What information do I need to provide to get an insurance quote?

If you already have a car insurance policy, you may want to have the declarations page in front of you when you request a quote from another company. That page will likely include information you’ll need to provide to get a car insurance quote. For instance, you may be asked for:

• The make, model and vehicle identification number for each car you need to insure
• The names of the drivers covered by the policy
• Your current coverages and limits.

To provide you with an auto insurance quote, the agent will likely also ask for the following:

• Personal information.
  This may include the dates of birth, Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers for each family member who will be on the policy.
• Driving history.
  This is an overview of any past tickets or auto accidents incurred by family members you want to cover on the policy.
• More background.
  Your agent may ask whether you rent or own your home, and a bit about your assets and income. This information can be helpful as you choose your liability coverage limits.

The types of coverage you choose and the limits and deductibles you select for each type of coverage will play a role in the cost of an insurance policy.

To get a quote for renters insurance, you’ll likely need to provide your name, Social Security number, address of the rental home and number of rooms.

The agent will also ask questions about your belongings. You’ll choose your personal property coverage limit based on the value of the stuff you own, and the amount of coverage you request will be a factor in the quote you receive.

To get a homeowners insurance quote, you’ll typically be asked to provide identifying information such as your birth date and Social Security number, as well as the address of the home you want to insure.

The coverages and limits you request will help determine how much you’ll pay for a policy. An agent may also ask about:

• Renovations and repairs.
  Have you or the current homeowner recently replaced the roof or done major renovations? If the home is new to you, your agent may be able to get some of this information by pulling local building permits.
• Current condition and amenities.
  How old is your water heater? When did you last do any major work on your plumbing? Do you have a fireplace? Custom master bathroom? Details like these help determine the home’s current condition and how much it may cost to repair or rebuild it in the event that it’s damaged by a covered peril.

An agent may ask fairly personal questions before providing you with a life insurance quote, so plan to talk privately (not in your work cubicle where coworkers can overhear).

Along with basic identifying information, the agent may ask about:

• Health history.
  Do you have any chronic conditions? Have you had major surgeries or accidents in the past five to 10 years? The insurance company’s underwriting department may also ask you to authorize a release of your medical records.
• Current health.
  Before you get a final insurance quote, you may be asked to undergo a medical exam — to include blood, urine and possibly cardiovascular testing.
• Insurance goals.
  The agent will likely ask about the purpose of the life insurance policy. Would it be used to pay off your mortgage in the event that you pass away? Replace your income until your spouse can collect Social Security? Help pay for a child’s college education? You’ll want to consider what you want the coverage to be used for when determining the type and the amount of coverage that’s right for you.
• Income and assets.
  This financial information is used, along with your insurance goals, to help you determine your ideal amount of coverage and length of the policy’s term.

If you’re requesting quotes from multiple insurers, it’s important to provide the same information to each one so you can make accurate comparisons. A little preparation can help you have easy access to the information you’ll need to obtain an insurance quote.