For a car insurance quote, prepare one driver list, a record for each vehicle and your current policy if available. Include the purchase or pickup date, desired coverage start date, renewal date and any lender document deadline.
Make one driver list
- Household members and who drives each vehicle.
- Driver names, dates of birth and license status.
- Tickets, accidents and claims, with dates if known.
- A new driver, changed living arrangement or driver away at school.
Explain uncertainty about who should be listed instead of leaving someone out. Mark approximate dates clearly and ask how to provide sensitive identifiers when requested.
Keep one record for each vehicle
| For each vehicle | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Identification | Year, make, model, trim and VIN, if available. |
| Usual location | Address where it is normally kept, even if different from your mailing address. |
| Ownership | Owned, financed or leased; written lender requirements when applicable. |
| Use | Commuting, personal trips, farm or ranch activity, deliveries and other work use. |
| Mileage | Estimated regular mileage and how you arrived at the estimate. |
| Change and timing | Additional or replacement vehicle, purchase/pickup date and desired coverage start date. |
If you are still shopping and do not have a VIN, provide the year, make and model you know. The VIN helps identify the exact vehicle when you narrow your choice. Our Ford of Madisonville buying guide shows how insurance preparation fits into a local shopping trip.
Describe all regular uses
Estimate a typical week of driving, including commuting and regular trips. Explain seasonal changes or a pattern that varies. Tell us about business errands, deliveries and farm or ranch work even when the same vehicle is also used personally.
TDI’s auto guide identifies vehicle use and where a car is kept as factors insurers consider. If work use is involved, our business vehicle checklist identifies the additional facts to discuss.
Are you adding a vehicle or replacing one?
If you are keeping the current vehicle, explain that you are adding another. For a replacement, identify both vehicles and when you expect to hand over the old one and pick up the new one.
Existing clients can use the add-vehicle request and explain whether it replaces another vehicle. Use the policy change request for other changes, including a driver or address update.
Compare the same coverage
Bring your current declarations page. Keep the drivers, vehicles, limits and deductibles consistent when comparing quotes, and flag each difference.
- Liability limits: review how much protection is proposed for injuries and property damage to others.
- Collision and comprehensive: check whether each is included and which deductible applies.
- Other options: discuss uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection and rental reimbursement.
- Lender requirements: compare requested coverage and deductibles with the proposal.
Our auto insurance page explains the coverage options. A lower price may reflect a different limit or deductible, so compare the details alongside the total.
Confirm the dates and documents
Keep the desired start date separate from the confirmed effective date. For a close purchase or document deadline, call (936) 348-2688 during office hours and explain what is needed.
After issuance or a confirmed change, check the names, vehicles and effective dates in the documents. If you need current proof of insurance, use the auto ID card request. A website request does not bind, change, cancel, reinstate, or confirm coverage.