No, red cars do not cost more to insure than other colors. While this is a common misconception, the Insurance Information Institute reassures drivers that the color of your car does not factor into the cost of auto insurance. Nevertheless, other vehicle characteristics do play a role in the price of your policy, including the age and cost of your car.  

Your auto insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket after an at-fault accident before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest. For example, if you have a deductible of $500 and are in a covered accident with damages worth $3,000, you would need to pay $500 before your insurance company pays the remaining $2,500. Your deductible amount varies based on your policy terms. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums, but the more you’re required to pay in the event of an accident. 

If you lease or finance your vehicle, gap insurance helps cover the gap between what you owe on your vehicle and your car’s actual cash value in the event it is stolen or totaled in an accident.  

Because car insurance companies usually only cover up to the market value of your vehicle in the case of a total loss, gap insurance protects you from being “upside-down” on your loan, owing more to your lender than your car is worth. Gap insurance on a vehicle makes the most sense when you lease or buy a brand-new car that’s less than three years old and/or put a small down payment with a longer loan or lease term. You will no longer need gap insurance when you owe less on your loan than your vehicle’s market value. 

It is possible to get car insurance without a license. However, it may be a complicated process because most insurance companies require proof of a valid driver’s license to purchase a policy.  

The most common reasons someone might need to get car insurance without a driver’s license of their own is if they are insuring a car they cannot drive themselves due to age or disability or they need to get insurance for a minor who can’t legally enter into an agreement themselves.  

If you need to get car insurance without a license, it’s best to compare rates from multiple companies to find the most affordable policy for your situation, since insurance companies typically consider license-less clients more high-risk and charge a more expensive premium.  

The answer to this question depends on where you live and what you would like to cover.  

Each state has its own minimum requirements on the type and amount of insurance needed to insure a car. When you’re trying to determine what and how much car insurance you need, you can start by reviewing your state’s requirements.

Find out what’s required in your state 

Once you review your state’s minimum requirements, you may find that you want additional coverage. For example, sometimes owners of new cars want comprehensive coverage to insure their car from natural disasters and vandalism, even though comprehensive coverage isn’t required by their state. To figure out what insurance you want, you can review the different types of insurance to decide what makes the most sense for your situation.  

Learn about the different types of car insurance 

If you’re unhappy with your current auto insurance policy, you can follow these five steps to cancel your car insurance. First, review your current provider’s cancellation policy. Next, talk to your agent and request a cancellation form. Then, fill out and submit the necessary documents. Don’t forget to receive proof of cancellation. Lastly, shop around to find a new car insurance provider that meets your needs and budget so you avoid a lapse in coverage. 

Read more about how to cancel your car insurance

There are many ways you can try to get cheaper car insurance. The first is simply to get quotes from multiple providers. This will help you determine if you’re currently receiving the best rate possible based on your needs and qualifications. 

If you get quotes that are a lot less than what you currently pay, you can either ask your current provider if they can match the price or switch your car insurance to the cheaper provider. Switching is usually an easy process.  

Sometimes, the reason your car insurance is so expensive is due to your driver profile. For example, drivers under 20 years old usually pay more for insurance than more experienced drivers, and drivers with a recent at-fault accident or traffic violation typically pay more.  

There are ways to lower the cost of your insurance such as taking a defensive driving course. Check with your provider to see if there are any discounts you qualify for or can reasonably earn. 

Read more about getting cheap car insurance 

Contrary to what you might believe, you can switch your car insurance at any time, regardless of whether you are in the middle of your current policy. To switch your car insurance, here are some tips you might want to consider: 

1. Decide what coverage you want with your next policy 
2. Check if your current provider charges cancellation penalties or fees 
3. Compare car insurance quotes from 3-5 insurance companies to find the best price for the coverage you want  
4. Research your new company and choose and purchase your policy  
5. Cancel your current policy once your new one starts to avoid a lapse in coverage 

Read more about how to switch your car insurance 

Car insurance companies determine how much they charge you based on a number of factors that make up your driver profile. Factors that can impact your quoted rates include: 

• Demographics – including your age, home ownership, credit score, and more 
• Your driving history – including how long you’ve been driving, traffic violations, and more 
• Your car – including make, model, and year 
• Where you live – including state and zip code 
• How much coverage you want 

Read more about the factors that impact your car insurance rate 

Getting car insurance is easy. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the amount you pay will be determined by the amount and type of coverage you want and your personal driver profile.

When purchasing car insurance, consider these three simple steps: 

• First, consider your coverage needs. Your state determines the lowest level of insurance you need by law, but you may want to insure your car with more coverage than the minimum required by law. Learn more about the types of insurance, so you can learn what coverage you need.
• Once you know what coverage you need, start researching insurance providers and compare rates. Keep in mind that all insurance companies determine their rates differently, so the only way to find the best rate for you is to compare quotes from 3-5 companies. Most car insurance companies offer free quotes online, or you can call to get more information, such as what kinds of discounts are available to you. 
• Once you choose an auto insurance company that offers the coverage you need at the best price, purchase your new policy with the company. If you have a current policy with another company, be sure to cancel that one after your new policy is instated to avoid a lapse in coverage.