What do you need to get car insurance?

Driving with car insurance protects you financially and legally, but let’s face it — it’s not fun to shop for. But don’t let your boredom cause you to rush the process and leave you with higher premiums than necessary. Take an hour to gather all the info you need to quickly and competently gather multiple quotes from different auto insurance companies, and you’ll turn a rainy Saturday afternoon into time well spent.

Below, CNBC Select lists the information you’ll likely need to shop for car insurance and explains how to navigate the process.

When you call an insurer, they’ll probably ask you for some personal information first. For example, State Farm can start with your name, address and date of birth. This will allow them to search your public records for your prior insurance history, as well as your household’s vehicles and drivers. After that, you’ll need to provide more specific information to determine your coverage needs — and its cost.

Be prepared to provide your Social Security and driver’s license numbers and talk about your driving history, including any tickets, accidents or license suspensions. The insurer will also probably ask about your marital status and household. For instance, Nationwide wants to know about everyone in your household, including their names, birthdates and relationship to you: your spouse or partner, children, parents and grandparents and even roommates. This also includes people in your household who don’t drive.

Further, depending on the company, you may have to provide documentation to receive certain discounts. If a good student discount is available, you might need to send your most recent report card to qualify. Or if you want a military discount, expect to produce a copy of your military ID.

Besides that, information about certain vehicle equipment and features can also result in discounts. Geico, our top pick for the cheapest car insurance, advertises discounts of up to 23% for if your car has an anti-theft system. Additionally, having daytime running lights can save you 3% and anti-lock brakes can get you 5% off.

Finally, if you’re switching insurance providers, the new company will want to know about your existing (or most recent) policy. This can include the insurance carrier, policy expiration date and coverage information, such as deductibles and limits.

This is yet another opportunity to lower your insurance premiums. Many companies offer discounts if you pay for your policy in full or set up automatic payments from your credit card, debit card or bank account.

• Research auto insurance companies. Remember that while getting a good deal might be a priority, it’s also important to find an insurer you can rely on. Make sure to read up on reviews to find affordable and reliable companies.
• Evaluate your coverage needs. Everyone’s insurance needs are different — coverage that’s great for young people might not be the best choice for seniors. Determine how much insurance you need and tailor your coverage to your specific situation.
• Compare quotes. Pick at least three insurance companies based on your research and get in touch with them to get quotes. This is where having all the information handy will become helpful.
• Pay for your new policy. Once you’re done shopping, choose the insurance carrier that offers the coverage you need at the best price. At this step, you’ll need to pay for your policy to secure your coverage. Usually, you have the option to either pay in full or in installments.
• Get your insurance identification card. You need to have proof of insurance at all times when you’re driving. You can go old school and print your insurance ID card to keep in your glove box, or you can use your insurer’s mobile app to access an electronic copy. Or have both forms of insurance ID to make sure your bases are covered.

You’ll probably need to provide a significant amount of information about yourself and your vehicle to get accurate quotes from auto insurance companies. It helps to have it all ready before you begin insurance shopping. Remember that some of this information can qualify you for savings — so make sure to ask the insurance agent about discounts.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best insurance companies.

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