Making the Most of Car Insurance Quotes

Find the information you need to get the best car insurance rates

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

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

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