How long does it take to get car insurance?
How long does it take to get car insurance online? Not long, just a few minutes. Once you've input your personal info and compared auto insurance quotes, you can purchase a policy in 15 minutes or less. How long does it take to get affordable car insurance? Compare car insurance rates online to find the best prices. Read on to learn how long it takes to buy car insurance and how to get the best rates.
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Apr 15, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Apr 15, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- There are several different ways that you can retrieve auto insurance quotes. Some popular ways include by phone, in person, through email, or via the Internet
- If you have all of the information that you need when you’re requesting quotes, it won’t take more than 10 to 15 minutes to find out how much you’ll pay for coverage through a carrier
- Your coverage will be effective on the date that you select. The underwriting period lasts between 30 and 60 days
When you’re shopping for personal car insurance, you’ll quickly discover that there are hundreds of companies licensed to sell policies in your state.
Unlike retail companies, where you can stroll down store aisles to find the best deal, the products sold by an auto insurance company carry a unique price tag. This is why it’s so important to get quotes to find the cheapest auto insurance.
How long does it take to get insurance and how long after buying a car do you need to get insurance? These are just some of the most commonly asked insurance questions. The answer is, sometimes it’s as easy and quick as the same day, but it does depend.
The idea of contacting several insurance companies to get quotes might sound time-consuming but it doesn’t have to take as much time as you might think.
How do you get car insurance fast? Get quotes as quickly as today. Enter your ZIP code into the FREE tool above to find cheap auto insurance in your area. How long does it take to find a car insurance company? With the right resources, the period of time it takes to compare rates should be minimal.
How long does it take to get a single quote for car insurance?
You need to get at least a handful of quotes before you can confidently say that you’ve found the best rate, but how long does it take to compare multiple car insurance quotes online?
There’s no way to tell how long it will take to get all of your quotes if you request each rate quote separately, but it usually takes an unofficial time limit of around 15 minutes to learn the system and to fill out each field on the form.
According to a survey conducted on online auto quotes, the average person estimated that they spent about 8 minutes filling out direct writing quoting forms from start to finish.
Your rates will be unique to your own circumstances, as insurers look at things like your location, driving record, and credit history. The table below shows countrywide car insurance rates.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates- Countrywide
Type of Car Insurance Coverage | Annual Rates |
---|---|
Liability | $516.39 |
Collision | $299.73 |
Comprehensive | $138.87 |
Full Coverage | $954.99 |
Read more:
This video from Allstate goes over some factors that affect car insurance rates, and whether you have just a couple of options to save on the costs of coverage or plenty to choose from.
Consumers that used less advanced systems that didn’t pre-populate vehicle information and addresses spent a few minutes more.
Car insurance quotes can change on a daily basis (read our “Why do car insurance quotes change on a daily basis? for more information). So, if you get good quotes, don’t sleep on them.
Read more: How long does a car insurance quote last?
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Why is comparing car insurance rates so important?
Any financial expert will tell you five to 10 quotes when you’re comparing the premiums.
These experts recommend this because they understand how auto insurance rate-making works.
In the industry, there are preferred providers, standard providers, and substandard providers that sell high-risk car insurance.
How can you save time and still compare several car insurance rates quotes?
Each type of provider offers competitive rates in a different segment of the market. By getting multiple quotes, you can scratch carriers that don’t offer low rates off of your list of options.
Getting 5, 10, or even 15 quotes from competitors in the personal car insurance market can be very time-consuming if it takes 8 to 15 minutes to get each quote.
The best way for time-conscious shoppers to get several quotes in just minutes is to use an online quote comparison system.
You should never pay to use a comparison tool as a consumer. Insurance companies are the ones who pay to promote their products through a comparison site.
Choosing How to Shop for Car Insurance
There are so many different ways that you can find free car insurance quotes online and offline and so many different types of professionals that you can contact.
When you’re concerned with time, you should know how the method of contact that you choose can matter.
As you’re trying to decide if you want to visit a district office, make an appointment with a broker, call an agent, dial a toll-free number, log on to an insurer’s quoting tool, or use a comparison tool online, know how your choice affects time frames.
Getting face-to-face insurance quotes will always take longer than getting quotes by phone or via the world wide web.
Not only do you have to take the time to visit an agent during office hours, you also have to count the time you spend driving there and back. This is why busy shoppers look to get quotes by phone or on the Internet.
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What is the difference between a direct writer system and a car insurance comparison tool?
If you decide to do business online, you’ll find that there are two different types of quote systems.
There are systems that are developed and managed by the insurer selling the products and there are other comparison systems that are run by a third-party company.
Both types of systems are free to use but you can only get quotes from the direct writer if you use the official tool.
What documents can help you get accurate car insurance quotes?
The rates you’re quoted can legally change after you submit your application. The rates you’re given are based on the information that you give.
If anything changes and it has an effect on risk, your final rate will go up.
To ensure that you have all of the most accurate information, here are some documents that you should have access to:
- Declarations page
- Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report
- Motor Vehicle Report through the state
- Bank information for automatic payments
How long does it take to get your car insurance card? Knowing this can reduce your anxiety about shopping and encourage you to browse around for your best price. Keep reading to learn more about the timing of car insurance.
How long does it take to review a car insurance application?
Every insurance application goes through an underwriting period. This is called the binding period of the application process and it can last 30 to 60 days.
If the underwriter finds tickets, accidents, or fraud convictions, the rate can change or the policy can be canceled entirely.
How long does it take to get car insurance rates? Just a matter of minutes: Enter your ZIP code below to compare quotes from multiple companies at once.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Case Studies: Duration of Getting Car Insurance
Case Study 1: Immediate Online Purchase
John decided to purchase car insurance online. He researched various insurance providers, compared quotes, and selected the coverage that best suited his needs. John completed the online application, submitted the necessary documents, and made the payment. In this case, John was able to obtain car insurance within minutes and received his policy documents electronically shortly after.
Case Study 2: In-Person Application With Immediate Approval
Sarah visited a local insurance agency to inquire about car insurance coverage. She consulted with an agent who guided her through the application process, assessed her needs, and collected the required information. Sarah provided all the necessary documents during the visit, and her application was approved on the spot. She walked out of the agency with her insurance policy in hand.
Case Study 3: Complex Application With Underwriting Process
Mike had a unique situation that required a more comprehensive evaluation by the insurance company. He owned multiple vehicles, had a history of previous claims, and required specific coverage options. Mike submitted a detailed application, including supporting documents, and the insurance company initiated the underwriting process.
Due to the complexity of Mike’s application, it took approximately three to five business days for the insurance company to assess the risks, determine the premium, and issue the policy.
Case Study 4: High-Risk Category With Additional Evaluation
Samantha had a history of traffic violations and accidents, placing her in the high-risk category for insurance providers. She completed the application process and provided all the necessary information. However, her application required further evaluation due to her driving record.
The insurance company conducted additional risk assessments and verification processes, which took approximately one to two weeks to complete. Once the evaluation was finished, Samantha received a quote with her premium amount and could proceed with obtaining the car insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get car insurance?
It can take just a few minutes to get car insurance online by comparing quotes and purchasing a policy.
Why is comparing car insurance rates important?
Comparing rates helps you find affordable coverage that suits your needs.
How can you save time comparing car insurance rates?
Use an online comparison tool to get multiple quotes quickly.
What documents are helpful for accurate car insurance quotes?
Documents like your driver’s license and vehicle registration can help provide accurate quotes.
How long does it take to review a car insurance application?
The review process can take 30 to 60 days.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.