It used to be that if you were going to get an insurance quote you had to make an appointment with the insurance agent and have a sit-down to discuss particulars of the type of insurance and the plans you wanted. Then it became possible to get a quote over the phone. Now there are several ways to get a quote, and each is faster and easier than the next.

Quote by Online Application

Online applications are now the most popular way of acquiring insurance quotes. You can apply for insurance and get a quote at any time of the day or night. Some companies have you follow up with them during the day to make sure you fully comprehend the plan you bought online, but you rarely have any contact after that.

Quote by Video Call

When you still want a face-to-face quote, you can use technology like Skype to talk to an insurance agent or broker. It saves you a trip into the office, and you can conduct the whole "meeting" from your home and in your pajamas. This way of getting a quote does limit when you can speak to someone, unless the insurance company outsources their video calls to other countries in off-hours.

Quote by Text

A few insurance companies do offer instant quotes by text. You have to text them some basic info, such as name, license number and the year, make and model of your vehicle. You may also have to text them your age/year of birth. The quote is based on these stats alone, which is why it is so easy to use and why your most private information is not requested or used.

Quote by Snail Mail

If you want everything in writing before you sign, you can request a quote via snail mail. It does take longer to get a quote, since your request has to be sent to the insurance company, the insurance company has to review your request, and then send a quote with applicable plans back to you. Most people avoid this way because it takes much longer than all others. However, it is one of the safest ways to get an insurance quote because all of your personal information is sealed in an envelope and viewed only by the insurance agent or broker that opens it. People who opt for this method of getting a quote often receive an invitation by mail, which is then filled out and returned to the company.