Trying something new for the first time can feel overwhelming, and securing your first auto insurance policy is no exception. For many young adults, it’s an experience often met with hesitation or avoidance, typically due to a simple lack of understanding. The truth is, requesting your first auto insurance quote is often much simpler than it’s made out to be. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what to expect from your first auto insurance experience when working with us here at American Heritage Insurance Group.
Step 1: The Initial Call
The process begins with a simple phone call to our office. During this conversation, we’ll determine whether you’re currently listed under your parents’ policy and looking to branch out on your own, or if you’re starting completely fresh.
Step 2: Gathering Your Information
Next, we’ll collect a few important details from you to begin building your quote. This includes:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Address and contact information
- The names and number of drivers on the policy
Step 3: Driving History
We’ll ask about your driving record including information regarding any past violations, tickets, or accidents. These factors can impact your rate and policy placement, but as long as your record remains clean for 3–5 years, you will be eligible for the best pricing.
Step 4: Vehicle Details
Whether you’re adding a vehicle you already own, purchasing a new one, or transferring a car from your parents’ policy, we’ll need to know:
- The make, model, and year of the car
- The car’s Vehicle Identification Number or VIN (17 characters – numbers and letters)
- Whether it will be used for pleasure, commuting to work, or for rideshare purposes like Uber or Lyft
- Whether you’re financing the vehicle or have full ownership
Step 5: Education & Occupation
Some discounts are available based on your education level, so we’ll ask about your current or completed schooling, as well as your current occupation. Your job role matters especially if daily driving is involved. We’ll clarify whether you’re:
- Driving customers or clients
- Using a personal or company vehicle
- Driving as part of your daily job responsibilities
Step 6: Choosing Coverage Options
We’ll walk you through the different coverage limits available. Our agency standard limits of liability are $100,000 each person (bodily injury), $300,000 each accident (bodily injury), and $100,000 each accident (property damage), but we’ll help you determine what works best for your needs and budget.
We’ll also discuss your deductible options and advise you on choosing full coverage, especially for newer vehicles or if financing is involved.
We will also review with you other coverage options like Roadside Assistance, Towing, Rental Car Reimbursement, and GAP Insurance (if you have a loan).
And last, we will review options for savings and discounts for good drives using a Telematics App.
Step 7: Reviewing Your Quote
Once we’ve compiled everything, we’ll email or text you a copy of your customized quote. We will discuss the details and answer your questions over email or by phone, whatever works best for you.
Step 8: Finalizing the Policy
If you’re happy with the quote, we’ll collect your payment information, process your down payment, and send the official policy documents for your signature electronically to the email you provided us with.
Step 9: You’re Insured!
After everything is signed, we upload your policy to our system and send you your new ID cards. Just like that, you’re officially insured with American Heritage Insurance Group!
Still have questions? We’re here to guide you through every step of the way. Whether it’s your first car or your first policy, our team at American Heritage Insurance Group is committed to making the process as easy, seamless and supportive as possible.