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How do I buy car insurance for the first time?

New driver alert! How do I get insurance? Is there anything specific I should know?

avatar
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Buying insurance for the first time can feel overwhelming. But by following these steps, you can get the job done quickly and easily without the stress.
The first step toward buying
car insurance
is to gather personal information and details about the car, assuming you’ve already selected the one you want. This is everything you should compile:
  • Information on the car, such as the odometer reading and the VIN (vehicle identification number)
  • Driver’s license
  • Driving history/record
  • Insurance history
  • Marital status
  • Education level reached
  • Current residential address
The reason that insurers request this information is to assess your overall risk and give you a fair quote. First-time drivers should expect to pay more for their insurance than experienced safe drivers. However,
a good driving record over time
will lower your premiums.
Keep in mind that you need to have at least the
state minimum car insurance coverage
to legally drive in your state of residence.
Once you’re ready to find a quote, turn to insurance broker
Jerry
. Jerry is a free app that will help you find the right insurance for your budget. It provides quotes from up to 45 insurance companies in seconds so you don’t have to get quotes from each company individually. Jerry also gives you personalized recommendations based on your needs so you always get the right coverage.”
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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