How to use the quote comparison worksheet
First decide your target coverage: the limits, optional coverages and deductibles you want. Ask every insurer to quote exactly that. Then enter each quote’s premium, whether it covers 6 or 12 months, any yearly fees and the deductible. Mark “yes” only if the quote matches your target in every way.
The worksheet converts each quote to a yearly cost, picks the cheapest and shows the spread between the highest and lowest.
A second worked example
What the result means
| Result | What it tells you | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest quote | Lowest yearly cost among the quotes entered | Confirm it matches your coverage |
| Spread | How much you could save by choosing the cheapest | A small spread means other factors may matter more |
| Mismatch warning | At least one quote is not like-for-like | Re-quote or set it aside |
| Different deductibles | Prices may differ because of the deductible | Use our deductible calculator |
State rules that change the answer
- Minimum limits. Every quote must meet your state’s minimums. Check yours with our state minimum lookup.
- Rating rules. States set rules on what insurers may use to price policies, such as credit-based insurance scores, which some states limit. Our how car insurance rates are calculated guide explains the factors.
- Licensing and complaints. State insurance departments let you check that an insurer and agent are licensed, and many publish complaint information.
- Required coverages such as PIP or uninsured motorist coverage vary by state, so a quote from another state’s rules will not compare.
Common mistakes
- Comparing a 6-month price with a 12-month price. Always convert to a yearly cost.
- Ignoring fees. Installment and policy fees can close the gap between quotes.
- Accepting different limits. Lower limits make a quote cheaper, not better.
- Forgetting discounts. Ask each insurer which discounts are included; our insurance discounts guide lists common ones.
- Stopping at price. Read the coverage page of each quote, as our how to compare insurance quotes guide explains.
When should you compare quotes?
Common times are before a renewal, after a move, after buying a car or home, after adding a driver, and when your record changes, such as a violation dropping off. Note your renewal date and start comparing a few weeks before it, so you have time to switch without a gap in coverage.
How the calculation works in plain words
For each quote, the worksheet first finds a full year’s premium. A 12-month premium stays as it is, and a 6-month premium is doubled. It then adds the yearly fees you entered to get the yearly cost. Quote C is skipped if you leave its premium at 0.
Next it finds the lowest yearly cost and names that quote as the cheapest. It subtracts the lowest yearly cost from the highest to show the spread, which is how much you could save by choosing the cheapest quote over the most expensive one. Finally, it lists every quote you marked as not matching your target coverage, and switches to a warning if there are any.
How to set a target coverage before you shop
A target coverage is a short list you give every insurer. Writing it down first is what makes quotes comparable:
- Liability limits, such as 100/300/100, for injuries per person, injuries per accident and property damage.
- Required coverages for your state, such as PIP or uninsured motorist coverage.
- Optional coverages, such as collision, comprehensive, rental reimbursement and roadside help.
- Deductibles for collision and comprehensive, or for your home policy.
- Drivers and vehicles, or for home insurance the dwelling limit and personal property limit.
Read each quote’s coverage page and tick off every item on your list. If anything is different, mark that quote no and ask for a corrected quote.
Where to find your numbers
The premium and term are at the top of each quote, often labelled “policy premium” or “total premium” with the policy period. Fees can appear in small print or only at checkout, so ask each insurer to list every fee for a full year, including installment fees if you plan to pay monthly. Deductibles and limits are on the coverage summary of the quote. If a quote only shows a monthly payment, ask for the full-term premium instead, because monthly amounts can include fees that are easy to miss. Save each quote as a PDF so you can check the details later.
