Compare
What to compare, and in what order
This is not a ranking of insurers. It is the specification to hold every quote against, so a cheaper number means a cheaper policy rather than a smaller one.
How this table is built.
- Ordered by consequence: the items where being wrong costs the most come first.
- Nothing in this table is paid placement, and no insurer is named.
- Each row states what to check and why, not which option is 'best'.
- Where practice varies by state, the row says so rather than generalising.
| What to check | Why it matters | What a thin quote does | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability limits | Anything above your limit is your personal responsibility | Drops quietly to the state minimum | Your state insurance department publishes the minimums |
| Property damage liability | Pays for the other vehicle or property you damage | Set at the legal floor | The declarations page of your current policy |
| Collision deductible | Decides what a repair costs you | Raised to make the premium look lower | Ask the insurer to quote several levels |
| Comprehensive deductible | Often set separately from collision | Assumed identical to collision | Ask the insurer to quote several levels |
| Uninsured motorist cover | Covers you when the other driver has too little | Removed entirely | Your state insurance department |
| Extras — rental, roadside, glass, gap | Each is a real cost if you need it and do not have it | Stripped out to reach a headline price | Check what you already have via cards or clubs |
| Total annual cost including fees | Monthly figures hide instalment and policy fees | Quoted monthly only | Ask for the full annual cost in writing |
| Financial strength and complaint record | This is what the promise to pay is actually worth | Not mentioned | Rating agencies and your state insurance department |
This tells you what to compare. It cannot tell you which insurer is best for you, because that depends on how each one's rating model reads your particular profile — which is only knowable by quoting.
Next step
If you are ready to gather quotes
How we make money: some links here are partner or affiliate links and we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we write or how options are ordered — see our disclosure and methodology.
Partner
Rather talk it through first?
Tell us your situation and a relevant partner may follow up. This is not an application and does not check whether you are eligible for anything.
Tell us your situation →