Comparing auto insurance on the web saves time, is easy to do, in addition you might just save a little. The key to finding lower rates is to take the time to get rates from all providers so you can get every company's rates.

Using the web to shop for auto insurance direct can be complicated if you are a beginner to online quotes. But relax because comparing prices is actually very simple. Getting lower isn't really that difficult. The only thing you need to do is invest a little time to get quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done by completing this short form.

Criteria which help determine car insurance premiums

Auto insurance rates paid to insure a 2008 can vary widely and are calculated by many factors. A few of these criteria are:

  • Tickets increase premiums
  • Credit rating
  • Your location impacts rates
  • Annual mileage can affect rates
  • Male drivers pay higher rates
  • Low deductibles cost more
  • NTSB crash rating for your vehicle
  • Claims drive up premiums
  • Maintaining coverage lowers rates
  • Owning a home can lower rates

A final factor that can impact is the model year. New vehicles have a higher value in comparison to later models so the costs to repair can inflate annual premiums. But new models may have a trim level with safety features including lane departure warning system, a telematics system, and a collision avoidance system which can give discounted rates.

Liability car insurance

This provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property. Liability coverage pays for claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and emergency aid. It is cheap coverage so consider buying higher limits if possible.

Coverage for collisions

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. It's also possible to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive auto insurance

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by your comprehensive insurance. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle's value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the "other guys" either have no liability insurance or not enough. Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn't take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.

Coverage for medical expenses

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills (i.e. ambulance fees, surgery, and doctor visits). They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. PIP coverage is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage.