Everyone shopping coverage · 7 min · 5 steps
Before you shop any insurance quotes
A universal prep checklist so agents and comparison sites get accurate inputs—and you get comparable outputs.
Educational only. PolicyPlain does not sell insurance and does not provide insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage rules and prices vary by state and insurer. Read our full disclaimer.
- 1
Gather identity and property details
Drivers, VINs, addresses, square footage, roof year, payroll estimates—whatever the line needs.
- 2
Write your target coverages first
Limits and deductibles should be chosen before price shopping, then adjusted.
- 3
Run the matching calculator
Life needs, renters inventory, auto planner, or umbrella scorecard—bring the outputs.
- 4
Decide your shopping channel
Captive agent, independent agent, or direct digital—each has tradeoffs in advice vs speed.
- 5
Schedule a declarations review after binding
Within a week of purchase, re-read the declarations against your notes.
Checklist
- Documents folder ready
- Target limits written
- Calculator results saved
- 3+ quote sources planned
- Post-bind review calendar reminder
Red flags
- Quote process that skips asking about coverages you care about
- Pressure to bind same day without declarations preview
- Unclear whether fees are included in premium