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?
Right now, it doesn't. There is no advertising on the site, no affiliate links in our reviews, and nobody pays us for a quiz submission. We plan to earn a fee by introducing readers who want a quote to licensed insurance partners, and before that starts we will say so on the quiz form and on our How We Make Money page. Using the site and its tools will never cost you anything.
Do you sell my personal information?
No. We do not sell or share your personal information, and we run no advertising or analytics cookies that would. If you complete the matching tool, your answers are stored by Critic Farm and read by our team so we can follow up — they are not passed to carriers or partners. If that ever changes we will tell you on the form before you submit. See our Privacy Policy and Your Privacy Choices page.
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.