To help you save money when you're shopping for car insurance it's a good idea to know what you're paying for. This helps you for two reasons.
1. You can get accurate comparison quotes, one of the best ways to find out how much you can save on car insurance.
2. You can determine if you are paying for coverages you don't need, and thus possibly save with a lower premium.
Car insurance costs are influenced by several factors, including:
Your age -- If you're over 25, insurance companies will often give you a lower rate.
Your driving record -- The fewer accidents and tickets, the better.
How long it's been since you've had car insurance -- If it's been a few years, you may pay more initially.
How many miles you drive a year -- Car insurance companies factor in greater risk the more miles you drive, which can increase your premium.
The type of car -- Different cars can get different rates from different insurance companies. The cost of repair, the likelihood of theft or the inherent risk (such as a sports car) that's attributed to a car affects how much it costs to insure.
The area you live in -- Different regions are considered high or low risk by most car insurance companies based on crime rates, costs of medical care and more.
The coverages you carry -- The more coverages you have, the lower your deductibles and add-on features such as rental car reimbursement can all add more to the cost of your policy.
Because car insurance costs can vary between companies, it's a wise idea to comparison shop. You should try to get at least three different quotes for comparison, using the same coverages and features so you comparison is equal.
Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can compare car insurance quotes and find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. The site also includes a handy worksheet to help you when shopping for car insurance.
