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Shopping for car insurance is time-consuming. You know you need to shop around to make sure you're getting the best deal, but requesting multiple quotes from different insurance companies can be tedious, and it's hard to do an accurate side-by-side comparison.
That's where insurance marketplaces and comparison sites come in. While they aren't insurance companies themselves, insurance marketplaces can make comparing multiple insurance companies a faster and easier process.
SmarterAuto is one such insurance comparison marketplace. It helps users match with car insurance companies based on their specific information.
It's easy to use, but by entering your information on SmarterAuto's site, you also authorize several websites and insurance companies to contact you via mail, email, and phone.
How we rate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
SmarterAuto pros and cons
- It is easy and relatively quick to use.
- SmarterAuto may allow you to compare quotes across multiple companies.
- By requesting a quote, you agree to be contacted by SmarterAuto partners and insurance companies via phone, email, or mail.
- It redirects you to other insurance marketplaces instead of providing quotes directly.
How much does SmarterAuto cost?
SmarterAuto is free to use. It earns money if you complete a purchase through one of its links, but otherwise, it doesn't try to sell you anything.
SmarterAuto doesn't sell insurance directly. Instead, it gathers data from multiple insurance companies in one place. You may see a wide range of pricing, depending on your location, driving history, and the specific insurance companies offered by SmarterAuto.
Additionally, you'll likely see different pricing based on individual driving factors. Many insurance companies use your driving history, age, gender, marital status, the type of car you drive, and where you live, among other factors, to determine how much you pay for car insurance.
There can be a big difference in monthly insurance premiums, depending on your driving record, how old you are, and if you have any speeding tickets or DUIs on your record.
| Driver type | National average liability-only monthly premium | National average full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $105 | $192 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $141 | $265 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $146 | $274 |
| DUI on driving record | $166 | $313 |
| Teen driver | $194 | $364 |
| Senior driver | $85 | $160 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
How SmarterAuto works
SmarterAuto is an auto insurance comparison tool that helps consumers find the best rates from multiple insurance companies. It states that it partners with over 150 companies to help customers find the best car insurance. It lists numerous famous insurance company names and logos as partners, including Allstate, Liberty Mutual, USAA, and others.
I'm always looking for a good deal on car insurance, so I was game to give SmarterAuto a chance. The SmarterAuto quote website is straightforward, and I started the process using my Apple laptop. I also tested the site on a Windows desktop and Android phone to check for any differences.
On both my laptop and desktop, SmarterAuto asked for the typical information that most single insurance companies or comparison sites ask for, including:
- Zip code
- Vehicle age, make, and model
- If I had a second vehicle to add to the policy
- If I own or rent my home
- Whether I own, lease, or financed my car
- If there were other drivers to add to the policy
- A brief overview of my driving history
- The primary use of the vehicle (commuting, pleasure, business, etc.)
- The type of coverage needed
- A rough estimation of my credit score
- The insurance company I currently use
- If I wanted to bundle home and auto insurance
- When I wanted the policy to start
- Personal details like gender, age, marital status, full name, and birthdate
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The questions asked by SmarterAuto were relatively in-depth, but it didn't ask for as much information as some sites I've used. For example, insurance marketplace The Zebra also asks about your education and how long you've had your license, among other questions.
I entered information for my Toyota Rav4. With the quote through my laptop, SmarterAuto redirected me to Insurify.
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For the quote through my desktop where I used a friend's information from another state, SmarterAuto directed me to Smart Financial, another insurance marketplace.
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On my third try, SmarterAuto directed me to Progressive, an actual insurance company, but that was the only option, regardless of the details I tried.
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As I researched the site, I found that SmarterAuto doesn't display pricing. Instead, it sends customer information to various insurance companies or other marketplaces. Then the insurance companies or marketplaces reach out to the customer to complete the quote process. By using SmarterAuto, you agree to be contacted by these companies.
In some cases, you may need to re-enter some of the information provided to SmarterAuto directly on the insurance carriers' website. For example, when I clicked to receive the Progressive quote through Smart Financial, I had to verify most of my information and add additional information, so SmarterAuto didn't really save me a lot of time.
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SmarterAuto vs. competitors
When it comes to price, comparing SmarterAuto to other insurance marketplace-based sites doesn't provide the whole picture since so many factors contribute to insurance premiums.
However, the best marketplace sites, such as Insurify and The Zebra, help customers learn about ways to save money on car insurance while also providing price quotes. SmarterAuto can help you start the quote process, but it doesn't seem to have the tools to help you effectively compare insurance companies and policies.
SmarterAuto vs. Insurify
Insurify is my go-to insurance marketplace. It partners with more than 120 companies to help customers find the best insurance products for home, renters, travel, and pet insurance. In general, if you buy two or more insurance policies through the same company, you may receive a bundling discount, which can help you save more. SmarterAuto only offers car insurance comparisons, though it does ask about bundling opportunities with a home or renters policy.
Insurify allows you to compare quotes online manually or speak with a live agent. You can also ask Insurify agents to review your current insurance policy and see if another company might be a better fit.
Comparatively, SmarterAuto lacks most of these features. While you can enter your information, you'll ultimately be redirected to another marketplace site like Insurify to review a quote and compare prices from an insurance company.
Insurify also has relatively high customer ratings on Trustpilot and the BBB, whereas SmarterAuto doesn't have any rankings with either site.
Read more in our Insurify review
Average rate:
SmarterAuto vs. The Zebra
The Zebra is another insurance comparison site that I like. It offers quotes on home, renters, auto, and pet insurance. The Zebra also compares life insurance and motorcycle coverage in addition to car insurance, which neither Insurify nor SmarterAuto does.
I also like The Zebra because it allows you to view the details of each quote without having to leave the site. You can see the highlights of each insurance company, including customer service, policy options, and roadside assistance availability. The Zebra also highlights any special features an insurance company offers, such as SR-22 forms, which your state or a court of law may require after a serious offense like a DUI.
Read more in our review of The Zebra
FAQ
How do I contact SmarterAuto?
SmarterAuto only has one way to contact them: call 833-713-5914 to speak with an agent. There are no options to chat online or contact the site via email.
Bottom line
As you search for new car insurance, be sure to review multiple carriers to help you find the best price, either with each company or through a marketplace. Pay attention to the coverage limits and types offered, and read customer reviews to help you understand how a company resolves issues.
Disclosure: SmarterAuto and FinanceBuzz are both owned by Launch Potato.
Average rate:
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