Auto insurance is mandatory, and one must buy or renew policies with every vehicle they acquire. The premiums and coverage vary between states, so you must compare and purchase policies accordingly. First-time buyers tend to make some common mistakes and end up with insufficient insurance coverage. Vehicle owners need to ensure their auto insurance provides adequate protection. Here are six such mistakes to be wary of while buying auto insurance.

Failing to research
Don’t buy insurance only based on the cheapest quotes you can find online. Not all policies will be beneficial as they will have varying coverage and limits. Use tools available for comparing the top insurance quotes for auto insurance. For example, Gabi is a dedicated platform recently acquired by Experian, one of the three premier credit rating agencies. The service locates the best policies online based on your coverage needs and allows you to switch to the new coverage hassle-free directly from their platform. You save time, money, and effort while getting better coverage. The Zebra is an alternative platform that provides similar third-party services for comparing best quotes.

Paying only the minimum coverage
All states mandate a minimum policy to be taken by drivers who own a vehicle. But you can opt for higher insurance coverage depending on your daily driving needs and the availability of resources. Many qualifying criteria may result in claim rejections due to insufficient coverage. While it is necessary to meet the mandate, it is equally important to pay for a decent policy to consider all possible liabilities for the claim. Paying for sufficient coverage may increase your monthly premiums but save you from shelling out hefty out-of-pocket expenses arising from unforeseen liabilities. At the same time, avoid taking excess coverage as you need to consider your needs and ask for custom quotes to arrive at the right premium price.

Not asking for discounts
You don’t have to pay the total premium quoted by the insurance company. Many qualifying criteria are eligible for discounts while applying for a new policy. For example, insurers will consider factors like vehicle usage, the number of current policies, automobile safety features, special driving permits, and even recording vehicle stats that the company can track. The more additional terms you agree to, the cheaper your quotes will be for auto insurance. Also, hire an expert to appraise the vehicle and compare the terms of multiple policies to narrow down companies that offer the most competitive rates.

Not making proper disclosure
Simply buying car insurance is not enough. You must also disclose details of the drivers who will be handling the automobile. In case of accidents, the insurer will conduct inspections to verify the extent of the claim. If an undisclosed driver was behind the wheel at the time of the accident, it could trigger a hefty premium hike for non-disclosure. In some cases, insurance companies might even cancel your coverage for not complying with the disclosure policy.

Not changing insurance providers
It is not necessary to continue with the same insurance provider every year. In some instances, when you switch vehicles, your existing policy might not cover costs for a different category of automobiles. Also, insurance rates are highly competitive of late, so businesses will often outbid each other to quote the cheapest rates and attract new customers. Now would be the perfect opportunity for you to save some extra dollars by switching providers.

Forgetting to update major details
Insurance policies can lapse easily if the company finds out you have failed to update the policy after any major life-changing event. For example, marriage, divorce, relocation, or even adding a teenage driver to the policy will automatically trigger changes in the premiums and coverages. Newlyweds can add their spouse to lower the amount of premium. Teen drivers can benefit from student discounts if they meet the qualifying criteria. Similarly, relocating will trigger a change according to the mandate, especially if you move to a new state. All these changes must be updated with the insurance company.