I've Gotten Over 1,000 Auto Insurance Quotes in My Lifetime. Here Are My 5 Top Time- and Money-Saving Tips

I've been writing car insurance reviews for over a decade now, and during that time, I've personally obtained thousands of insurance quotes for all types of drivers in every state in the U.S. Yes, it was tedious, even with the online forms most top providers offer today. But it also taught me a lot of valuable things I may not have learned otherwise.

Here are five of my best time- and money-saving tips you can use to find the best deal on your car insurance this year.

1. Shopping around really does make a difference

"Shop around" is the most cliche car insurance shopping advice out there, but there's a good reason for it. I've seen some companies offer a driver a rate of $130 per month while a competitor charged that same driver nearly $370 per month for the same coverage. That's a difference of $2,880 per year.

If the driver only got a quote from the second company, they might not realize they were getting a really bad deal. That's why it's best to get quotes from at least three to five companies before purchasing a policy.

2. Having all the necessary information speeds up the process considerably

Insurance companies generally ask for a lot of the same information. Most people know things like their birth date and their address off the top of their head. But things like their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Social Security number don't come to mind as easily. Noting these down before beginning the search for auto insurance can help drivers get their quotes a lot faster.

Those with accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other traffic violations on their record will also want to keep the dates of these incidents handy. Typically, insurers want to know about any accidents or infractions that have occurred within the last three to five years.

3. Focus only on companies with the coverage options you want

All auto insurers will provide the coverage legally required to drive in the state. But many drivers prefer to purchase higher limits or additional protections. Knowing which coverage options matter most to a particular driver can help them quickly weed out providers that aren't for them.

For example, if someone has a lease or loan on their car and they really want gap insurance, it doesn't make sense to consider providers that don't offer this. The same goes for those who want ridesharing coverage. Some companies have this and others don't. Focusing on dealbreakers upfront can reduce the number of quotes a driver has to get.

4. Always save your quotes

The best auto insurers have online quote tools that enable drivers to enter their email and save their quotes after they've gotten them. How long they can save their quote varies by provider. But it makes sense to do this for a few reasons.

First, getting car insurance quotes is boring, so it'll save drivers from entering their information too many times. And second, it's much easier to compare quotes when you can see them side by side.

5. Higher deductibles are often worth it

Raising a car insurance policy's deductible typically lowers monthly premiums. This difference varies by provider, but it can be pretty significant. However, it means drivers will have higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.

One way to handle this is to take the money saved by going with a higher deductible and place that money in an emergency fund, if you don't already have one. For example, if a premium is $250 per month with a low deductible and $200 per month with a high deductible, save that extra $50 per month until you've got enough to cover the higher deductible.

Even using the tips above, finding the best car insurance for you will still take time. But it's time well spent. Hopefully you won't need to file any claims, but if you do, you'll be glad you took the time to seek out the best deal possible.