The internet has made shopping for car insurance easier than ever before. However, most insurance providers ask for loads of personal information, like your email address and phone number, before providing you with a quote. Giving up this information can mean that you are subjected to near endless streams of phone calls, texts, spam and junk mail. But can you get online car insurance quotes without personal info?
Fortunately, you can. In this guide, we’ll discuss getting auto insurance quotes without personal information. We also answer important questions about the reliability of these quotes and discuss what details a company really needs to be able to provide a cost assessment.
Our team has reviewed every major insurance provider in the country. Enter your zip code above to start getting free quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in your area.
What Personal Information Does an Insurance Company Need to Give a Quote?
Not all of the information that insurance companies collect is for sales purposes. In fact, some of it is essential to providing you with an accurate assessment of insurance costs in your area.
One of the key pieces of information that insurance companies need is your driver’s license number. This number allows the company to obtain your complete driving record. Your driving history is used as a means of assessing risk, which affects your rate quote.
For example, if you have been in multiple traffic crashes, then you will likely be charged a higher rate. This is because the insurance company will view you as a “high-risk” driver.
In addition, insurance companies will need your vehicle identification number (VIN). This is used to verify the year, make and model of your vehicle(s). More expensive and complex vehicles cost more to repair. As you might expect, they are also more expensive to insure.
Prior insurance information, your date of birth and your physical address are also considered to be essential information. Your birth date and prior insurance information are used to verify your identity. Insurance companies will compare previous insurance documents to help prevent insurance fraud.
Your address is used to gather data such as population density, crash statistics and other information that may influence your chances of being involved in a crash. Insurance rates vary largely from state to state and even across different zip codes. For instance, rural drivers often benefit from cheaper rates because they are less exposed to vehicular traffic and are less likely to file a claim.
What Personal Information Do You Not Need to Share?
As you can see, most of the information that insurance companies collect is part of a legitimate risk assessment process. However, there are a few pieces of information that you can avoid sharing until you commit to a company. These include your email address and phone number.
When you are asked for your email address, you can provide a “burner” email. This is simply a junk email address that you only use for online applications. You can always update it later when finalizing your insurance policy. You can avoid giving out a legitimate phone number as well by obtaining a Google Voice number and then updating it later if you decide to purchase coverage.
Keep in mind that you should never lie about your address or driving history. This information is required by the insurance companies to provide you an accurate quote. Intentionally providing false information like this to obtain a policy is a form of insurance fraud, which could result in fines or even jail time.
Are Anonymous Car Insurance Quotes Reliable?
Anonymous car insurance quotes can actually be quite reliable, depending on your definition of “anonymous.” If you are referring to ads that make broad statements such as “car insurance as low as $29 a month,” then no, anonymous quotes are not all that dependable. However, if you are referring to car insurance quotes that withhold your email address and primary phone number, then yes, they can be very accurate.
When you’re on the hunt for a new car insurance policy, it is important that you understand the difference between non-guaranteed and guaranteed quotes. These important phrases are usually found in fine print at the bottom of an insurance company’s page.
A guaranteed quote means that you will pay that amount for coverage if you partner with that company. As the name implies, a non-guaranteed quote can change after you complete your application for coverage.
Remember, auto insurance companies are relying on data that you provide. The more accurate the information is, the more precise the quote will be. Information like your address, VIN, and driving history are the most important. In fact, you cannot obtain a quote without this data. Companies may also consider credit history and other financial information when setting your rates.
How Comparative Rating Systems Work
Whether you are obtaining online car insurance quotes without personal info or are working with a third-party agent, your search will likely involve a comparative rating system. This unique technology is what allows you to compare multiple rates quickly and efficiently. Our quote tool below relies on an advanced comparative rating system.
Comparative raters use complex algorithms to find you great quotes. While their internal workings are quite complex, they are extremely user-friendly.
The system will use your zip code and other essential information, as detailed above, to find insurance quotes. It will then automatically narrow your results down to a list of the top two to four carriers in your area. The rating system uses criteria provided by the carrier to match insurance companies with the “ideal” customers.
For example, Progressive is famous for working with high-risk drivers. If you have a few accidents or traffic citations in your driving history, then Progressive may appear in your results.
Our Recommendations for Auto Insurance
In our industry-wide review of the nation’s top insurers, GEICO and Progressive both earned a spot in our top four. These are reliable insurance companies that can provide affordable rates for many drivers. To start comparing free quotes for yourself, enter your zip code below.
GEICO: Best Overall
GEICO is our most highly recommended insurance company, receiving strong scores in every review category. You can get standard car insurance coverage with GEICO, as well as extras like roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance. The provider is highly rated by experts like AM Best and J.D. Power. Overall, we gave it a score of 9.1 out of 10.0.
Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers
Progressive is a smart choice for high-risk drivers. We awarded the company an 9.1 out of 10.0 overall for its strong coverage offerings, price point and technology. Progressive doesn’t score quite as highly as competitors when it comes to customer service, but for many drivers it is the right choice for coverage and offers many discount opportunities.
FAQ: Online Car Insurance Quotes Without Personal Info
Is it safe to get car insurance quotes online?
Yes, getting car insurance quotes online is completely safe and secure. Your information is protected when using reliable quote tools. Keep in mind though that car insurance companies may use your personal information like your email address to contact you after receiving a quote.
How do comparative rating systems work?
Comparative rating systems utilize the data you enter to match you with insurance providers. You will generally receive a list of several top providers in your area.
What’s the best way to compare free car insurance quotes?
The best way to compare free car insurance quotes depends on what you are looking for. Online quote tools are a simple and effective way to quickly compare quotes from one or more providers. You can also get a quote in person or over the phone, which may provide a more personalized experience.
Who offers the cheapest auto insurance?
There is not one cheapest auto insurance provider for everyone. Rates between providers vary depending on a number of factors. However, we have found that GEICO, USAA and Progressive have some of the cheapest insurance rates for the average driver.
How can I get instant auto insurance?
You can purchase auto insurance in a few easy steps. The simplest way to do so is to get a free online quote directly from a provider or from a quote comparison tool that can show you rates from multiple providers. Once you have received a few quotes, select the option that best suits your needs. Follow the prompts on the insurance provider’s page, and you will have an active policy in minutes.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car insurance provider to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Our in-depth rating system takes into account market share, coverage, pricing, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each insurer is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.
We recommend auto insurance companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
