Choosing the Right Car Insurer

The company that provides you with the lowest California car insurance quotes is not necessarily the best company to issue your policy. To help you decide on the right insurance company, follow these steps.

Before applying for insurance, visit your state's Department of Insurance.
  1. Check out the Department of Insurance's website for your state. Before you even apply for California car insurance quotes, visit the website for your state's Department of Insurance. You will find valuable information on consumer complaint ratios and basic rate comparisons. Check to make sure that the companies who offer you the lowest California Car Insurance Quotes also have a low consumer complaint ratio. This ratio will tell you how many complaints the company received for every 1,000 claims filed.

  2. Ask a body shop's opinion. If you know of a trustworthy local body shop, contact them and ask for their input on the most reliable insurers. Body shops have frequent contact with insurance companies, so they are often some of the best judges of quality. They can tell you which companies are the easiest to deal with, have the smoothest claims processes, and have the quickest vehicle repair processes. A body shop can also tell you if an insurer will force you to choose aftermarket car parts instead of original manufacturer equipment.

  3. Consult the J.D. Power ratings. J.D. Power offers one of the best and most reliable gauges of customer satisfaction in the business. The company contacts customers to rate their experiences on coverage options, claims handling, price, satisfaction with company representatives (e.g., agents, claims handlers), and their overall experience. It's important to look for a company that can offer competitive California car insurance quotes as well as excellent customer service.

  4. Assess the company's financial standing. Check the company's Standard & Poor's rating to make sure that they will have the financial stability to pay your claim, should you file one in the future. You don't want a company who can give you cheap California car insurance quotes but then stiffs you when you file a claim.

  5. Ask an agent. If you still have further questions or can't decide on an insurer, talk to agents from prospective insurance companies. They can tell you more about the company and answer your questions.
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