Getting a car insurance quote can be tricky. You need to know how much car insurance costs at different car insurance companies, but you don’t want to spend hours inputting your personal information in various company websites — or worse — put your personal information online only to have it sold to third party vendors.
There are some online tools that can help you get an anonymous auto insurance quote so your information stays secure. But the downside to an anonymous quote is that it isn’t as accurate as an actual quote based on your personal information.
What information do you need for an anonymous auto insurance quote?
Getting an anonymous auto insurance quote is possible, but it isn’t easy and you will be required to provide more detailed personal information before you are able to purchase a policy.
And to get a basic car insurance estimate, you’ll still need to provide some general information, like:
Your state
The state where you live can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana have the highest car insurance rates in the nation, while Ohio, Vermont, and North Carolina have the lowest car insurance rates.
Rates vary even within a state, so moving from one ZIP code to the next can change your rates, sometimes significantly.
Your age
One of the biggest factors in setting your car insurance rates is how old you are. Younger drivers typically pay much higher rates than older drivers.
Because rates sometimes drop by hundreds or thousands of dollars each year for young drivers, drivers under the age of 25 should give their exact date of birth when getting a quote to get the most accurate rate.
Your gender
Gender plays a role in how much you pay for car insurance in most states, though how much of a difference depends on your location and which insurance company you choose. Getting a quote without providing your gender could give you an inaccurate rate.
Vehicle information
The type of car you drive has a big impact on your insurance rates, so you may need to provide your vehicle’s make and model when getting a quote. Other information, like the age and overall condition of your vehicle, will also affect your rates, so you should provide as much vehicle information as possible to make sure you are getting an accurate rate.
Coverage limits
Your rate is partially based on how much insurance you need, so you may need to choose your coverage limits (along with any extra coverage you may need) when getting a quote. For example, minimum state levels of liability coverage will be much cheaper than 100/300/100 levels of coverage, but you won't have as much financial protection if you’re in an accident.
Can I get an auto insurance quote with no personal information?
You can, but it might not be accurate. Car insurance rates are based on dozens of different factors, including some very personal factors like your ZIP code, your credit score, and your driving history. A car insurance quote that doesn’t include that personal information likely won’t be accurate, giving you an estimate that could be much different than your actual rate.
If you are willing to provide at least some personal information, you’ll get a much more accurate estimate.
How to get an anonymous car insurance quote
If you’re just trying to get a general idea of how much you should expect to pay for car insurance, getting an anonymous quote online is a good way to do that. There are a couple of ways to get an anonymous car insurance quote online:
A car insurance calculator
The best way to get an anonymous car insurance quote is to use an online car insurance calculator. With just a few pieces of information, like your age and your ZIP code, you can get a general estimate of what you’ll pay for car insurance coverage.
But keep in mind that an estimate isn’t a guarantee, and you can’t purchase a car insurance policy without providing detailed information, like your driver’s license number and your home address.
Car insurance rates are based on a number of factors, which means two people living in the same ZIP code and driving the same vehicle could end up with very different car insurance quotes because of personal factors like their credit score or their driving history. Because of this, it isn’t possible to get a final car insurance quote without providing your personal information.
→ Use our car insurance calculator to get a car insurance estimate
Working with an agent
A car insurance agent or broker can give you a quote, although it likely won’t be anonymous. But working with an agent limits the number of people/companies who have access to your personal information and gives you a more accurate quote than a simple anonymous car insurance estimate.
Comparing quotes online
Drivers can use an online insurance marketplace like Policygenius to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies. While an online comparison site will need identifying information from you to give you accurate quotes, you’ll only need to provide the information once instead of giving it to multiple companies. Also, Policygenius doesn’t sell your information to third parties, so you’ll know your identifying information is safe.
→ Compare quotes from multiple companies
Frequently asked questions
Can you get car insurance online without talking to someone?
Yes, many insurance companies offer you the option of buying a policy online without talking to anyone over the phone. In fact, some companies offer a discount for buying a policy online.
What car insurance companies don't want you to know?
Car insurance companies generally aren’t hiding information from their customers. That said, many companies don’t advertise that their average rates are hundreds of dollars more expensive than their competitors, so it is important to compare quotes from multiple companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
How do I insure someone without a car?
Drivers who are borrowing someone else’s car are often covered by the owner’s car insurance, but people who drive regularly without owning a car can purchase a non-owner car insurance policy to make sure they always have liability coverage.
