Your agent will ask you what make and model cars you own, roughly how many miles you drive each year, and what kind of liability coverage you will need. The agent will also want to know how many people drive the cars, how old the drivers are, where you live, and driving records of each household member.

The agent will then ask more detailed questions about your cars, such as their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), whether they have passive restraint systems or air bags, anti-lock brakes or anti-theft devices. If you already have another insurance policy with the company for home or life insurance, you might receive a discount on your auto policy. You should also mention if you or other drivers in your household have completed safe-driving courses and if student drivers in your home are getting good grades -- both of these may qualify you for discounts on your auto policy.

Once the agent has assembled all of the information, a premium will be quoted to you. The premium will depend on all the factors above and on the deductibles you choose.

Source: Insurance Information Institute, Inc. www.iii.org

Depending on your state, the company or agent may also ask for your social security number (SSN) so that they may run a credit report.  Companies use your credit information to “score” you.  Even though credit scores don’t tell the insurance company anything about your driving history, they have proven to be a good predictor of future activities.

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