

• Go to your state's department of insurance website. Every state has a department of insurance, and these departments usually also maintain websites. The most important information you will find on this site concerns "consumer complaint ratios," which will tell you how many complaints an auto insurer received for every 1,000 claims filed. Remember when you get your auto insurance quote fast that the big-name insurers don't always provide the best service. As you're shopping, you should write down the names of the insurers with the lowest premiums and then write down the companies with the lowest consumer complaint ratios. Compare these two lists to find the insurer with the best results on both lists.
• Get recommendations from a body shop. Few parties have more frequent dealings with auto insurance companies than auto body shops. Body shop managers have to deal regularly with insurance adjusters, so they can offer some insight into which companies have the smoothest claims processes. A body shop will also be able to tell you which insurers require aftermarket parts to cut costs. Try to get an auto insurance quote fast from a company that allows the use of original equipment manufacturer parts if possible.
• Research the J.D. Power ratings. J.D. Power surveys thousands of policyholders from across the country and ranks their insurers according to price, claims processing, coverage options, and satisfaction with company representatives. One visit to the J.D. Power website will give you a wealth of information about the performance of prospective insurers.
• Look into the company's financial strength. You want to be sure you're getting an auto insurance quote fast from a company that is financially stable. After all, even the cheapest quote on car insurance won't do you any good if the insurer is unable to pay your claim. A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's are two companies that publish financial strength ratings for all insurers. These indexes measure the ability of an insurer to pay out a claim. Looking up these ratings is usually only a precaution, as most of the large carriers are a safe bet in terms of financial security.
• Don't hesitate to talk to an agent. If you still have unanswered questions after you get your auto insurance quote fast, remember that you can always talk to agents from your prospective insurers. Agents can further explain coverage options and tell you more about the company. Talking to an agent is also an excellent way to get a feel for how the insurer treats customers.