Shopping for Car Insurance
The internet is a great place to start your car insurance shopping and learn the basics...and since you're here, you have already begun. There are several sites that will give full quotes online, and lot's of others that will take your information and get back to you. Once you have a general idea of what your costs will be, check with a local agent. Sometimes it's convenient having someone local to talk with rather than spending time on an 800 number, but keep in mind that many of today's insurance agents are just order takers and can't offer service.
Shop around because prices vary for many reasons. Companies base their rates on a variety of factors and may have different priorities. Your rate may be based on:
- Your driving record, a better record will lower your premium.
- The number of miles you drive each year, the more miles you drive, the more chance for accidents.
- Where you live, companies track neighborhoods by the number of accidents, car thefts and lawsuits, along with the cost of medical care and car repair.
- What kind of car you drive, some cars cost more to insure than others because they are stolen more often, cost more to replace, more to repair, and the overall safety record of the car.
- Your age, generally, mature drivers have fewer accidents than newer drivers, particularly teenagers. So insurers generally charge more if teenagers or young people below age 25 drive your car (and boys are charged more than girls).
- Your credit record.
- The amount of coverage, the more coverage you have, the more it costs.