Money-Saving Advice For Finding New Vehicles

Best Resale Value Vehicles

Money-Saving Advice For Finding New Vehicles With Minimal Depreciation Ahead

When searching for a new vehicle, car-shoppers often consider fuel-economy, exterior and interior features, and price. Shoppers should also consider something they won't find on any window sticker: resale value. Depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during ownership, so knowing the vehicle brands and models with the best projected resale value can help new-car shoppers make a more informed purchase decision.
The leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, announced the all-new 2009 model-year vehicle winners of its annual Best Resale Value Awards, which recognize current and upcoming vehicles for their projected retained value five years from now (the average ownership period).

Vehicle shoppers should take several factors into consideration when buying a new car to ensure as much future value as possible. First, car-buyers should choose a popular exterior color such as silver or black. Then, car-buyers should choose optional equipment that is customary for the type of vehicle they are buying. Equipment and options that are popular with used-vehicle buyers include antilock brakes (ABS), alloy wheels, audio system with MP3/iPod compatibility, power-operated leather-covered seats, cruise control, remote locking and navigation system. Car-buyers should also recognize that the cost of some potentially expensive features like premium audio systems will be difficult to recover at trade-in or resale time.

"Especially in today's tough market and difficult economy, consumers really need to take a hard look at the projected resale value of a car when choosing their next new vehicle purchase," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst with Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "Choosing makes, models and options wisely now can help new-car shoppers keep additional money in their pocket down the road when they go to sell or trade in the vehicle used."

The 2009 Best Resale Value Awards list offers an array of vehicles to fit any lifestyle.

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Cheap Car Insurance in New York (NY)

Purchasing cheap car insurance in New York State (or New York City for that matter) isn’t hard, but before you start looking at the various companies and their rates, there are a few things about NY insurance laws you need to be aware of. Knowing what the law requires will help you understand what kind of coverage you absolutely need, and what constitutes “extras”.

First of all, New York law requires that all registered vehicles carry minimum liability insurance; a per accident minimum of $25,000/50,000 for injury, $50,000/100,000 for death, and $10,000 for property damage. The law also requires the liability coverage to remain in force as long as the vehicle is registered. Unlike many states, license plates issued at the time of registration are not permanent. If insurance coverage lapses, the plates must be returned immediately to the state Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

Another requirement of NY is that liability insurance must be in the same name as the registration. This presents a problem for parents of teen drivers who might be given their first car or purchase one on their own. Children living at home can be carried on a parent’s policy until age twenty-one, but insurance ID cards still must be issued in the child’s name if his name is used on the registration. This may or may not affect premiums, depending on the terms of the individual insurance company.

The last thing to know is that NY car insurance must be provided by an in-state company or an out-of-state company licensed to provide insurance in NY. Insurance carried by out-of-state and unlicensed companies is invalid in NY and will result in a suspended license and registration. This is true even if a resident moves out of state but continues to keep his vehicle registered in NY. Improper insurance coverage could hamper a person’s ability to acquire a driver’s license or registration in his new state.

There are several well-known national companies providing good insurance to NY drivers at a reasonable price. Geico, Progressive, and 21st Century (previously AIG) are the most prominent, offering standard insurance services to most drivers. For the younger driver, and those who have issues (speeding, accidents, DUI, etc.), there are regional and state-wide companies that offer products specifically designed for those issues. Premiums may be higher, but monthly installments are often available to lessen the burden. Just make sure to do your homework before you buy; call, ask questions, visit web sites. The more you know, the better you’ll be at making a good choice.

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Women 'More Concerned About Fuel Increases'

The results of a poll held in Australia have found that women drivers are more concerned about the costs of fuel than men.

Women, whose greater consideration for safe driving in many cases results in much lower car insurance premiums, also appear to be more considerate when it comes to the costs of petrol, according to the survey from NEWS.com.au and Coredata.

Some 86 per cent of women motorists said they were worried about the ever rising price of petrol, compared with a slightly lower 80 per cent of men.

Furthermore, 66 per cent of women surveyed said they were trying to economise on their overall petrol usage, while only 59 per cent of their male counterparts, who will generally pay higher car insurance premiums, said the same.

Almost half of women drivers revealed that they were looking to purchase a small car. Those shopping for female car insurance could benefit from such a move, as small cars generally have smaller car insurance premiums.

Contrastingly, under a third of men said they were considering buying a small car.

Petrol price worries are not unique to Australian women drivers - both male and female British drivers may have felt the strain on the pocket of rising fuel costs over the last few years.

And like in Australia, many men and women drivers in Britain may also be considering purchasing smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles to cut costs.

Buying a new car often provides a good opportunity to review car insurance policies and some providers specifically offer motor insurance for women, given their statistically better safety profiles.

A survey earlier this year from the car manufacturers ‘Chrysler Group’ found that men and women drivers felt differently about the standards of each other's driving, despite the fact they agreed on aspects of driving itself, such as evading objects and bad weather.

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Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check prices for certain jobs. It is always smart to get a second opinion.

How about some preventative medicine? Keep a full tank. This will help avoid gas line freeze in cold weather. Also, driving on "fumes" allows little pieces of land at the bottom of your gas tank along the lines of the last drops of fuel gases. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well.

Sometimes a problem with the vehicle electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have fuses before investing in a tow truck! Keep track of how much oil your car uses. Means a sudden change in oil consumption you need to see a technician. Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed with every 30,000 km. Check your tire pressure once a month. You can check this simple maintenance to set up savings at the pump!

Stop and go spend more than causing the vehicle traffic. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you "must" in short trips.

There are other ways to save on car expenses. We see insurance payments.

If you are in the budget for out-of-pocket expenses in case of possible car accident, you may want to increase your insurance deductible to $ 500. This will lower the cost of your insurance.

Talk to your insurance agent. If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money.

auto insurance companies offer various discounts. Ask your agent if the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, air bags, driver for adults, students, or good or maintaining a good driving record.

Before buying from a dealer, ask for information on returning to the dealer, do so in writing and read it carefully. The vendors are not required by law to give used car buyers a three day right to cancel.

Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph likely pay an additional fee of $ 0.10 a gallon for gas.

In most cases, using cruise control save gas on the highway.

Instead of a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage of your car as much as 10 percent. This is not going to cost arm or leg.

Do your homework when buying a car from auction. Many vehicles were damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. Will not last long - leaving you with a flood of bills. Being somewhat 'concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of rust.

If you use your car for business, keep track of your mileage so that you can use this for a tax deduction. More on irs.gov.

When you consider all the ways to save money on your current vehicle, you can be sure to set aside each month for new street car!

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Think Twice Before Declining The Rental Car Damage Waiver

Many auto renters decline the rental car damage waiver because they think their personal auto policy will cover their use of a rental. While often true, this is not always the case, and you should check with your insurance agent or broker about your policy's coverage before renting a vehicle.

"But, even if your policy includes rentals, there may be costs it doesn't cover," says Bill Wilson, CPCU, director of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's Virtual University. "For example, the rental company may well use a more expensive way of calculating vehicle damage than your auto policy and you might be stuck paying the difference."

Also, most policies give the insurance company the right to inspect and appraise damage before repairing or disposing of the vehicle. The rental company is not bound by this and may be eager to rid itself quickly of the auto or return it to service. This can affect whether you're covered. Also, the rental company might insist on immediate payment for damage via credit card surcharge, which could "max out" your card. While most auto policies cover the rental company's loss of income, its "loss of use" calculation might be hundreds of dollars more than your policy's limits. Further, the rental agreement might make you responsible for various "administrative" charges, such as towing, storage and appraisal, usually not covered by auto policies.
"Most alarmingly, rental car companies frequently charge for 'diminished value'-the loss of resale value because of damage to the vehicle-typically not covered by auto policies. Such charges of $5,000 to $8,000 are not uncommon," says Wilson. Further, auto policies usually do not cover damages to motorcycles, RVs and other vehicles, and offer very limited coverage for damage to rented trailers. Additionally, coverage extends only to the U.S. and Canada; policies have deductibles; and insurance company payment to the rental car company may result in future premium surcharges for you.

So before you rent, consult with your insurance agent or broker- and think twice before you rely solely on your auto policy to protect you.


Before you rent a car, consult with your insurance agent or broker-and think twice before you rely solely on your auto policy to protect you.

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Car Financing Tips To Know When You're Buying A Car

Car financing is a complicated subject. It seems that everyone has a different opinion on the best methods or strategies for financing such a large purchase should be. It can be hard to know how big a monthly payment is too big, how much of a down payment is too small, and where in between the sweet spot lies for most car buyers.

A common mistake when financing a car is to look at the size of the monthly payment instead of the actual cost of the car itself. It can be tempting to go for a car that has more luxury features or a bigger engine simply because it is offered with a monthly price that you can afford. This kind of payment focus can lead you to overspend your budget by a huge amount – sometimes five to ten thousand dollars more than you initially intended to pay.

Dealers tend to encourage monthly-payment oriented thinking because from their perspective, the longer you are making payments on your car, the more money they can make from administrative fees and interest. Instead of taking 3 years to pay off your car, you might now be looking at 5 years and close to double the amount of interest paid.
It’s also important to take a close look at the details of any payment plan that is offered to you to make sure that the terms, interest rate and period are competitive with that which you could get from your bank. Sitting down with a calculator and determining the real cost components of any monthly payment plan you have been offered will give you the real picture of exactly where your money is going.

Down payments are another gray area. There are those who recommend making the largest down payment that you can afford on your vehicle – typically around 20 percent, although some say as much as half – in order to avoid the interest costs associated with financing. However, an equally vocal contingent will warn buyers against making any cash down payment at all before a deal is inked. In some cases, if dealers walk away from the bargaining table they can take your down payment with them if a contract hasn't been signed. If you must make a down payment or deposit on a car to get priority at a dealership, try doing it with a credit card so you can get your money back if things turn sour.

With all of these warnings, caveats and traps to look out for, it can sometimes make it seem like car financing is a complete nightmare. That doesn't have to be the case. As long as a buyer is completely informed about what is happening with regards to their financing, and as long as the negotiation process, fees and interest rates are completely transparent and spelled out on paper, then there is no reason to fear financing this major purchase. Financing can help you manage your cash flow and keep you from tying up all of your resources in a single asset – making sure you will be prepared to deal with any unexpected financial issues that life may throw at you. No one wants to have to sell their car due to hardship, and with the right financing, it doesn't have to happen.

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Money-Saving Advice For Finding New Vehicles

Best Resale Value Vehicles

Money-Saving Advice For Finding New Vehicles With Minimal Depreciation Ahead

When searching for a new vehicle, car-shoppers often consider fuel-economy, exterior and interior features, and price. Shoppers should also consider something they won't find on any window sticker: resale value. Depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during ownership, so knowing the vehicle brands and models with the best projected resale value can help new-car shoppers make a more informed purchase decision.
The leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, announced the all-new 2009 model-year vehicle winners of its annual Best Resale Value Awards, which recognize current and upcoming vehicles for their projected retained value five years from now (the average ownership period).

Vehicle shoppers should take several factors into consideration when buying a new car to ensure as much future value as possible. First, car-buyers should choose a popular exterior color such as silver or black. Then, car-buyers should choose optional equipment that is customary for the type of vehicle they are buying. Equipment and options that are popular with used-vehicle buyers include antilock brakes (ABS), alloy wheels, audio system with MP3/iPod compatibility, power-operated leather-covered seats, cruise control, remote locking and navigation system. Car-buyers should also recognize that the cost of some potentially expensive features like premium audio systems will be difficult to recover at trade-in or resale time.

"Especially in today's tough market and difficult economy, consumers really need to take a hard look at the projected resale value of a car when choosing their next new vehicle purchase," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst with Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "Choosing makes, models and options wisely now can help new-car shoppers keep additional money in their pocket down the road when they go to sell or trade in the vehicle used."

The 2009 Best Resale Value Awards list offers an array of vehicles to fit any lifestyle.

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New Car Prices, Then And Now

New car prices have certainly changed a lot over the years. While obviously inflation, the cost of energy and a number of other causes have caused automobile prices to skyrocket when compared to the 1970’s, there are also some changes in attitude from automakers which are reflected in modern pricing schemes.

Imagine the year is 1971. Walking into the new Dodge dealership, you see a brand new Charger R/T coupe, which was one of the definitive muscle cars of the era. The price? $4700. A similarly configured Charger, brand new from Dodge today in 2008 will cost in the neighborhood of $30,000. This represents a fairly significant increase. What are some of the factors that caused new car pricing to multiply six-fold?

Inflation only tells half the story. Adjusting that $4700 from 1970 into today’s dollars gives us a price of roughly $21,000. That still leaves us around $9000 short of the current market price for a similar car.
The difference becomes even more pronounced when examining median household income in the United States. In 1970, it was around $35,000 (in today’s dollars), but for the last few years it has stabilized around $42,000 – not a huge increase, and certainly not large enough to explain the discrepancy in pricing. It’s not as simple as saying that car companies now charge more for their vehicles because the market can bear higher prices.

One of the most telling components of new car prices are the increased cost of labor. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, American automakers fought a losing battle against trade unions representing the workers in their plants. The result of these confrontations were increased costs not only in the salaries paid to workers, but also in the benefits that workers were entitled to. In some cases, these benefits are paid out long after the employee has left the assembly line and is no longer economically contributing to the company. General Motors actually loses money on many of the cars they sell, and for a long time only generated profits based on their automobile financing company.

Japanese car companies don’t have these same labor issues, yet their pricing remains competitive with domestic car companies. This indicates that employee costs are not the only driving factor when it comes to car price increases. The implementation of technology is another part of the pricing puzzle.

Cars of today are technologically advanced over those of three decades ago to an almost extreme degree. Anti-lock brakes, airbags, stability control systems, drive-by-wire – all of these features were expensive to develop in terms of research and testing, and they also contribute to increased manufacturing costs, due to the more delicate techniques and expensive materials required to implement them in modern vehicles. The increased demand for fuel efficient engines which produce minimal emissions has also forced automakers to invest in their engine programs to a much larger degree than they have in the past.

It seems that peeling back the surface of today’s automobile pricing reveals an intricate web of dependent financial concerns that together make up the cost of driving a brand new car in the United States.

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Cutting The Cost Of Buying A Car

Car buyers are cutting the cost of buying a car by looking at CPO's or Certified Preowned Vehicles. In this economy everyone wants to save money and a car purchase is an expensive, but necessary, purchase. Read on and find out how AutoTrader suggests we can save money on buying a car.

(NAPSI)-Experts say the best way to drive down the cost of the next vehicle you purchase may be to look for a CPO-or "certified preowned"-car, truck or SUV.

CPOs, which are becoming increasingly popular with consumers, allow people to benefit from the typical affordability of a used car and the security that comes with a factory-backed warranty. Indeed, certified sales have become a bright spot for the automotive industry, with sales for 2009 showing double-digit growth against the year before.

CPO vehicles are generally several-year-old cars, trucks or SUVs that have been returned to the dealer after being leased. Most CPO vehicles on lots currently range from 2005 to 2007 model years, though it is possible to find 2008 and even the occasional 2009 model year vehicles for sale as well.

Details of manufacturers' CPO programs vary but typically involve an extended warranty and assurances that the car has been carefully scrutinized during a comprehensive, multipoint inspection. Automotive Web sites such as AutoTrader.com can be useful resources for learning about and comparing CPO programs.

CPO Benefits

Experts say that buying what is essentially a factory-backed used vehicle can save consumers money. While a CPO car will generally cost between $500 to $1,000 more than a used car lacking the inspection guarantee, it also will likely cost thousands less than a nearly identical brand-new model. For consumers, this can translate into car payments that will often match the lease payments on a new car, truck or SUV.

Growing Trends

Another factor driving consumers to CPOs is that many are finding it more socially acceptable to buy used. Car buyers, especially those in the luxury sector, find that buying certified gives them many of the perks of buying new, such as access to factory-sponsored maintenance programs, without the worries of appearing fiscally irresponsible in a down economy.

"For a consumer wanting the prestige and customer service that comes with owning a luxury car, balanced with the sensibility of purchasing used, buying CPO is hard to beat,"

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Buying A Used Car Instead Of A New One?

Progressive Insurance tips when you are buying a used car instead of a new one.

In today's unstable economy, you might be in the market for a used car instead of a new one.

But used car shopping isn't easy-it requires a keen eye and an inquisitive nature. Before you buy a used vehicle, here are a few tips from leading car insurer Progressive to make sure you're getting your money's worth:
Ask about previous damage. Has the vehicle ever been in an accident or a flood? Get details on the extent of damage if it has. And inspect the vehicle closely, looking for these "red flags":


• Mismatched vehicle identification numbers (VINs) on the vehicle title, dashboard, driver door panel, hood or trunk;

• Mismatched paint on exterior body parts, or paint-over spray on interior parts such as door edges and the engine compartment;

• Missing bolts or uneven welding in major areas, such as the front-end core support or the trunk.

Ask for routine maintenance records. The owner should be able to provide information about what service work has been done.

Buy a vehicle history report. Get the vehicle's VIN, then go to www.carfax.com or www.autocheck.com and purchase a vehicle history report. The history will show past owners of and damage to the car, as well as mileage and title history. Some state motor vehicle departments may also provide some of this information.

Check out the seller. Some unscrupulous sellers may try to sell a poorly repaired salvage vehicle, which means it's been totaled before and they've rebuilt it. If you're buying from a car dealer, check with the Better Business Bureau. If the seller is an individual, look through the classifieds for other vehicle ads with the same phone number-this is a sign of an unlicensed broker who sells used vehicles by posing as the owner.

Ask a professional to inspect the vehicle. Take the vehicle to a mechanic or body shop you trust. Have them inspect the vehicle inside and out for previous repairs and the quality of any repair work they discover.

Research insurance costs. Before you buy, ask your local independent agent or broker how much your car will cost to insure. And while you're there, make sure you have the right coverages for your vehicle. For example, if you're buying an older or more inexpensive car, you might want to consider dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverages.

Following these tips can help you avoid any unwelcome surprises from your new (used) car.

For more information or to find an agent nearby, visit www.progressiveagent.com.

Used car shopping requires a keen eye and an inquisitive nature.

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Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile'

The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before.

With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.6 16-valve TDCi Titanium estate with Durashift CVT transmission.

The most basic Studio model standard equipment including electrically operated front windows and central locking, while its low car insurance rating in group 4E will have been aided by the array of safety features in and around the vehicle.

These include features such as Ford's Intelligent Protection System, including driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags and front seatbelt pyrotechnic pre-tensioners, while standard anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution will help to avoid accidents happening in the first place due to drivers locking up.

Additionally, the ISOFIX seat mounts allow drivers with young families to secure child seats much more easily in the back of the car.

Indeed, Ford manufacturers describe the car as the safest in its class, citing its five star Euro NCAP rating factors that are crucial in deciding a particular vehicle's motor insurance grouping.

Drivers looking for Ford car insurance may also find the standard security features of interest, such as immobilsers and central locking, which can be operated remotely in the LX models and above.

The Ghia model, which includes various luxury features, is fitted with a Thatcham category one volume sensing alarm, to ward off burglars and keep car insurance claims to an absolute minimum.

Except for the range of high-performance Ford ST models, the maximum motor insurance grouping for any car in the Ford Focus range is 10E, which is generally for the Ghia and Titanium range models.

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Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile'

The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before.

With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.6 16-valve TDCi Titanium estate with Durashift CVT transmission.

The most basic Studio model standard equipment including electrically operated front windows and central locking, while its low car insurance rating in group 4E will have been aided by the array of safety features in and around the vehicle.

These include features such as Ford's Intelligent Protection System, including driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags and front seatbelt pyrotechnic pre-tensioners, while standard anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution will help to avoid accidents happening in the first place due to drivers locking up.

Additionally, the ISOFIX seat mounts allow drivers with young families to secure child seats much more easily in the back of the car.

Indeed, Ford manufacturers describe the car as the safest in its class, citing its five star Euro NCAP rating factors that are crucial in deciding a particular vehicle's motor insurance grouping.

Drivers looking for Ford car insurance may also find the standard security features of interest, such as immobilsers and central locking, which can be operated remotely in the LX models and above.

The Ghia model, which includes various luxury features, is fitted with a Thatcham category one volume sensing alarm, to ward off burglars and keep car insurance claims to an absolute minimum.

Except for the range of high-performance Ford ST models, the maximum motor insurance grouping for any car in the Ford Focus range is 10E, which is generally for the Ghia and Titanium range models.

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Car Insurance Shopping And How To Save Money On Gas

With the price of gas at an all time high, and no relief in site, consumers are looking for more ways to save money on gas. Consider saving money on your car insurance to offset the high cost of gas.

Today, millions of car insurance consumers are buying their car insurance policies on the telephone and the Internet. Insurance companies are spending more money than ever on advertising. Rate quotes and policies are available through a multitude of web sites, from insurance companies direct, to web sites that offer multiple quotes from a single application.

With this increasing demand for car insurance rate quotes via telephone and the Internet, decisions about cost and coverages are being made faster than ever. Is the average car insurance consumer getting the correct policy at the best possible price? Can the consumer lower their cost of transportation by saving money on their car insurance?

Many car insurance consumers are not aware of the numerous discounts available on car insurance policies today. Check out the following list of some of these discounts and see if any of them apply to you.

A multi-car discount will lower the premium on each vehicle on the same policy. Some companies will sell you a separate policy for each vehicle and still give you the multi-car discount. Keep in mind there can be overhead or additional cost for each policy, so having all of your vehicles on the same policy could save you money.

Most insurance companies will give full time high school or college students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average a discount. This discount could be as high as fifteen percent on the primary vehicle that the student drives. If the premium for the student driver is one to two thousand dollars per year, a good student discount could be a savings of one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars per year. Multiply that by the number of years in school, and that will add up to a huge savings.

Some insurance companies will give you an occupational discount depending on your educational background and job title. Teachers, Medical Professionals, Scientists, Engineers, Computer Professionals, and other jobs that require a college degree, license, or certification.

An anti-theft discount can lower the comprehensive (theft & vandalism) portion of the policy premium. This is generally considered to be a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) based system where your car can be located via a satellite if it is stolen.

Some companies offer a 2% to 15% discount to active and retired members of the military.

Department of Motor Vehicle certified mature driving courses are available for senior citizens and can lower your premium as much as ten percent.

And of course, maintaining a good driving record will allow your insurance carrier to give you a good driver discount and keep your rates down.

"Who is happy with the price of gas today? Consumer advocate studies show that the first and foremost reason people are over paying premium-wise for auto insurance is that they don't take the time and effort to shop around and compare prices. Cost savings on a policy can add up to hundreds of dollars per year, if you know what to look for and ask. And, shopping for car insurance has never been easier."

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How To Shop For Cheap Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance is one of those purchases whose price can vary radically depending on which company you contact. Because of the wide disparity in rates when you make an auto insurance comparison, you need to know how to get the cheapest car insurance rates that you can. After all, if all other considerations are equal, the auto insurer with the best car insurance quote is often your best bet.

The first thing to do is make sure that you shop around thoroughly to get enough rate quotes that you can make a good educated decision. Just don't get a car insurance quote and buy the policy right there. As with so many other consumer decisions, car insurance is something that must be shopped and compared to get the best deal.


It's often suggested to get at least three car insurance quotes before making a decision, but that is more like the minimum actually. You can get insurance quotes both online and offline as car insurance companies vary as to how they sell insurance. There are still many who sell through a network of their own agents exclusively. Other insurance companies will also sell through independent agents who may represent several companies at a time and can offer to make an auto insurance comparison among all the companies that they represent to give you the best deal.

But one of the fastest growing trends in selling car insurance is the online, direct to consumer companies. The internet has changed the face of many industries and auto insurance is certainly one of those that have been permanently altered. Today, you can simply find one of the major insurance quote providers on the web, enter your information and get a quote from several sources in very little time at all. And because many of these companies have much less overhead than other more traditional insurers, they are able to sell direct to the consumer and save them money as they do.

However, there are some things that you should consider before making any car insurance purchase. Be sure that the company you buy from is financially stable. As more and more newer companies get into the car insurance field, this becomes critical, so check their financial stability on sites such as ambest.com and standardandpoors.com before you buy, and see how the company is rated. It's also a good idea to call your state insurance commissioner's office and see how many customer complaints have been received by a particular company that you are considering too. This can help you find out if they not only sell insurance, but also provide good customer service after the sale.

Finally, ask around among your family and friends about their experiences with car insurance companies and see what information you can get. This is often one of the best, most unbiased ways of learning about almost any kind of product that you want to buy, so factor what they have to say in making your final decision as well.

If you take the steps mentioned above as you make an auto insurance comparison, you should be able to get a good picture of what will be the best choice for you and how you can get cheap car insurance rates too.

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