- A car insurance quote index is a website or another type of guide that can list quotes from multiple car insurance companies for insuring a car. These indexes allow you to compare the rates from several different companies side-by-side, thus helping you make a decision as to which company to choose. This can be much faster than individually contacting each company to get a rate quote. On the other hand, individual policies may vary from company to company, and a car insurance quote index may not list the details of each policy as carefully as a direct quote from an insurer would.
- To use a car insurance quote index, the first step is to choose an index and visit its website. Examples include Internet Autoguide and Autobytel (see Resources) After entering some preliminary information, such as where in the country is your car parked, how long you have had a driver's license, and if you have been in any recent accidents, the quote index will ask a series of more detailed questions. These questions will cover things such as traffic tickets, if you've had your license suspended, and your education level. These are all important details that insurance companies use to determine your rate. The website will also ask how much insurance you want.
- After all of your information has been entered, the quote index website contacts various auto insurers' databases and provides your relevant information. The insurers respond with rate quotes that may reflect certain discounts. The quote index compiles all of these quotes and displays them so you can get an idea of what options are available.