CarInsurance.com Insights
- Shop once a year: Comparing car insurance quotes annually helps you stay on top of rate changes and discounts without overdoing it.
- Trigger events matter: Major life changes — like moving, adding a driver, or buying a new car — should prompt an immediate quote check.
- Too frequent shopping has limits: Repeated quote requests don’t always lead to savings and may waste time if your profile hasn’t changed.
- Smart comparisons beat price chasing: Always compare identical coverage levels across insurers to avoid underinsuring for a cheaper premium.
- Switching mid-policy can work — but time it right: You can change providers outside your renewal date if the savings outweigh any early cancellation fees.
Shopping for new auto insurance is a wise move, especially after a significant life change, like getting married, graduating from college or moving to another state.
The average premium varies from state to state due to state laws, traffic density, urbanization and miles driven per number of highway miles. Moving or other life changes can motivate shopping for insurance, but with the wide variety of auto insurance providers available, it can always pay to shop around.
How often should you compare car insurance quotes?
For most drivers, getting new quotes once a year is sufficient: Most insurers’ repricing cycles align with annual renewals.
Your premium can increase for several reasons, like adding a new driver or filing a claim. However, you don’t have to wait for an uptick in your premium to shop around. You may not be aware of some benefits, like getting a discount for paying your premium in full.
Auto insurance providers may also specialize in different areas, such as insuring high-risk drivers or offering better rates in specific regions of the country, so it can be advantageous to shop around.
Life events that should trigger a new quote
Premiums can increase upon renewal, which occurs every six months or sometimes once a year. If you have gotten a ticket or made a claim in those six months, you could see your rates increase.
Certain changes should prompt a quote check regardless of your annual cycle:
- Moving to a new ZIP code
- New vehicle purchase or lease
- Adding or removing drivers
- Changes in driving record (accidents or tickets)
- Marriage, divorce, or new employment
- Student status changes for young drivers
All in all, comparing rates regularly could benefit you more than you know.
Car Insurance Shopping Trigger Checklist
| Trigger Category | Specific Situation | Should You Shop? | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy timing | Your policy is up for renewal | Yes | Insurers often reprice at renewal and competitors may offer better rates |
| Premium change | Your rate increased without explanation | Yes | A premium hike may reflect insurer trends not your personal risk |
| Shopping gap | You haven’t compared quotes in 12 months | Yes | Annual reviews help surface new discounts and pricing models |
| New vehicle | You bought or leased a car | Yes | Vehicle type strongly affects premiums and coverage needs |
| Driver changes | You added or removed a driver | Yes | Household risk profile has changed |
| Teen milestone | A teen got a license or aged out of high-risk years | Yes | Rates can change significantly with driver age |
| Location change | You moved to a new ZIP code or state | Yes | Location affects risk, laws and insurer pricing |
| Lifestyle shift | You work from home or drive much less | Yes | Lower mileage can qualify you for lower rates |
| Life event | Marriage or divorce | Yes | Household composition and discounts may change |
| Discount eligibility | Credit score improved or new bundle available | Yes | New discounts may apply that weren’t available before |
| Minor changes only | No major life or policy changes | Maybe | Shopping may yield limited savings if nothing changed |
| Recent switch | You just changed insurers recently | No | Rates usually won’t improve immediately |
Shop for new car insurance when you buy a car
You frequently get a better rate by staying with a company for a long time, but if you are buying a new car and your relationship with your auto insurer is still new, it may be worth it to shop around, according to Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker/agent with A Plus Insurance.
“Since insurance prices vary based on the vehicle and the insurance company, insurance may be cheaper with another company,” she said. “If you shop for insurance, I recommend finding a company that can bundle all your insurance products for additional savings.”
For example, you could have two older vehicles on your insurance policy, but you then trade them to purchase a newer car. When you take the two older vehicles off your insurance policy and add the newer vehicle to it, you lose the multi-vehicle discount you had on your policy. This could significantly increase the cost of your policy, she said.
Should you shop for a new policy when you add or remove a driver?
Yes: Adding a new driver to your policy can increase or decrease your rate, depending on the driver’s age and driving experience. McKenzie said adding a spouse to your policy can make your rate drop in some cases if your spouse has a clean driving record because of the married-driver discount.
“Some insurance companies, like Progressive, specialize in high-risk drivers, meaning they offer cheaper insurance for younger drivers or drivers with violations on their record,” McKenzie said. “Each company has their preference of what type of driver and vehicles they want to insure, so making a big change like adding a driver can increase the rates if you are with a company that does not specialize in insuring high-risk drivers if they have violations or as a newly-licensed driver.”
Should you shop for insurance after an accident or ticket?
McKenzie said no. If you get a ticket or are in an accident and make a claim, staying with your current auto insurance provider can be a better option until your policy is near renewal.
Typically, your current auto insurance provider will not pull your driving record until the renewal, at which point your rates could increase due to the ticket or claim.
“If you switch to another insurance company, they will pull your driving record and the ticket will show up, impacting the rates right away versus at the end of your policy term,” she said. “At your renewal, if your rates have gone up due to the ticket, you may consider shopping around to see if another insurance provider may be cheaper with the ticket on your record.”
Expert tipsShopping too often isn’t always beneficial. Focus on annual reviews and key life events instead of weekly or monthly quote checks. Here’s when frequent shopping won’t help you:
- Minor price differences may reflect temporary rate changes
- Mid‑term switches can trigger short‑term cancellation fees
- Some discounts only apply at renewal
Shop for a new policy when you move
Shop for a new car insurance policy within 30 days of moving — or better yet, before you move. When you move to another state, you must contact your insurance provider and tell them about your relocation. Insurance policies are written at the state level, so a policy that insures you in one state will not cover you if you move to another, McKenzie said.
To legally drive on the road, you must have the minimum insurance required in your new state, which your auto insurance provider can help you obtain. Furthermore, not all companies offer policies in each state, so your old insurer might not be an option in a different state.
Should I shop for a new policy when my rate goes up?
Yes. First, you can talk to your auto insurance provider to see if adjusting the coverages on your policy could lower your costs, especially if you have coverage that exceeds what others may have. Another is to inform your auto insurance provider about changes in your life, such as getting marriedor completing a driver-safety program to see if this leads to a discount you previously didn’t have.
“Keep in mind, all insurance companies are different as far as coverages they offer, prices, and the quality of service,” McKenzie said. “Sometimes, a higher-quality company may be a better fit, even if they are a little bit more expensive than a lower-rated insurance company.”
Make sure to avoid these frequent errors when shopping for a new policy:
- Comparing quotes with different coverage limits
- Forgetting to include all household drivers
- Focusing only on price instead of coverage gaps
- Ignoring insurer reputation or claim service quality
Final thoughts on shopping for car insurance
Life happens, and people move to a different state for a new job, to be near family, or to live in an ideal location. Teenagers get added to policies, and adults with good driving records still need to make a claim. But you don’t need a life change or premium increase to shop for better car insurance rates or added discounts.
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Frequently Asked Questions: When to shop for car insurance
Should I shop for insurance more often than once a year?
Generally no, unless you experience a life event or your renewal rate spikes unexpectedly.
Will shopping more often hurt my credit or score?
Most car insurance quotes don’t affect your credit score because they involve soft inquiries.
Should I compare insurers or just update my current plan?
Always compare with competitors before renewing — competitors may offer better discounts.
Is a cheaper quote always better?
No. Cheaper quotes with less coverage or worse customer service may not be the best value.
How many quotes should I get at once?
At least three competitive quotes to ensure a good comparison.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Keep Teen Drivers Safe.” Accessed January 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute. “Facts and Statistics: Auto Insurance.” Accessed January 2026.
- J.D. Power. “Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.” Accessed January 2026.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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