Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

What personal information do car insurance companies look at?

I’ve been with the same car insurance company for years, but I think I’m overpaying for coverage. This is the first time I’ll switch providers. What records or personal information can they see that could influence my new rates?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The first thing to know is that your right to privacy and to withhold your personal information is protected by federal law. That being said, personalized
car insurance quotes
have their advantages. They’re more accurate and you might qualify for discounts that you didn’t know existed!
Requesting a quote usually involves providing the following to an insurance agent or
trustworthy insurance comparison app
:
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number
  • Address
  • Social Security Number 
You might also see a request for permission to access your credit report.
Once that’s done, providers
calculate car insurance
rates using both your personal information and state records, including your:
  • Age
  • Location
  • Credit score
  • Driving record
  • Insurance claims history
  • Vehicle model and year
Keep in mind: Because every car insurance provider uses a different formula and caters to different demographics, there’s no single cheapest car insurance company for every driver.
Pro tip: To get the best deals, you should go
shopping for auto insurance
at least twice a year. The process might seem intimidating, but you’ll get the hang of it!
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.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings