Getting car insurance for the first time can be a very confusing thing, especially if you are not used to knowing how insurance works and what kind of coverage you really need. With various policy types, terms, and prices, one may feel really jeopardized on where to begin. However, having some idea about the basic factors can make the process just a little less intimidating.
In this article, you’ll get the answers to the following questions:
- How can I buy car insurance for the first time?
- What information do you need?
- Will it cost you much as a first-time insurance buyer?
- How much does car insurance cost?
- What is the best way to save money when you buy car insurance?
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How to buy car insurance for the first time?
We’re talking about car insurance, of course. Finding the correct vehicle insurance, whether you’re buying your first car or your parents tell you it’s time to obtain your own policy, may be a difficult task. However, the journey isn’t all unpleasant.
You can get a decent policy with the proper coverage types for a good price with a little planning. As a first-time buyer, it is important to know the different types of insurance and how to go about them. The following are common elements of an auto insurance policy:
Reliability insurance:
This covers damage to other people’s property, such as if you crash someone’s car or somebody’s fence. It also covers injuries you cause to others in an accident, as well as legal fees if you’re sued as a result of the accident.
In most states, it is compulsory. You have the option of selecting the minimal quantity required to legally drive in your state or a higher number. Damage to your own vehicle is not covered by liability insurance.
Collision insurance:
This coverage covers damage to your car as a result of an accident, regardless of fault, as well as damage caused by hitting another item, such as a guardrail. Unless you finance your vehicle, it is optional.
In the event that your car is damaged, it pays you up to the real monetary value of your vehicle. Collision insurance has a deductible that you set, and it is deducted from your insurance if you file a claim.
Comprehensive insurance:
This policy protects your car as well, but it is optional and has a deductible. Theft and damage caused by fire, hail, water, vandalism, fallen objects, and animal strikes—for example, if you caused an accident, all covered under comprehensive coverage. If your car is totalled, it will pay you up to the real cash value.
Other types of coverage:
You may be offered or required to purchase additional coverage such as personal injury protection or uninsured motorist policy, depending on your state’s requirements.
Before you buy a car, it’s also a good idea to search around for auto insurance. You might not be able to drive your new car off the dealership if you don’t have insurance. Before you can take the car home with you, you’ll need evidence of insurance.
It’s also a good idea to consider the costs of insurance, as well as your loan payment and vehicle maintenance costs.
While many things determine how much you pay for insurance, the type of vehicle you drive has an impact, so it’s a good idea to know which automobiles are the most and least expensive to insure before you sign the contract.
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Things you should do before buying your first car insurance
The followings are things you should do ahead of time:
- Have a car choice or model.
- Know the coverage type you will need.
- Compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies.
- Your insurance agent should set up a policy.
Have a car choice or model:
You’ve most certainly identified the types of cars you’re interested in during car shopping. For example, you might wish to test drive a brand-new Toyota Camry or a used Honda Civic. An insurance company can provide you with prices for a few different models so that you can plan ahead of time.
Know the coverage type you will need:
Car liability insurance is required in most states. If you’re getting a car loan or leasing a car, collision and comprehensive insurance will almost certainly be required by your lender or leasing agent.
Compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies:
A good option to compare prices is to use an independent insurance agent or an online car insurance comparison service. Because rates differ greatly amongst insurers, you should get more than one or two quotations.
To get an apples-to-apples comparison, make sure to compare quotations for the same coverage level.
Your insurance agent should set up a policy:
This phase is simple if you already have a car in mind and know the vehicle identifying number (VIN). Before you arrive at the dealership, you can have your coverage ready to go.
If you don’t have the VIN yet, see if the agent can put up a policy using the information you already have, such as the names of the drivers in your household and the address where you’ll keep the car.
Once you’ve decided on a car, call the agent with the VIN number to finish the auto insurance policy purchase.
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What is the information you need when getting car insurance?
Before buying a car insurance policy, gather some personal information for yourself and any other drivers who will be named on the policy, such as:
- All of the policyholders’ driver’s license numbers.
- For all drivers on the policy, the date of birth is required.
- The car’s parking address (usually your home address).
- For all the vehicles you’re insuring, you’ll need a vehicle identification number.
- You or any of the policy’s drivers have completed a safe-driving course.
- Student drivers’ grades (good grades might earn a discount).
- A rough estimate of how much liability auto insurance you’ll need.
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Will it cost you much as a first-time insurance buyer?
There are various factors such as type of car, age, gender, ZIP code, marital status, credit, education, and occupation insurance companies put into consideration to know how much your car insurance will cost you.
You might expect to pay more if you’re a novice driver and/or purchasing your first car insurance policy than an experienced driver who has had insurance for several years.
This is because automobile insurance companies look at you’re driving and insurance history when determining your rates. You are more likely to file a car insurance claim if you have little driving experience.
Young drivers are usually inexperienced. The typical rate for a 16-year-old driver is roughly $6,000 to $7,000, $3,200 for a 20-year-old, and just under $2,000 for a 25-year-old.
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How much is car insurance?
The average cost of car insurance with liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage is $1,998 for a good driver purchasing $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 in property damage liability. However, the average cost of car insurance coverage types are:
| Liability insurance | $644 |
| Collision insurance | $378 |
| Comprehensive insurance | $168 |
What is the best way to save money when you get your car insurance?
For the first-timer, here is the best way to save money when you buy your car insurance:
- Shop around
- Get the right amount of coverage
- Ask for discounts
- Maintain good credit
Shop around:
Comparing auto insurance quotes from many companies is the most effective approach to saving money. The cost of car insurance varies greatly from one insurer to the next.
Free quotations are available online or through a vehicle insurance agent. To save you time, independent insurance brokers can provide you with rates from numerous firms.
Get the right amount of coverage:
You’ll need to figure out how much car insurance you need, and an insurance agent can assist you in determining coverage limits. While you don’t want to be underinsured, you also don’t want to overpay for coverage.
Ask for discounts:
Multi-policy discounts, new car discounts, and defensive driver discounts are just a few of the prevalent car insurance discounts.
Maintain good credit:
Most states allow vehicle insurance firms to utilize credit as a pricing factor. If you have bad credit, you may have to pay extra, which is why shopping around for the best car insurance rates is so vital.
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Is it ok if I buy insurance at the dealership?
Car insurance may be available at the dealership. If you finance your automobile at a dealership and are required to have collision and comprehensive insurance, the financier may offer to purchase insurance on your behalf.
While this may appear to be a convenient method of obtaining the greatest vehicle insurance rates, it is not.
One or a few automobile insurance firms may be available to the financier or car dealership. You’ll be able to investigate and compare rates from numerous different insurers if you shop around ahead of time.
You will save time and money at the dealership if you obtain quotations ahead of time. Another thing to watch out for at the dealership: A proposal for gap insurance.
Gap insurance pays the difference between the insurance check and the amount you owe on your auto loan if your car is totalled in an accident.
It’s a smart way to account for the depreciation of the automobile. However, buying it via your insurance company rather than a dealership is often less expensive.
Gap insurance is usually included in your car loan and costs between $400 and $900 at the dealership or lending firm. Gap insurance is normally between 5% and 7% of your collision and comprehensive coverage premium, which works out to roughly $15 to $42 per year if purchased through your insurance company.
Another benefit of getting gap insurance through your insurance provider is that you can cancel it if the value of your vehicle approaches or exceeds the amount you owe on your auto loan. If you buy it from a dealership, you’ll be stuck with gap insurance until your loan is paid off.
Buying car insurance for the first time can be time-consuming and tiring, but the process is worth it. As a new car insurance buyer, there are things you have to have in mind in order to have the best insurance prices and procedures to follow to make it easier for you.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, car insurance is a crucial part of being a responsible car owner. With this knowledge, new car buyers will be able to purchase the right insurance for their needs and feel confident about the new responsibility that comes with car ownership – driving.
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FAQs
Who typically has the cheapest car insurance?
Cheapest auto insurance for full coverage: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for full coverage, a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, with an average rate of $143 a month and $1,712 a year, according to NerdWallet’s November 2025 analysis.
Who are trusted insurances?
Trusted Insurances is a trading name of Taurus Insurance Services Limited, www.taurus.gi, which is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission under Permission Number 5566 and authorised to passport general insurance intermediary services into the UK.
Which is the best company to buy car insurance?
Best Car Insurance Companies in India
HDFC Ergo Car Insurance.
Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance.
Royal Sundaram Car Insurance.
Acko Car Insurance.
SBI General Car Insurance.
Kotak Mahindra General Car Insurance.
Liberty Car Insurance.
Reliance General Car Insurance.
What is a good deductible for car insurance?
$500 is the most common car insurance deductible. Not every type of car insurance coverage uses a deductible. A higher car deductible can lower your insurance premium. You pick your deductible when buying insurance.
What happens if damage is less than deductible?
For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and your suffer $800 in damages, then your insurance company isn’t going to pay anything. The amount of damage is less than your deductible. You’re responsible for the first $1,000, so you’re responsible for the full $800 in this case.
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