There are a lot of things which should concern a first time insurance shopped, but one thing that probably confuses the most is the task of deciding which gay friendly auto insurance company to buy a policy from. Many people make their decision based on things which may or may not matter, such as low rates, proximity, or recommendations from friends, but which shouldn’t be the whole base of the decision anyway. As you go into your search, here are a few strategies for finding the best gay friendly auto insurance company for you.

• Who’s complaining?

Check the website for your state Department of Insurance. On there you will find an area where you can see the number of complaints insurance companies in your states have had filed against them. Even larger companies with a high profile may fall into interesting territory here, so it’s important to check even if they have expensive commercials on every channel and an agent on every corner. Compare complaint ratios to get a good look at how well each company you’re considering handles claims.

• Asking around.

Asking for recommendations isn’t all bad, either. Friends and family members can give you insight when explaining their personal dealings with a gay friendly auto insurance company. You can get the best point of view, though, from body shops, where the mechanics encounter insurance companies and policy holders on a daily basis. Ask who they recommend.