Updated October 12, 2026
The fastest way to an accurate quote is to have the right details ready. Insurance companies price from facts — about the driver, the property, the business — and every missing detail means either a follow-up call or an estimate that changes later. Use the checklist for what you want to insure.
For any policy
- Your current policy, if you have one: the declarations page shows your coverages, limits, deductibles and renewal date.
- Your claims history for the last several years: what happened and roughly when.
- The date you need coverage to start.
- What matters most to you — the lowest deductible, the broadest coverage, a specific requirement from a lender or landlord.
Auto insurance
- Driver's license details for everyone who will drive the car
- Each vehicle's year, make, model and VIN
- Where the car is parked overnight
- How the car is used: commuting, pleasure, business
- Any accidents or tickets in recent years
- Your lender or leasing company, if the car is financed
Homeowners insurance
- The property address and the year the home was built
- Construction type, roof age and material, and any recent updates to roof, plumbing, electrical or heating
- Safety features: alarms, sprinklers, storm protection
- Your mortgage lender's details
Condo insurance
- Your unit address and the association's name
- The association's master policy or governing documents — they say what the association insures and what is left to you
- Upgrades you made inside the unit, such as flooring, cabinets or fixtures
- Your mortgage lender's details
Renters insurance
- The address and the type of building
- A rough idea of what your belongings are worth
- Your landlord's requirements, if the lease asks for coverage
Business insurance
- Legal business name, address and years in business
- What the business does, in plain words — the more specific, the better
- Number of employees and payroll, if you need workers' compensation
- Revenue, and the value of buildings, equipment and inventory
- Business vehicles and who drives them
- Contracts or leases that require certain coverages or a certificate of insurance
Don't have everything?
Start anyway. A broker can tell you which details matter most for your situation and help you find the rest. At GMI Brokerage Corp., a licensed agent goes through it with you — personal or business. Contact our Brooklyn or Miami office.
Questions people ask
Why does the insurer need so many details?
Insurance companies price risk from facts. A missing detail usually means the quote is based on an assumption, and the price can change once the real information comes in.
Can I get a quote without my current policy?
Yes. Having it simply makes it easier to compare on the same terms and to time a switch.
Is my information shared with insurance companies?
A broker shares the details the insurance companies need to quote and place your coverage. GMI explains how it handles your information in its Privacy Policy.
Have a question about your own coverage? Our licensed agents will look at it with you.
Talk to an agent