J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Auto insurance rates are up 22% in 2024, according to a recent report from the Associated Press. That makes car insurance discounts more important than ever.
But you could save as much as 12% on your insurance with an advance quote discount — also known as an early quote discount. Some auto insurance companies give you this discount if you get a quote and buy your new car insurance policy before your current one expires.
Buying early gives companies ample time to complete administrative work and saves money. In return, insurers pass these savings along to customers. A few companies offering the discount include AAA, Country Financial, and Allstate.
We cover all the details you need to know about getting an advance quote discount — plus other ways to save money on car insurance.
How Much You Can Save With an Advance Quote Discount
The amount you can save with an advance quote discount varies by insurer and state. Car insurance companies usually offer savings of around 11%, according to our research, depending on factors like your location, state laws, and the company’s rules. For example, Allstate offers up to 10% in Indiana, while AAA offers a 12% discounted rate to drivers in California (the highest advertised discount we found).
That said, insurers may limit this discount to new customers only. But you may be able to replace it with a renewal or loyalty discount to avoid premium increases.
It’s a good idea to discuss discounts with your insurance agent to understand how best to leverage them with the company.
How to Get an Advance Quote Discount
To qualify for an advance quote discount, you must quote and buy your new policy before your current one expires. This often means getting a quote and purchasing the new policy seven to 30 days before your renewal date.
But criteria vary between insurers — some may require you to confirm your policy purchase in advance, while others might offer discounts if you start the process early, even if you don’t finalize the policy until closer to your renewal. For example, Progressive offers savings just for getting a quote online, while Allstate requires you to sign the policy.
You can usually get the discount when you get a quote from the insurer’s website or mobile app, or by calling customer service or your agent. Ask your insurer about the specific requirements to confirm your eligibility. You can also ask how to maximize your savings to uncover more ways to lower your policy premiums.
Where to Get an Advance Quote Discount
An advance quote discount is fairly common, but not all insurers offer it. Several large companies, like Allstate and Travelers, offer the discount, but some smaller companies, like COUNTRY Financial and Auto-Owners, do too.
It’s a good idea to check each insurer’s policies to see if the discount is available. And it’s best to shop around, as the amount and eligibility criteria can differ significantly by company and state.
Here are the five companies offering an advance quote discount on auto coverage and how to get the discount.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Eligibility Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
AAA | Request a quote and purchase a policy at least seven days prior to your preferred policy start date |
Allstate | Get a quote and complete your policy at least a week before its effective date |
American Family | Get a quote at least seven days before the new policy start date |
COUNTRY Financial | Get a quote before your current policy ends |
Liberty Mutual | Get a new quote before your current policy expiration |
The Best Advance Quote Discounts Available
Comparing car insurance discounts is essential to finding the best deal for your budget and coverage needs. And the early quote discount is usually one of the easiest discounts to get.
Below are our top picks for the best advance quote discount. We chose these companies based on advertised discount amounts, customer service scores, and other factors most important to prospective customers. Each provides unique advantages and competitive rates to help you get cheap rates for top-rated insurance coverage.
AAA
Average premium: $121 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.28 out of 5
AAA offers the largest discount we found in our research — up to 12%. The insurer offers an early quote discount if you get a quote and buy a policy from AAA at least seven days before your current policy expires.
Plus, as a AAA member, you can enjoy additional discounts on car insurance, travel, and more.
Allstate
Average premium: $101 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.93 out of 5
Allstate offers the second-highest discount we found. The company rewards you with an early signing discount if you secure an auto insurance policy at least seven days before its start date.
While the value of the discount varies from state to state, it’s worth 10% for Indiana drivers, for example. Plus, you can get additional perks like accident forgiveness for your first at-fault accident.
American Family
Average premium: $126 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.98 out of 5
American Family doesn’t specify the value of its early bird discount, but the company has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings among the companies we chose. It offers affordable insurance coverage regardless of age and driving history and receives high customer and claims satisfaction ratings.
Depending on your state, you may qualify for the discount if you have an active policy with another insurer and get a quote from AmFam before your new policy goes into effect.
How to Maximize Your Advance Quote Discount Savings
Maximizing your advance quote discount starts with thorough research. Insurers reward proactive shoppers, and, since some offer better deals than others, putting in some extra time up front to shop around can really pay off.
Here are our top tips for getting a lower premium:
Shop early: Request quotes seven to 10 days before your current policy expires to ensure you get the discount.
Combine discounts: Add other easy-to-get discounts to save even more, such as those for car safety features (e.g., airbags and anti-lock brakes).
Drive safely: Maintaining a clean driving record usually makes you eligible for the best discounts.
Compare options: Gather quotes from several insurers to ensure you find the best deal — the more quotes, the better. Use online comparison tools to identify insurers offering advance quote discounts in your area and compare options side by side.
Re-evaluate your deductibles: Consider raising your deductibles, which typically reduces comprehensive and collision premiums by 15% to 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expense if you file a claim.
Other Common Car Insurance Discounts
In addition to the advance quote discount, several other car insurance discounts can help you save on your premiums. The following discounts are valuable and usually as easy to obtain as getting an early quote.
Paperless: Agreeing to receive and manage your paperwork and billing online earns a typically modest paperless discount with most insurance companies.
Pay in full: Paying your full term’s premium up front, rather than in monthly installments, can result in savings of up to 10%.
Online quote: Some insurers, like Progressive, offer a discount just for getting a quote online, even if you finalize the purchase over the phone.
Multi-policy: Bundling your auto insurance with other insurance products, such as home insurance or life insurance, can lead to up to 25% savings.
Don’t forget about discounts specific to your needs, like the good student discount (available to high school and college students maintaining a high GPA) or good driver discount (available to people without recent car accidents or tickets). Choosing a higher deductible will also lower your premiums.
Advance Quote Discount FAQs
Below are answers to common questions about advance quote discounts and how to maximize savings when insuring your vehicle.
An early quote discount or advanced quote discount is a savings incentive insurers offer to customers who obtain a quote and purchase an auto policy several days before their current one expires. It’s especially useful for young drivers who have less access to discounts.
An advance payment discount rewards you for paying your auto insurance premiums up front, usually in full, before the policy’s start date. This reduces administrative costs for insurers, which companies pass on as savings.
The maximum advance quote discount varies by insurer, but the highest discount we found is 12% with AAA. You can uncover your maximum advance quote discount by gathering quotes from insurers that offer it.
To qualify, you must request a quote early, typically at least seven to 10 days before your current policy ends. But check insurer information online or over the phone with your insurer to determine exact eligibility rules.
Sources:
Associated Press, “Surging auto insurance rates squeeze drivers, fuel inflation,” accessed November 22, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs,” accessed November 22, 2024.
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Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.