How To Get Car Insurance

At The Hartford, we make insurance simple. In just minutes, you can get a personalized car insurance quote online or over the phone with customizable coverage options to help protect you, your car and your passengers.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
LinkedIn Profile
Updated: 06/10/2025
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Thinking of switching? AARP members can pay as little as $78 a month for car insurance with The Hartford.***
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Key Takeaways

  • If you’re wondering how to buy car insurance as quickly and easily as possible, The Hartford can help. Whether you prefer to shop online or call a representative, we’re here to make sure you have the protection you need to drive with confidence.
  • If you’re wondering how to get insurance on a new car or just shopping around, The Hartford’s representatives are happy to answer any questions you have and help you get the right coverage.
  • The Hartford has outlined the seven steps to get a quote, plus what information you’ll need to get your personal AARP member price.

How To Choose Car Insurance

Figuring out how to get auto insurance coverage with the right provider starts with understanding your options. As you shop, it can be helpful to get a few insurance quotes before you choose an auto insurance policy and carrier.
 
For 41 years, The Hartford has been helping AARP members get quick and easy auto insurance quotes that offer savings and customizable coverage options. We help explain how car insurance works and are focused on providing policies that help you feel prepared and protected. 
 
You can get a quote online for AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford1 in minutes. Or, if you prefer to speak to a representative, The Hartford is available at 888-546-9099.

7 Steps To Get Car Insurance Today

So, how do you buy car insurance as efficiently as possible? Start by following these seven steps:
 
  1. Decide whether to get a car insurance quote online or over the phone. There are pros and cons to each, and you can always change your mind during the process.
  2. Research coverage options to get a better understanding of what they do and don’t protect.
  3. Determine how much car insurance coverage you need to ensure peace of mind while on the road.
  4. Gather details about the vehicles and drivers you’ll want on your policy, as well as any information about your current coverages.
  5. Compare quotes from different insurance companies to make sure you are happy with the price and protection.
  6. Choose the insurance policy and carrier that can best meet your needs.
  7. Complete your policy purchase.
These simple steps can help you figure out how to get car insurance for your car so you can feel confident before hitting the road.
Have questions about how to switch car insurance carriers as seamlessly as possible? Want to make sure you have the same coverage or don’t miss a day of being covered? We can help. Call The Hartford at 888-546-9099.
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What Do You Need To Get Car Insurance Quotes?

To make the quoting process as smooth as possible, you’ll want to have some basic information handy, such as:
  • Basic personal details like your name, address and date of birth.
  • Vehicle information, like mileage and ownership status.*
  • Details about any additional drivers you’ll want on your policy. You’ll want to mention if certain members of your household should be excluded drivers on your policy. But keep in mind, if they drive your vehicle, your insurance won’t cover them, even if they are licensed drivers.
  • Information about your current auto insurance policy.
 

1. Get Car Insurance Online

To buy car insurance online, you’ll need to first enter your zip code. From there, you’ll be asked a series of quick questions to help determine coverage options that are best for you.
Online car insurance quotes allow you to:
 
  • Easily compare different car insurance quotes.
  • Buy insurance at any time of the day.
  • Save on car insurance. At The Hartford, you can save up to 8% just for getting your quote online.

2. Get Car Insurance Over the Phone

Many shoppers prefer to talk to the insurance company directly. At The Hartford, we can help:
 
  • Guide you through the quoting process in real-time.
  • Pick the coverages that best fit your evolving needs.
  • Explain all the discounts and coverage options available to you.

Get a Car Insurance Quote From The Hartford

As the official provider of AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford, we understand the unique needs of experienced drivers. Because we offer the only national auto insurance program endorsed by AARP, you can take advantage of exclusive benefits and savings designed to help you get the protection you need at an affordable price. For example, you can save up to 10% just for being an AARP member.†
 
Wondering about more ways you could save? Reduce your car insurance rate with The Hartford by:
 
  • Bundling your home and auto insurance policies to save over $800 with AARP Auto and Home Insurance from The Hartford.**
  • Signing up for The Hartford’s TrueLane Program, a usage-based smartphone app that recognizes and rewards safe driving. You’ll save up to 15% when you sign up within 60 days of your first policy. Plus, you can earn a renewal discount of up to 40%, depending on your safe driving habits.^
  • Completing approved driving courses, like a defensive driver course. These courses can grant you a discount of up to 5% on your car insurance for the next three years.
These additional benefits are included with AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford:
 
  • RecoverCare§: We’ll help pay for home services, like house cleaning, if you’re injured in a covered accident and can’t do them yourself.
  • New Car Replacement§§: If you total your new car, we’ll replace it with a new one of the same make, model and equipment, with no deduction for depreciation.
  • Accident Forgiveness: As long as all drivers on your car insurance policy with The Hartford have a clean driving record and are accident-free for five straight years, you can qualify for accident forgiveness.‡
  • Disappearing Deductible: With disappearing deductible, your collision deductible will decrease over time as long as you maintain a clean driving record.‡

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Get Car Insurance

Most companies won’t offer you car insurance with no license. You’ll need to visit your state’s department of motor vehicles and become a licensed driver before you can get car insurance.
If you drive a car often but don’t own it, some companies offer non-owners car insurance coverage. This helps cover you if you’re in an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle.
At The Hartford, you can get an affordable auto insurance quote in minutes and quickly purchase your policy after confirming your coverages. Keep in mind that the amount of time it takes will depend on things like how many benefits or discounts you add or questions you have.
It’s easy to get car insurance before buying a car. You’ll just want to notify your insurance company ahead of time and include information about the car you need to add to your policy, as well as the purchase date to make sure you don’t drive without coverage. In most cases, the dealership will require you to have active insurance before driving off the lot.

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*** Based on Maine Auto policyholders 1 vehicle and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and vehicle(s)/driver(s) characteristics.
 
^ Not available in all states, terms and conditions apply.
** Average savings amounts based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford from other carriers between 9/1/22 and 8/31/23. Your savings may vary. Average auto insurance savings is $577 and average home insurance savings is $236. Rate differences for AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure. Auto/Home discount is available only to policyholders who have both their auto and home (or condo or renters) insurance through the AARP Auto & Home Insurance program from The Hartford. The Hartford does not write new business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL.
 
§ Availability of RecoverCare benefit and benefit levels vary by state. The Hartford RecoverCare Advantage® is a registered mark of The Hartford.
 
§§ Terms and conditions apply.
 
‡ Terms and conditions apply. Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible are not available to CA policyholders.
 
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply. Availability varies by state.
 
‡‡‡ Based on one car and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and characteristics of vehicle(s)/driver(s).
 
Additional disclosures below.
AARP® Auto Insurance
Quick Links
FAQs
For AARP® Members
Additional Resources
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. Home product is not available in all areas, including the state of FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.