How to Get Car Insurance for the First Time

Knowing about insurance is only half the battle; facing the cost is a whole other beast. Keep reading to learn how to get car insurance for the first time, what documents and information are needed, and how to lower the cost of car insurance for first-time buyers.

As a first-time car insurance buyer, you must gather some necessary information and documentation. The order in which the steps of purchasing car insurance will occur are as follows:

Selecting car insurance for first-time buyers can be tricky, as a lot of preparation is needed before purchasing a policy. For example, if you’re on a budget, you will need to ensure the cost of your policy with the coverage you have selected will be affordable. 

You must also meet your state’s minimum legal requirement for car insurance coverage. This will largely depend on what kind of car you’re driving, as the requirements may differ for people who own new or used cars and people who lease cars. 

Purchasing car insurance for first-time buyers can be time-consuming, just in the time it may take you to track down all the necessary documentation, let alone the actual purchasing time. We highly recommend preparing all your documents before the need for a policy becomes imminent, as the act of purchasing a policy can take some time, too. All this information is needed to get you the best policy at the lowest rate. 

Remember that you will need to provide this information for every driver covered on your policy. Here is a list of all the documents your agent or provider may need to get you a quote and your policy:

Car insurance providers need this information to determine your premiums. Most car insurance providers consider age, gender, type of car, and several other factors when determining your premiums.

Some agents or providers may ask you for the following information for discount eligibility purposes:

Various providers offer discounts for students, members of affiliation groups, veterans, proven good drivers, and people who take out multiple insurance policies with one provider. If you provide the information listed above, you could be eligible for some major discounts with your provider.

The process of getting car insurance for the first time is the same as getting your own car insurance. You can get your own policy online, over the phone, or in person if your desired provider has a location near you. If you’re in person, remember to bring all the documentation and information listed above.

In most cases, those who are getting their own car insurance have already been insured on a parents’ policy, meaning you will have to take out a policy of your own with your current provider or switch providers. If you’re moving from your parent’s house or if they no longer claim you as a dependent, you will need to get your own car insurance policy.

Not only do you have to prepare all the necessary information and documentation, but once you get a quote, you must verify that the cost is within your budget. You will likely have to pay more on your own insurance policy if you’re a new or young driver coming off your parent’s policy. If you’re a new driver, you will likely pay more than experienced drivers of the same age until you build your driving record and prove to your insurer that you’re a safe driver.

The cost of insurance for a first-time car insurance buyer will depend on your driving history, among other factors. The average cost of insurance for a first-time driver, for example, is about $2,000 annually but can range anywhere from $500 to well over $5,000 depending on the type of coverage you have, your age, gender, and in what state you’re insured. If you’re not a first-time driver and are at least in your mid-to-late 20s, the average cost of insurance on your own policy is about $1,000 annually.

If you’re not a first-time driver, the cost of your first auto insurance policy will also depend on what type of car you’re insuring. Insurance for first-time car buyers tends to be higher than insurance for people who have purchased cars in the past and proven to be safe drivers.

Car insurance providers consider each of the things mentioned above when determining the premiums on your car insurance policy. If you receive a quote out of your budget, one of the best ways to get cheaper car insurance as a first-time driver is to opt for liability coverage only.

While opting for only liability coverage may not be the safest choice, especially for new drivers, it’s undoubtedly the cheapest. Liability coverage may not be the safest option because it only covers expenses for the other party in an accident where the policyholder is deemed at fault. New drivers who are still learning the ways of the road may find that liability coverage is a considerable risk.

If you need cheap car insurance as a first-time driver or a first-time car insurance buyer, take advantage of the many discounts offered by top car insurance providers. Several providers’ discounts may save you up to 50% off your premiums when combined.

Many car insurance providers offer one-time deals for first-time drivers and first-time car insurance buyers, as well as discounts you may add to your plan to decrease what you pay on your premiums. For example, State Farm, Geico, and Progressive offer some of the lowest rates for new drivers who opt for minimum coverage. These providers also offer discounts for good students, safe drivers, and policyholders with multiple cars insured or policies with the same provider. 

If you purchase your own car insurance policy for the first time and are enrolled as a full-time student earning at least a 3.0 GPA, you may be eligible for your provider’s good student discount. Some companies may offer up to 25% off your premiums with this discount. 

If you practice safe driving habits, you may want to consider enrolling in your provider’s safe driving program. Many providers have programs that track your driving through an app or a plug-in device that will reward you for safe driving (driving the speed limit, no abrupt braking, wearing a seatbelt, etc.) with discounts on your premiums. 

While good driver programs are great for safe drivers, if you’re a new driver, you may want to wait a couple of years before enrolling in a safe driving program. Some providers may use the data they collect while you drive to increase your premiums if you don’t always make safe choices on the road.

Many car insurance providers also offer discounts for having multiple cars on one policy or multiple policies taken out with the same provider, so be on the lookout for those if they apply to you. 

Depending on your car insurance provider, the combination of several discounts may save you up to 50% off your premiums.

To get car insurance for the first time, you will want to shop around for quotes from several providers so you may decide which provider best suits your needs. You can get a free quote here at Clovered by submitting your information using our online quoting form.

If you have any unanswered questions about car insurance for first-time buyers, you can give us a call at 833-255-4117 or send us an email at [email protected], and one of our agents would be happy to help you.