What information do I need to give to my agent or company?

In order to obtain a price for an auto policy you'll need to provide your insurance professional with the following information.

About the car

For each car you want to insure, know:

• Make, model and year
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Safety features, such as passive restraint systems or anti-lock brakes
• Anti-theft devices, such as GPS trackers
• Roughly how many miles it will be driven annually

About your household

Let your insurance professional know if you already have a homeowners or other policy with the company. He or she will also want to know:

• Where you live
• Your car parking accommodations
• How much liability coverage you want. Consider the total value of your assets — the liability coverage will protect them, so choose accordingly.
• How much of a deductible you want on your policy. To help determine this number, think about what you can comfortably afford to pay out of pocket in the event of a loss.
• How many drivers are in your household

About the drivers

The people behind the wheels you're insuring impact the auto premium price. For each driver, know:

• Age
• Driving record
• Safe driving courses completed
• If student driver, grades (good grades might qualify for a discount).

Next steps: If you're shopping for car insurance, use these tips to save money.