An insurer who asks a lot of questions isn't being nosy. Because the premium you pay for auto insurance depends on many factors, an insurer must gather a lot of information in order to generate an accurate quote. Factors that may affect your premium include your age and gender, the make and model of your vehicle, where you live, the types and amounts of coverage you need, and your driving record.

Here is some of the information you may be asked to supply when you're shopping around for auto insurance:

• The types and amounts of coverage you want
• Your vehicle's identification number (VIN)
• The name of your current insurer (if any)
• The primary location of your vehicle
• The dates of birth of all drivers in your household
• Your marital status
• How your vehicle is primarily used (e.g., to drive to and from work, for business purposes)
• An estimate of the number of miles you drive annually
• Your vehicle's safety features (e.g., air bags, anti-theft devices)
• Information about your driving record (e.g., the number of moving violations or accidents you've had in the last several years)

Some of this information can be found on your current insurance policy (if any) so it's a good idea to have your policy's Declarations Page or your renewal notice on hand when requesting a quote. And remember, a quote is just an estimate of your future premium. You'll still need to fill out an application for insurance before your actual premium is determined.