12 Common Auto Insurance Questions

Many drivers start shopping for car insurance in order to secure better rates, but the first step in the process of obtaining a low car insurance rate is to get a car insurance quote. Car insurance quotes help insurance companies learn about you and determine how much risk you pose as a driver.

If you’ve never had car insurance before or have had the same policy for quite some time, you may not know what to expect from requesting a free quote online. This car insurance quote guide will highlight some of the most common auto insurance questions you will find on a car insurance quote.

What is your full name?

The first question on most insurance is often the simplest — who are you? Since insurance companies tailor rates to individual drivers, these companies need to get to know you. 

Now, when answering this question, be sure to use the name printed on your driver’s license. Don’t use a nickname or an alias.

What is your age and gender?

The next bit of information you’ll need to share is your age and your gender. Many insurance companies assign different amounts of risk to certain age and gender groups. For example, a 16-year-old male will face much higher rates than a 35-year-old female driver. 

You can review how drastically rates can change by age and gender here:

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender

Also, not every state allows insurance companies to use gender as a factor when calculating rates. If you live in any of these six states, your insurance company can’t use your gender to influence your car insurance rates:

• California
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts
• Maine
• Michigan
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania

Read more: Maine Car Insurance (The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need)

Your age and gender aren’t the only personal details you’ll need to share when filling out an insurance quote. Let’s examine another very common question on quote forms.

What is your highest level of education?

Some companies award different levels of education with a discount. For example, if you are a senior in high school and have good grades, you could earn a good student discount from most major insurance companies.

What is your address?

You’ll need to share your street address and ZIP code when filling out a quote for a car insurance company. This information not only helps the company ascertain if it provides coverage in your area but also how much you’ll pay for your insurance coverage.

An insurance company studies the number of car break-ins, car theft, and accidents wherever it provides coverage. If you live in a metropolitan area with a high number of car theft or accidents, you would most likely face a higher rate than someone who lives in the countryside of the same state.

What is your driver’s license number?

Despite already sharing your name and your address on your insurance quote, you’ll still need to share your driver’s license number. The insurance company can use your license to look up your driving record and discover if your license is suspended. The insurance company will also be able to learn if you have any violations or accidents on your driving record.

Drivers who have a stellar driving record may be interested in working with insurance companies that offer a telematics program. Such programs track a driver’s habits and allow safe drivers to be rewarded in the form of a discount.

What is your car’s make and model?

An insurance company needs to know your car’smake and modelso it can calculate how expensive it would be to fix in the event that you had to file a claim. How much your car is worth can have a big impact on your rates.

For instance, the amount of coverage you would need to properly protect an Aston Martin would be far more costly than the coverage needed to protect a Hyundai Elantra.

Some cars also come with safety features like anti-theft devices or collision warning systems that can save you money.

What is your current occupation?

This is a common auto insurance question because if you practice a certain profession, like teaching, you may be able to earn a discounton your insurance rates. 

Members of the military, government employees, and law enforcement also have the potential to earn a discount from certain insurance companies.

Do you currently have insurance?

Drivers who have a continuous history of coverage are typically seen as low-risk drivers. High-risk drivers can have their policies canceled, so if you can prove that you’ve had continuous coverage, your new insurance company may give you a lower rate.

Will other drivers be on the policy?

If you are, let’s say, purchasing a policy for yourself and your spouse, who is also a licensed driver, you two will need to be named on the policy. This question doesn’t just apply to married couples, though. For example, if your roommate regularly drives your car, that individual should also be named on your policy.

Remember that adding drivers to your policy can change your rates. For instance, adding a 30-year older driver who has zero accidents could help lower your monthly payments for coverage. 

Now, the reverse could happen as well. If the driver you’re adding onto your policy has horrible credit and a terrible driving record, you should expect your rates to increase.

Will other cars be on the policy?

Drivers who own multiple cars will need to share the current number of vehicles in their possession. You need to do this on a quote so you can be sure to get an accurate rate quote. 

If you are considering buying a new car, you should always get a quote first. This simple step will help guide your purchase and also allow you to adjust your budget once you decide what kind of car you would like to buy.

Buying insurance for multiple cars through one company can earn you a multi-car discount as well.

How much do you drive per year?

The more you’re on the road, the higher your chances are of getting into an accident. While having a high annual mileage can increase your rates, if you don’t drive very often, you could see your rates drop accordingly.

Individuals who don’t drive very often may be interested in looking for companies that sell pay-per-mile insurance. Such companies only charge you for how often you drive your vehicle.

Do you have other insurance policies?

Insurance companies ask this because if you choose to bundle all your policies together with one company, you can often earn a multi-policy discount. Not only that but keeping all your policies in one place can make keeping an eye on your insurance policies much easier.

Common Auto Insurance Questions: The Bottom Line

Now that you know what to expect when shopping online for free insurance quotes, you’ll be able to shop for insurance with confidence. Remember to accurately answer questions about your name, address, and your car type so you can receive an accurate rate quote.

Insurance companies will also be able to use your driver’s license to learn if you have any accidents or moving violations on your record, so if you’re asked about such things, it’s in your best interest, to tell the truth.