The First Minute of a Quote Call: A Script That Saves Time
Quote calls go wrong in a predictable way. The caller answers questions one at a time, the important fact comes out twenty minutes in, and the quotes already discussed no longer apply. A one-minute opening fixes that.
The script
"I'd like a quote for two cars and three drivers, starting this Friday at 12:01 a.m. We're currently insured and I have the declarations page, so I'd like to match our current coverage first. Two things to flag: my son was licensed in March, and I had a speeding ticket last year."
Swap in your own details. If you are not insured now, say so plainly; if you need a filing such as an SR-22, or you drive for a delivery or ride-hailing app, put that in the "things to flag" sentence.
Three common variations
- Buying a car today: "I'm buying a [year, make, model] this afternoon from a dealer and need coverage before I drive it away. Here is the VIN."
- Not insured right now: "I don't have a current policy; my last one ended in [month]. I'd like liability at [limits] with uninsured motorist, plus comprehensive and collision."
- Calling for someone else: "I'm calling for my mother, who will be the named insured. She's here with me to confirm the details and sign."
Why each part goes first
| Part of the script | Why the agent needs it immediately |
|---|---|
| Cars and drivers | Decides the shape of the policy and which companies are worth running |
| Start date and time | Same-day needs are handled differently from next-month ones |
| Insured now, or not | Tells the agent whether there is a current policy to match and a gap to avoid |
| Match current coverage | Gives every company the same target, so the prices are comparable |
| Things to flag | Tickets, claims, filings and business use change which companies will write you; your record is the first factor every California insurer must weigh (Insurance Code 1861.02) |
- Your declarations page, open on screen or on paper
- Each driver's date of birth and license number
- Each car's VIN
- Approximate dates of tickets, accidents and claims
- A realistic yearly mileage for each car
While you are on the call
- Say "approximately" when you are estimating. A flagged estimate is better than a confident guess.
- Ask the agent to read back the drivers and cars before pricing.
- If you want to compare a second coverage level, ask for it as a separate version rather than changing the first one.
Five questions before you hang up
- Which companies did you quote, and which declined?
- Are these prices confirmed, or still subject to checks?
- What is the total for the term, and what is due on day one?
- How long will this price hold?
- Can you send all of it in writing today?
What not to do
Do not leave the awkward fact for later in the hope it will not matter. It will be found when the company checks your record, and every quote built without it will change. Do not agree to anything on the call that you have not seen in writing, either; a reputable agent will send it without being pushed. Prefer writing to talking? You can also send the same five facts through our quote form and we will reply with questions only where something is missing.
Where this comes from
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Do I have to give license numbers on the first call?
For a final quote, yes, because the company checks each driver's record. For a rough figure you can wait, but expect the price to firm up only once the numbers are given.
What if I forget to mention something?
Call or email as soon as you remember, before anything is bound. A correction before purchase costs nothing; one discovered afterwards can change the price or the policy.
Can I ask for the quotes by email after the call?
Yes, and you should. A written quote shows the company, coverages, deductibles, term and price, which you need to compare it properly.