Frequently asked questions.
About Critic Farm
Is Critic Farm an insurance company?
No. Critic Farm is an independent publisher of insurance research, tools, and reviews. We are not licensed to sell insurance in any state, and nothing on this site is an offer to sell a policy.
How does Critic Farm make money if it's free to use?
Our matching tool connects interested visitors with licensed insurance carriers, agents, brokers, or affiliate partners, some of whom compensate us for the introduction. Using the site and its tools never costs you anything. Details are in our Advertiser & Data Disclosure.
Do you sell my personal information?
If you complete our matching tool and choose to continue, we share your information with the carriers or partners best suited to your profile so they can offer you a quote — that's the point of the tool, and it's disclosed upfront. We don't sell data collected from simply browsing the site or using the free calculators. See our Privacy Policy and CCPA page for the full breakdown, including how to opt out.
How often is the state and rate data updated?
State minimum coverage requirements are reviewed on an ongoing basis, since a handful of states change their laws most years. Rate ranges are estimates meant to set general expectations, not live quotes, so we treat them as directional rather than something that needs daily updates.
Car insurance basics
What happens if I drive without insurance?
Penalties vary by state but commonly include fines, license or registration suspension, and in many at-fault states, being personally responsible for any damage or injury you cause. Some states also require an SR-22 filing before you can reinstate driving privileges.
Will my rate go up if I just get a quote?
No. Requesting a quote is a soft inquiry and does not affect your insurance rate or credit. Your rate only changes if you actually purchase a new policy or your existing insurer re-rates your policy at renewal.
How much can I actually save by shopping around?
It varies a lot by driver, but because insurers weigh the same rating factors differently, it's common for the same driver to see a meaningfully different price between carriers. Re-shopping every year or two, even with a clean record, is one of the more reliable ways to catch this.
Does a single speeding ticket really change my premium that much?
It depends on the state, the insurer, and your prior record, but a single minor violation is generally a smaller and shorter-lived rate impact than an at-fault accident or a DUI. Most minor violations affect pricing for three to five years before dropping off.