You’ve made the (smart) decision to shop around for your insurance to make sure you’re getting the most coverage at the best price. But before you call to get a quote, you may wonder, “What kinds of questions will they ask me? What do I need to have available in order to get an insurance quote? What if I don’t have the info I need?” If you have these questions, we’re here to help. Knowing what to have on hand when you call for an insurance quote can help speed up the quoting process.

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand when you call or go online to get a quote for car, home, flood, or boat insurance. If you still have questions, just reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to help – you can reach us at (844) 300-3364.

What to have on hand when getting an insurance quote

What to have prepared when shopping for auto insurance

Frequently comparing auto insurance carriers is a great way to ensure you’re getting the right coverage. When you’re looking for standard auto coverage, here’s what you’ll want to have on hand for your agent:

  • Current policy declaration page. This shows you currently have car insurance without a lapse in coverage. This does not apply to a new car or new driver.
  • VIN numbers for each vehicle you want to insure. You can find your Vehicle Identification Number on the driver’s side windshield or near the door.
  • Driver’s license numbers for all household members and drivers
  • Make, model, and year of your car
  • Desired deductible (learn how to choose your auto deductible here)
  • Approximate miles driven per year
  • Driving history (recent accidents or traffic violations)

Not all companies will look at your average miles driven, but it helps determine your risk and wear on the car. Most people drive about 12,000 miles per year, but a longer commute or more frequent driving might be a higher risk, while no commute or infrequent driving would be a lower risk.

Why should you report recent accidents and traffic violations? It’s always best to be honest and upfront with your agent, so they can help you compare quotes as they actually are. Insurance companies can and will check your driving history using the VIN and license numbers. They have the right to make adjustments to your policy and premium during the underwriting review period. So if you aren’t truthful in the initial consult, the number you’re quoted could be different than the number you end up paying after they see your violations. Hiding info only hurts you.

What else do you need to know about your car insurance quote? Find out more with The Ultimate Guide To Buying Auto Insurance. Have your info ready? Get real auto insurance quotes online right now using our online quote tool.

What to have prepared when shopping for home insurance

There are a lot of factors that go into determining your risk for a claim as a homeowner. Your insurance agent will ask a few questions about your house, location, and potential liability to design your policy. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand to make the process go smoothly and quickly:

  • The year your home was built
  • Square footage of living area
  • Total square footage
  • Style of home (ranch, 2-story, duplex, etc.)
  • Exterior material
  • Roof type and age
  • Flooring type
  • Kitchen and bath finishes
  • Any renovations or upgrades since building
  • Swimming pools, trampolines, and playhouses on property
  • Safety features associated with pools, trampolines, and playhouses
  • Home systems and their ages (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, septic, well, sump pump, etc.)
  • Supplemental heating sources (fireplaces or heating stoves)
  • Protective features (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, deadbolts, security systems, etc.)
  • Distance from fire hydrant
  • Personal property inventory value
  • Occupancy information (primary residence, secondary residence, number of weeks occupied) 
  • If business is conducted on premises
  • Insurance history (most recent property insurance carrier, any recent claims in last five years, date of coverage)
  • Building coverage amount (dwelling coverage)
  • Deductible (learn how to choose your home deductible here)

You’ll also want to take a home inventory in advance of your call if possible to ensure you receive an adequate amount of contents coverage.

Although it can feel like a lot of questions, it’s always good to have all this information on hand regardless of your insurance. You want to know the details about your house so you are always prepared—no matter what unexpected events may occur. 

What to have prepared when shopping for flood insurance

Flood insurance is highly recommended for everyone who owns or rents their home. Flood coverage is the only way to protect your belongings in the case of an unexpected flood from a nearby body of water, rainwater or storm, or a community line break.

First, you have to decide whether you want to purchase private flood insurance or public insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

NFIP never restricts who can purchase a policy, but coverage usually caps at $250,000. That means if your home and belongings are more than $250,000 in value, you won’t be paid out in full to replace or repair your assets in the case of a total loss.

That’s why we typically recommend looking into private flood insurance. You can purchase flood insurance that exceeds $250,000, so you can ensure your entire home and all of your belongings are covered in the case of a disastrous flood. Private insurance also offers a shorter waiting period than national, so you can get coverage faster.

Most flood insurance requires the following information for a quote:

  • Flood zone (high, moderate, or low risk)
  • Proof of homeowners’ insurance
  • Elevation Certificate. This is a certificate that verifies your elevation compared to estimated floodwaters. This may not be required by all flood underwriters.
  • Home type
  • Home age
  • If home is over water or near a body of water
  • Occupancy (primary or vacation residence)
  • Renting or owning?
  • Residential or commercial?
  • Any previous flood insurance claims?
  • Building coverage
  • Contents coverage
  • Desired deductible

We’ve partnered with Neptune flood to offer real flood insurance quotes online. All you need is your address and the year your house was built, if you live in one of the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington

 

Get a quote for flood insurance through Neptune fast and easy.

What to have prepared when shopping for boat insurance

Boats can be unique to insure, because there are so many different types of vessels and purposes. This process might take a little longer, so we’re giving you the information your agent may ask for to make the process a little easier and faster:

  • Boat type (houseboat, sailboat, sport fish, etc.)
  • Year, length, make, model
  • Purchase date
  • Hull construction
  • Top Speed
  • Engine (quantity, types, years, makes)
  • Used for racing?
  • Used as a residence?
  • Been surveyed by certified Marine Surveyor?
  • Safety features (fire extinguisher, lifejackets, gas fume detector, etc.)
  • Location of vessel (also in comparison to where you live)
  • Storage of vessel
  • Use of vessel
  • Navigational area and limits
  • Lay up (period in-use versus in storage)
  • Trailer information
  • Operator boating experience and history
  • Info about prior owned boats
  • Coverage requested for vessel, trailer, and tender
  • Coverage for contents
  • Requested liability coverage
  • Current boat coverage

Basically, you’ll need all of the information you have about the boat, its attachments, its accessories, and the operators of the boat. Get more information here: The Ultimate Guide For Insuring Your Boat.

Get a quote

There’s a lot of info you’ll want to have on hand when getting an online quote or one with an agent. But InsuraMatch strives to make this process easier, faster, and simpler. We ask you only what we need to know to ensure you get full coverage—at the right price, with the right company.

 

Get a quote now for your car, home, condo, rental, flood, boat, and other assets.
Give one of our expert insurance advisors a call at (844) 300-3364!

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