Comparison shopping can save you money

Car insurance is expensive, particularly if you are under the age of 25. In many cases, monthly premiums can actually exceed monthly car payments! No one wants to write bigger checks for their insurance than they do for their car, so obtaining the lowest possible car insurance rates is a necessity for nearly all auto owners. 

The key to coming up with the best price on your car insurance, just as it is for any commodity, is to shop around. The time you spend comparing prices from one insurance company to another will be well spent in the end if it saves you money.

A number of different factors go into making up the price of your car insurance policy, and how each company treats those factors can vary slightly affecting the rate. Here are some things you should consider when shopping for car insurance..

• Get some competitive quotes. You should take the time to talk to at least three different companies to get quotes for your vehicle. You might also consider talking to Progressive; they can tell you how their rates compare to those of other companies. The more companies you talk to, the larger the number of choices you will have and the greater your chances of obtaining a rate that you can afford.
• Some companies provide greater discounts than others for cars that are not driven a lot. If you have a vehicle that is only driven a few miles per month, you should emphasize this when asking for quote. Most companies adjust their rates based upon mileage, but the cutoff points for the discounts may vary from company to company.
• Some companies offer discounts for certain features, such as air bags or antilock braking systems. If you have such things installed on you car, be sure to ask about discounts when shopping for prices.
• You might be better off getting a different car, if possible. Some makes and models of cars are expensive to cover, due to high repair costs or high theft risk. Either one could cost you more money than necessary. Buying a similar car to a high risk model that is not a theft risk or not a repair problem could save you money. Ask about this when talking to an agent.
• Ask if, do the the age or mileage of your vehicle, it would make sense to cover the vehicle for liability only, rather than for full comprehensive or collision coverage. This often varies based upon the make and model of the vehicle itself.

There are a lot of factors that go into determining how to price coverage for a car or truck. Some of these factors are things that you can control, and others are not. The more information you have, the better informed your decision will be. It will certainly help to talk to as many agents as possible before settling on a policy. A little patience will be rewarded.

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