The most common way people shop for auto insurance is by using the hit or miss method. That's where you call a handful of auto insurance companies at random, hoping to stumble across the lowest price. However, what you heard over the phone may not always be what you expected when it's time to buy. Therefore, when it's time for you to shop for your auto insurance, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Get apples for apples comparisons.

   Make sure you get prices for the same insurance coverage's when you call various companies. For instance, make sure that they all quote liability at the same limits (for example 15/30/5). Also use the same deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage (for example $500 or $1,000).
    

2. Beware of those that avoid giving a price over the phone.

   These companies might say they shop all the carriers as an excuse not to give out a price. This is meant to get you in their office first. These days, shopping by the computer is quick and convenient. Therefore, there is no reason not to get a price over the phone. Ask what they're hiding if they won't give out a price? Usually it's a higher price.
    

3. Don't reveal your best price up front.

   One of the first things a company may ask you is what was the best price you had found so far. Apparently a company that would ask for that information first does not have much confidence in it's own pricing structure. The time to reveal your best price is after they have given their best price.
    

4. Don't be fooled by incomplete prices.

   Some companies may give only vague or partial prices over the phone. Therefore make sure you get the total price for the term of the policy. In addition, get the total down payment and monthly payments. Make sure the prices quoted include all their fees.
    

5. Don't be misled by those that say they shop over 100 companies.

   Saying they shop over 100 companies can really mean they only have access to five of them. How many they shop is not important. How many they can actually sell is important.
    

6. Don't be teased by those that arbitrarily say, "Payments as low as $39, $29, or even $19."

   Suggesting random, lowball payments in advertising or over the phone without knowing your driving information is meant to tease you. Also a lowball payment does you no good without knowing the full down payment first.
    

7. Be suspicious of ballpark prices.

   Ballpark or rounded-off prices are only a guess at best. Down payments and monthly payments always involve dollars and cents. Neat numbers like $50, $100, or $200 are not accurate and are usually lower than the real thing.
    

8. Don't be swayed when someone says their lowest price is guaranteed.

   Mentioning a guarantee doesn't mean a thing. If someone says his or her lowest price is "guaranteed," demand to see it in writing. Make sure that there are no loopholes, limitations, or restrictions. A guarantee should be ironclad when it's about price.
    

9. Don't be pressured.

   If someone is confident they have the lowest price, it can usually be detected in the sound of their voice. Don't let a desperate salesperson pressure you.
    

10. Don't be afraid to get up and leave.

    If the price is different than what you were told and the reason given is some misunderstanding or questionable mistake, don't be pressured into accepting it. Occasionally mistakes will happen. But it's usually for a valid reason that should make sense. If not, it's okay to get up and leave.
     

11. Don't buy your auto insurance from the trunk of a car.

    Coming to your home or office may be selling convenience, but it has nothing to do with the lowest price. Make sure you see an established location. After all, this is the place you are going to trust for your auto insurance protection and a picture can be worth a thousand words.

    Writing auto insurance in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

 You can call our customer service representatives Monday through Friday
9 am - 5:30 pm and Saturday 9 am - 2 p.m. to give you personalized phone quotes.