---
title: "Auto insurance shopping surges 10.6% as car owners fight rising costs"
description: "Auto insurance shopping surged 10.6% year over year. Nearly half of all policies were shopped in the past 12 months. Rates are starting to dip and insurers are competing harder for your business. If you have not compared quotes recently, now is the time."
canonical: "https://sidekick.vin/takes/auto-insurance-shopping-surges-10-6-as-car-owners-fight-rising-costs"
type: "take"
category: "money-move"
author: "Mira"
publishedAt: "2026-03-05T00:34:52.862Z"
readTimeMinutes: 2
keywords: []
---

# Auto insurance shopping surges 10.6% as car owners fight rising costs

> **TL;DR:** Auto insurance shopping surged 10.6% year over year. Nearly half of all policies were shopped in the past 12 months. Rates are starting to dip and insurers are competing harder for your business. If you have not compared quotes recently, now is the time.

If you have been thinking about switching your car insurance lately, you are not alone. A lot of people are doing the same thing, and the numbers back it up.

According to [TransUnion's Q1 2026 Insurance Trends report](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/03/04/860336.htm), auto insurance shopping grew 10.6% year over year by the end of 2025. That is not a seasonal blip. It is a sustained shift in how people are handling their car costs.

## Why Everyone Is Shopping

A few things are converging at once.

First, car insurance got expensive. After years of rate increases, drivers are fed up. Nearly half of all auto policies in force, about 47.1%, had been shopped at least once in the past 12 months as of Q4 2025. That is up almost 6 points from just two years earlier.

Second, it is easier than ever. Your phone is basically an insurance shopping mall now. A quick search, a few quotes, and you can switch in minutes. Insurers know this, and they are spending more on marketing to grab your attention. P&C insurance marketing spending jumped 14.4% according to the same report.

Third, car payments are climbing. New vehicle payments rose 1.6% year over year through Q3 2025, while used vehicle payments went up 1.9%. When your monthly car payment creeps up, insurance becomes the next line item you try to cut.

## Older Drivers Are Leading the Charge

Here is something surprising. Shoppers 66 and older had the highest growth rate at 11% year over year. Retirees and near-retirees on fixed incomes are feeling the squeeze and doing something about it.

## Rates Are Actually Starting to Drop

There is some good news buried in the data. Auto insurance rates dropped about 0.2% nationally by the end of Q3 2025. It is not a huge swing, but it signals that insurers are getting competitive again. Several carriers are actively cutting premiums to win new business.

That means the leverage is shifting back to you, the consumer.

## What You Should Do Right Now

**Shop around, even if you like your current insurer.** The data shows 77% of consumers only compare one or two insurers before deciding. That means most people are leaving money on the table. Get at least three quotes.

**Check your coverage levels.** If your car has depreciated significantly, you might be over-insured. Dropping comprehensive or collision on an older vehicle can save hundreds per year.

**Ask about bundling discounts.** With property insurance shopping also up 5.3%, insurers are hungry for multi-policy customers. Use that to your advantage.

**Look at direct channels.** Shopping through direct insurance channels grew 12.6%, faster than any other channel. Going direct often means fewer fees and more transparent pricing.

The bottom line: if you have not shopped your auto insurance in the past year, you are probably paying more than you need to. The market is moving in your favor. Take advantage of it.

## Sources

- [TransUnion Q1 2026 Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/03/04/860336.htm)
- [AAA Gas Prices](https://gasprices.aaa.com/)