You buy your dream car, and the first question pops, “did you get insurance?”. Insuring your car is the most essential thing to be done once you buy it. You get an idea about the monthly insurance you will have to pay if you ask for a car insurance quote.
The expected amount which you will have to set aside for an auto insurance policy is what you mean by a car insurance quote. Car Insurance quotes estimated by various insurance companies give you a fair idea of what to choose when it comes to auto insurance policies.
One of the best ways to get an accurate quote is by using a Vehicle Identification Number or VIN. Following are some tips and tricks to find car insurance quotes by VIN. Before that, let us talk more about car insurance quotes in detail.
What are Car Insurance Quotes?
Car insurance quotes tell you the approximate amount a car owner has to pay monthly for an auto insurance policy. Insurers have various means to come up with a quote. The basic data required to calculate the quote is obviously the information of the car owner. Few insurers may also have a distinct formula to calculate the quote.
Factors Influencing Car Insurance Quotes
The car insurance quote which you get from the insurers may make you wonder sometimes. You scratch your head thinking what exactly goes in the heads of the insurers when they gave you the quote. Well, it is not surprising at all. The insurers consider an ample number of factors before quoting. The following are the factors which influence car insurance quotes.
*Personal Details – Your age, gender, education, and marital status help the insurer to determine how likely you will be in need of insurance during a plight.
*Driving Record – Your driving record gives an idea of how well and often you drive with/without accidents or speeding tickets.
*Credit Score – Your credit score gives an idea of your capability to repay debt. A high score will easily fetch you insurers.
*Location – The place where you reside immensely determines the amount of insurance you will have to bear. Higher the crash rates, thefts, or crimes, higher will be the amount taken from your pockets.
*Car Insurance Record – Your car insurance record shows your lapses, claims, and your previous/current insurer.
Significance of Car Insurance Quotes
Maintaining a car is all about money. Insuring your car is inevitable when it comes to taking good care of it. Paying for an insurance policy is worthwhile in case of accidents, repair work, theft or any other emergency. Well, the first step to select an auto insurance is to get car insurance quotes from insurers.
Car insurance quotes from various insurers give a comprehensive idea of insurance policies available for your car. Based on your age, driving history, location, and credit score, several insurance policies will be enlisted in front of you. You have the option to choose what’s best and affordable for you and that makes your car safe and secure.
Ways to get Car Insurance Quotes
There are many ways by which you can get a car insurance quote. You can either go to the office and enquire or contact the agent over the phone. Nowadays, many insurance companies offer the facility to get a car insurance quote online through their websites. All you need to do is enter the required information to get an estimation of the policy. Getting a car insurance quote by VIN is also used nowadays.
What is VIN?
VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is the specific code issued to an automobile as defined by the International Organization for Standardization. It comprises 17 characters, which is a mix of numbers and letters and serves as a unique identifier for motor vehicles.
Why is VIN important?
VIN is extremely crucial for many reasons. It helps in tracking registrations, claims, thefts, and insurance policies. VIN is imperative to get a car insurance policy. Knowing your VIN helps you easily understand the spare parts needed for your vehicle. VIN also aids in tracking the car history, which prevents you from being scammed by illegal or fraudulent sellers.
How can you find VIN?
The location of the VIN in your car can vary depending on the manufacturer. It is usually found in one of the following parts:
*The dashboard on the driver’s side.
*Below the hood of the car near the engine.
*Below the spare wheel in the car’s boot.
*Beneath the front grille of the car.
*In the side door of the driver.
Breaking down VIN
The characters in the VIN can be interpreted according to the following:
*The 1st digit tells you where the vehicle was assembled.
*The 2nd digit tells you its manufacturer.
*The 3rd digit tells you the vehicle type.
*Digits 4-9 deal with a vehicle description
*Digits 10-17 deal with information related to vehicle identification.
Car Insurance Quotes and VIN
Without entering much personal details and with just your VIN, you can get car insurance quotes. The insurance company can easily decipher the year and model of the car using VIN. In fact, getting an insurance quote using a VIN is much easier and more accurate.
But it is not always the case. Even with a VIN, you may not get accurate details if you have remodeled your car with new features. You may get a quote, but you may end up paying higher than that. Your VIN may tell the insurer about the type, model, and year of the car but not the information on the alarm system or other safety features. Revealing these details is significant for your quote to be accurate.
Car Insurance Quotes And Actual Premium Costs
Getting a car insurance quote using VIN is an easy way to estimate the amount you would have to pay for an insurance policy. While you may get a quote, the actual amount which comes after finalizing may differ as per your information and features of the vehicle. This misleading can cost you a lot and thus, it is always better to talk to an agent directly, disclosing all the relevant details before finalizing your insurance policy.