First: make the inputs match
A quote is only comparable when it is built from the same assumptions. Before comparing quotes, confirm each one uses the same listed drivers, the same vehicles, the same annual mileage, the same address, and the same coverage limits and deductibles. If the inputs differ, the numbers are not comparable — ask for the quote to be rebuilt with matching assumptions.
Keep your current declarations page handy as the baseline: it lists your existing coverages, limits, and deductibles in one place. Not sure what is on your current policy? The policy review checklist walks through it topic by topic first — without entering any of it here.
What to compare besides the monthly price
Work through these ten factors for every quote:
01Coverage limits
Two quotes can look identical on price while carrying very different limits. Check the liability limits — per person, per accident, and for property damage — and the uninsured/underinsured motorist limits on every quote before comparing anything else.
How liability limits work02Deductibles
The deductible changes what you pay out of pocket after many claims, and it changes the premium with it. Compare the same deductible across quotes, and ask yourself whether you could comfortably pay each one after a loss.
How deductibles work03Collision and comprehensive
Some quotes include physical-damage coverage and some do not. If your vehicle is financed or leased, a lender or lease may require both. Note the deductible on each, because they do not have to match each other.
Collision coverage explained04Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
States differ on whether UM/UIM is required and at what limits. Because it addresses the at-fault driver's missing coverage, treat its presence and limits as a first-class comparison item, not a footnote.
How UM/UIM works05Rental coverage
Rental reimbursement is an optional coverage that may help with a rental car while your vehicle is repaired after a covered loss. Quotes differ on whether it is included, its daily limit, and how many days it covers.
06Roadside assistance
Towing, jump starts, flat tires, and lockouts — often an optional add-on with its own limits. If you already have roadside coverage through another membership, having it on two policies may be redundant.
07Exclusions
Exclusions list what a policy does not cover. Two quotes with similar limits can differ sharply here. Read the exclusions section of any policy or sample policy you are given before deciding.
What “full coverage” leaves out08Discounts
Discounts can reduce a premium, but they differ by insurer and depend on eligibility factors. Ask each insurer or licensed agent which discounts apply to your situation — and remember a discount on the wrong coverage mix is not automatically the better deal.
09Payment terms
Monthly, quarterly, or annual billing; installment fees; automatic-payment requirements; and what happens if a payment is late. A quote that looks cheaper monthly can cost more once payment terms are included.
10Claims and service considerations
How would you report a claim — app, phone, agent? How are repairs handled? Where do you find policy documents? These questions do not show up in the price, but they shape what a claim feels like later.
Write the comparison down
Prefer a table instead of memory? The compare quotes workspace gives you a side-by-side sheet for up to three quotes, right in your browser — nothing you type leaves the page.
A simple grid on paper or a spreadsheet works too: one column per quote, one row per factor above. Record the quote date, the assumptions used, and anything the quote documents say about exclusions or service. If a detail was not provided, write “ask” rather than assuming it matches the others.
Remember: this site does not rank insurers, publish rates, or rate products. Your situation — your vehicle, household, state, and risk tolerance — decides which mix fits, and a licensed insurance professional can help you evaluate it.