Auto insurance rates can frustrate drivers, but auto insurance protects you from losses. From the courtroom for liability losses to replacing a stolen car, auto insurance shields your wallet under many circumstances. Get several car insurance quotes before settling on an insurance provider, and make your insurance more affordable.

Important factors that affect your car insurance rates most are your driving and loss records. For insurance companies, past behavior is the best predictor of future actions, so keep accidents and tickets to a minimum. Maintain your credit rating because people who have good credit can pay half as much for the same insurance.

The process of getting car insurance quotes can include the following steps:

1. Look at average quotes for auto insurance and how you can save money.

2. Understand the correlation between auto insurance quotes and your credit.

3. Consider the car you drive and how it affects your automotive insurance quotes.

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Find ways to save when you get quotes for car insurance

Compare your auto insurance rates to average rates within your state and around the country for each coverage and as a total premium. Then, investigate the ways you can save money on your auto insurance.

I recommend: See Insure.com's website to learn whether you live in one of the worst states for auto insurance rates. For others, the Insurance Information Institute compares insurance rates in a state-by-state format to see how your premiums compare to the average. If you pay above the average cost for your area, Kiplinger's website offers a great video outlining five great ways to save on your auto insurance quote.

Understand how credit score affects your automotive insurance rates and quotes

A car insurance quote is based in part on your credit score because the insurance industry finds that score is a great predictor of loss. People who tend to take care of their finances also tend to take better care of their assets with preventive maintenance and safer driving practices, reducing their risk. Check your credit score to see how you stack up.

I recommend: Bankrate offers an online FICO score estimator that allows you to estimate your credit score without paying a dime. From that site, you can also access your real FICO score for a fee. ChoicePoint, a LexisNexis company, also offers you a copy of your auto insurance score and credit report, but charges $12.95 for the service.

See how your location and vehicle type affect your car insurance rates

Some vehicles and areas have higher theft rates, which can drive up comprehensive rates. The price of insurance on other vehicles may depend on the amount of damage they can create, which drives up the liability costs. Look before you buy to find out which vehicles will save you most.

I recommend: MSN Money's personal finance page offers a calculator that lets you access information about different vehicles and how the insurance companies rate them. You can offset some of the costs by looking for discounts. Compare quotes at Insurance.com. Then visit Farmers Insurance Group online for a list of sample discounts by state. From the same page, you can also get online car insurance quotes or find an agent.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider your deductibles when shopping for auto insurance quotes. The higher the deductibles, the lower your premium.

Car insurance quotes are definitely more science than art. To calculate them, insurance companies use complicated formulas that include your age, gender and history, as well as the year, make and model of your car. The resulting auto insurance quotes make perfect sense to insurers, but often read like Greek to insured consumers.

Car insurance quotes don’t have to make perfect sense in order to be perfectly affordable, though. In fact, because the insurance industry is so competitive, quotes for auto insurance are more reasonable than most drivers give them credit for. Indeed, discounted automotive insurance rates and quotes abound for motorists who are willing to sniff them out. Among the best places to look:

1. Insurance search engines, where you can compare multiple quotes for auto insurance.
2. Insurance company websites, where you get instant auto insurance quotes.
3. Independent insurance agents, who often have access to special quotes for car insurance.
4. Professional associations, which often negotiate discounts on auto insurance quotes for their members.

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Get and compare multiple car insurance quotes online

If you need quotes for car insurance, the Internet is a good starting point. Available from all major car insurance companies, online car insurance quotes offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get instant auto insurance quotes from car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit quotes for car insurance from major insurance companies

Most major auto insurance carriers offer competitive automotive insurance rates and quotes. If you've got a company in mind, go straight to the source in order to get its car insurance quotes online.

I recommend: Among the country’s largest and most popular car insurance providers are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm.

Get car insurance quotes from local car insurance companies

Automotive insurance rates and quotes can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider local providers.

I recommend: You can find local car insurance companies at Business.com, where you can select your state from within its national automotive insurance directory. Your state’s insurance department can also provide you with a list of companies that are licensed to sell car insurance where you live, complete with websites or phone numbers through which you can get personalized car insurance quotes.

Use an independent agent to find cheap auto insurance quotes

Getting car insurance quotes via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and, most importantly, special car insurance rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can give you auto insurance rates in your town, search the member directory at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.

Consider getting car insurance quotes from associations

Membership groups, like trade associations, professional guilds and even warehouse clubs, often offer exclusive car insurance rates to their members.

I recommend: National associations like AAA and AARP are good sources for affordable car insurance quotes, as is just about any club or group to which you belong — even Costco.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The best and easiest way to secure the lowest car insurance quotes is to maintain a good driving record.
• •  In many states, certain demographics can get instant savings on auto insurance quotes; among them are good students, seniors and farmers.
• •  To get better car insurance quotes, do all your insurance shopping in one place; many providers offer discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them.
• •  If you want better automotive insurance rates and quotes, consider choosing a higher deductible, which typically translates into lower premiums and more monthly savings.
• •  Safety can almost guarantee you better car insurance rates and quotes; for potential savings, consider taking a defensive driving course or buying a car with airbags, anti-lock breaks or an anti-theft system.
• •  In some states, driving a hybrid car or a car that uses alternative fuels will get you cheaper car insurance quotes.

If you or your employees drive vehicles for business-related matters, one of your chief concerns will be obtaining car insurance quotes. Whether you have a whole fleet of vehicles in use every day or only a single vehicle used occasionally, you must have commercial coverage to protect your employees and your assets.

Although you may think buying commercial auto insurance is no different from buying insurance for your personal vehicle, there are important differences. When it comes to making the most of car insurance quotes, there are a few things you must know, including that:

1. Auto insurance quotes for business must take into consideration state requirements;

2. Quotes for car insurance must strictly define what commercial use is;

3. And there are many factors that determine your commercial auto insurance rates.

Action Steps
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Research state requirements before obtaining car insurance rates and quotes

Make sure your auto insurance quotes include adequate coverage to meet state requirements--including those that are industry specific. In addition, consider adding more coverage than is required for assets that would be difficult to replace in the case of an accident.

I recommend: Insurance Information Institute offers information about mandatory insurance coverage by state. Allstate recommends coverage based on your liability needs; take their quiz to make sure you have proper coverage.

Define what 'commercial' is when getting automotive insurance quotes

Just as your personal auto insurance will usually exclude coverage for business use, commercial auto policies exclude coverage for anything considered 'personal.' Be sure to let your agent know exactly how you or your employees will be using your business' vehicles to ensure you have appropriate coverage.

I recommend: Marsh offers a useful article on what commercial car insurance is, and whether or not you, as a business owner, need it. "Introduction to Commercial Auto Insurance" from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is a must read for every business owner.

Know how to lower premiums when obtaining quotes for auto insurance

When getting quotes, know that many things affect the price you receive, including the location of your business, your employees' driving records, the type of vehicle being covered, how high your deductible is and whether you use anti-theft and safety devices. Be sure to mention such details to your agent, and ask what additional steps you may be able to take to get a better rate.

I recommend: "Lowering the Cost of Auto Insurance," at Safeco Insurance Company of America provides a good overview of what factors affect your car insurance rates. Also, read "Ten Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance" at ForbesAutos.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One tip for lowering your commercial car insurance quote is to park your business vehicles in a garage; this can lower your automotive insurance rates and quotes by as much as 20 percent.

Whether you're a first-timer looking for a quote to secure car insurance, you've been through the process a number of times or your business requires that you keep up with the insurance market, first understand car insurance-related terminology to find the insurance or information your company needs. The words that follow are some key terms you should know to avoid hitting roadblocks as you set out to obtain car insurance quotes.

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Premium

A premium is simply the amount of money you pay for insurance coverage. The premium is typically paid either annually or semiannually.

I recommend: Read the information-packed article on car insurance premiums and factors that affect them at CarInsurance.com.

Deductible

All car insurance policies have a deductible. The deductible is the amount of money that you are responsible for paying before your car insurance kicks in. Deductible amounts vary, but they typically range from $100-$1,000 per incident.

I recommend: You can find an informative, easy-to-read article on car insurance deductibles at Christianet.

Collision coverage

This type of coverage pays for the damage to your insured vehicle if it hits another vehicle or object, is hit by another vehicle or object or if the vehicle overturns.

I recommend: It's a good idea to read the blog about collision coverage at Michael James on Money for a better understanding of the coverage and why you might or might not need it.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage, as its name implies, is the element of car insurance that covers anything that happens to your vehicle other than a collision. Those things could include natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, theft and vandalism.

I recommend: Nationwide offers a brief educational description of what comprehensive coverage is and what it covers.

Uninsured motorist coverage

This coverage is designed to pay for your injuries or property damage caused by a driver who has no insurance or, in some cases, motorists who don't have enough insurance coverage to pay your claim.

I recommend: There's a great article at Insurance.com that details the whats and whys of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Personal injury protection

Personal injury protection (PIP) is a type of coverage designed to pay for medical treatment, lost wages or other expenses related to the accident-regardless of who caused it.

I recommend: Take a look at the definition and description of personal injury protection at Auto Insurance Remedy.