Buy car insurance online: Here’s how to get auto insurance instantly

Do you want to buy car insurance online?

Buying car insurance online is great if you want to shop on your schedule and save time and money. The benefit of buying car insurance online is that you can quickly get quotes from insurers without repeatedly calling and providing the same information.

It’s convenient because you can shop whenever you want. Best of all, because you can get multiple quotes quickly, you can find the most affordable policy and save more money. Keep reading for more about buying car insurance online.

How do you buy car insurance online?

In this guide, we’ll explain how to buy car insurance online and answer some of the most common questions about the process.

First, figure out how much you currently pay (per month and annually) and understand your coverage limits. You might have to permit insurers to check your credit report and driving record. In most states, both play a crucial role in determining your rates.

Step 1: Compare car insurance quotes from different companies

Figure out how much car insurance you should buy, what average car insurance rates are for your ZIP code for your age group and your preferred level of coverage. Then, you’re ready to begin researching quotes from carriers – get quotes from at least three insurers when comparing car insurance.

Step 2: Select coverage limits to buy car insurance online

You’ll need to purchase liability insurance since it’s required in nearly all states to drive a car legally. Bodily injury liability coverage covers other people’s injuries if you’re at fault in an accident. Property damage liability insurance pays for the damage to another vehicle or other property caused by your car.

While you can legally drive after buying your state minimum liability coverage, it’s not recommended because the cost of a car accident can be much higher than what your insurance will pay out if you have only minimum coverage. 

Unless your income and assets are minimal – you do not own a home or have savings or investments – the Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends purchasing insurance coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

Buying extra liability insurance to protect you and your assets is typically affordable. It’s an example of how the best car insurance may not be the cheapest. 

Once you’ve set your liability limits, decide if you want to purchase optional coverages, such as:

Step 3: Save money when you buy car insurance online

Consider increasing your deductible and maximizing discounts to reduce your car insurance expenses.

Shoppers can save 9% to 23% by increasing their deductibles from $250 to $1,000 on a full coverage policy, according to CarInsurance.com data. See the table below for how much you can save on your car insurance policy by increasing your deductible.

During your online buying process, you will be asked questions that will let insurers know if you qualify for car insurance discounts, which will help you get the cheapest car insurance, such as discounts for

Step 4: Pay for your new car insurance policy and get your insurance card

Once you’ve purchased your auto insurance policy, you can download an insurance card or print your proof of coverage. Ensure your new policy begins before your old policy ends so you don’t have a coverage gap. Then, you can cancel your old policy.

Read our guide to switching car insurance companies

How much does online car insurance cost?

Like any other insurance quote, how much car insurance costs is based on personalized factors such as your credit score, address and ZIP code, driving records of all drivers on the policy and the make/model of the vehicle you’re looking to insure.

Here’s how much you’ll pay for car insurance in your ZIP code.

Can I buy car insurance instantly online?

In most cases, yes, and you’ll typically pick a date for coverage that can be the current date. As in today – once you pay, you’ll be covered. There are several pros and cons of buying auto insurance online.

Which insurance companies sell same-day car insurance?

Several insurers provide the option to purchase car insurance with coverage that becomes effective on the same day. While not all may explicitly label it as “same-day” car insurance, if they policy’s start date is the same as the purchase date, it qualifies as such.

Some of the companies that will insure you instantly include:

Unlock valuable insights on how to choose the best car insurance company.

When is car insurance not available online instantly?

When you get a car insurance quote online, companies use basic information to give you a quote – your address, make and model of the vehicle, etc. So, if you don’t have this information or if an insurer has to look at whether it can provide coverage, it can prevent you from getting a same-day policy.

Here are a couple of reasons you might not be able to get same-day coverage:

FAQs: Can you buy car insurance online?

Here are some common questions you may have about how to buy car insurance online and expert advice so you can shop with confidence.

Is it safe to buy car insurance online?

Yes, it’s safe to buy car insurance online. Just as you would take precautions when buying any other service or product online, you want to be sure the vendor is legitimate by researching the company’s history, reading the site’s “About Us” section and its terms of privacy and security.

You can also check with your state’s insurance commissioner to see if the company is listed and how many complaints it has received, as well as the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Is it cheaper to buy car insurance online or from an agent?

It depends on the company from which you buy a policy. Buying online might not be cheaper if the car insurance company sells coverage online and through agents at its offices. Regardless of whether the carrier has agents working out of offices, there are discounts associated with buying online that may lower your rate.

Check out our detailed guide on Is it cheaper to buy car insurance online or from an agent

Will shopping for car insurance online hurt my credit?

No, says Rocky Lalvani, a financial coach, an enrolled agent with the IRS and Profit Comes First consultant. He’s based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

“The type of information the company looks at creates a ‘soft inquiry,’ which does not affect your score,” Lalvani says. “However, saving money on car insurance that you can use to pay down your debt will increase your credit score.”

Why the connection between car insurance and credit scores?

“Insurance companies are looking at risk, and they use a variety of claims and financial data to determine your rates,” Lalvani says.

A solid credit score may indicate lower risk, potentially leading to better rates.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

Insurance Information Institute. “Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage.” Accessed January 2023.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Consumer Resources.” Accessed January 2023.

BBB.org. “Better Business Bureau.” Accessed January 2023.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned the Auto Coverages Report 2022 to field rates for a 40-year-old male driver of a Honda Accord LX 2021 with good credit, full coverage and a $500 deductible.

– Michelle Megna contributed to this story.

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

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John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

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Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

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*Carinsurance.com is not affiliated with any state or government agency. Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data, by comparing their current reported premium against their new policy premium, and the driver meeting certain criteria. Also, safe driver and other discounts may have been applied to achieve the advertised rate, which may not be available to the average consumer. Your actual quoted rate may vary greatly and may be subject to adjustment based on verification of your self-reported data.

Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data and the driver meeting certain criteria. Also, safe driver and other discounts may have been applied to achieve the advertised rate, which may not be available to the average consumer. Your actual quoted rate may vary greatly and may be subject to adjustment based on verification of your self-reported data.