4 Reasons Why You Should Always Be Shopping for Insurance

Saving cash, getting better coverage, and finding a better price if you have a poor driving record are all good reasons to shop for insurance regularly.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
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Saving money, learning more about car insurance and how to get the most out of it, getting the best price for your driving record, and lowering costs associated with changes to your policy are four excellent reasons to always be on the lookout for better car insurance rates.
And when you’re looking for great
car insurance
rates, look no further than
Jerry
! This car super app gathers quotes from more than 50 insurers and takes care of everything once your make your pick—from signing you up to your new policy to helping you cancel your old one to automatically searching for better rates before every renewal.
We’re breaking down why you should always be shopping for insurance. So read on to learn more!

Why you should always be shopping for insurance

You never want to pass up an opportunity to save some money, get a better understanding of the insurance game, and lower your rates due to a change in your insurance coverage.

So you’re always be paying the best price

Insurers regularly adjust prices, so always be on the hunt for a better insurance premium.
  • What one carrier charges may be very different than another
  • Average rates change by 2% to 3% every few years
  • Competitive or better rates are likely out there—you just need to look
As for the best time to look, this will ultimately depend on you and your needs. But in general, keep an eye out for a better rate if:
  • You’ve been accident-free for 3 to 5 years—see what deals other insurers offer and if your current provider will match or do better
  • You’re moving—changing zip codes can dramatically affect your premium, so look around for the best rate

So you’ll understand exactly what you’re paying for

Frequently shopping around for insurance quotes gives you a better idea of how insurers evaluate you as a policyholder and as a risk. You can use this information to save money!
  • Understanding how insurers assess your risk profile will help you negotiate for better rates
  • With a clean driving record and a history of on-time payments, you’ll learn how much power you have in negotiating—and you can use this to get concessions like lower premiums and more perks and discounts
If you have bad credit or a poor driving record, shop around! You don’t have to accept the first rate offered to you, so see which insurer will give you the lowest rate.
As you shop around, you’ll gain more knowledge that ultimately means more money in your pocket. For example, many people scoff at the idea of paying a
higher deductible
on principle—but it can offer some significant savings.
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To get the most affordable price for your driving record 

If you don’t have the best driving record, don’t despair—there are insurance providers who specialize in helping drivers with less-than-stellar driving records
Don’t be shy when shopping around in your hunt for the best rates! 

To accommodate changes to your coverage needs

Another reason to shop around for better rates is when life happens—you buy a new car or add one to your policy, you get married and want to add a spouse to your plan, or if your teen gets their license and you want to add them to your policy as well.
  • The
    make and model of the car
    can have a strong impact on your rate
  • Ask about any discounts for adding more than one vehicle to a policy
  • If your premium is set to go up with the addition of a new vehicle, shop around and see which insurer gives you the best rate
  • Adding a new driver, such as a spouse, to your policy can make your premium go up—which is another opportunity to shop around
If you’re adding a teen driver to your policy, this will make your costs vault into the stratosphere. Younger, newer drivers are much more likely to be involved in accidents than older, more experienced drivers.
  • Shop around because some providers offer incentives for
    car insurance for teens
    , such as:
  • Discount for maintaining a good GPA
  • Discount for taking a state-approved defensive driver’s course
  • Discount for student being more than 100 miles away at school when the car is at home
MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for a young driver

Things to remember when shopping for car insurance

When you’re set to shop for a competitive insurance policy, check your credit score to get an idea of how insurers will calculate your rate. Take advantage of online insurance shopping to compare multiple insurance policies and secure the best premium available to you.

Take advantage of online insurance shopping with Jerry

Using a top-rated car insurance app like
Jerry
is the best way to browse dozens of tailored insurance quotes quickly and find savings on your premium.
Jerry compares rates from more than 50 insurers across the country in seconds. Once you’ve made your pick, Jerry will handle all the paperwork and phone calls to get you set up with your new policy (and help you cancel your old one!). 
The average Jerry customer saves $879 per year on their car insurance!
 “A seamless process and a fantastic app!
Jerry
saved me over $2,000 on car insurance. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.” —Osvaldo B.
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