We all need car insurance but it is probably not the type of thing that we take the time to shop for very often. But if we do take the time to shop around for car insurance, which we absolutely should do every now and then like every couple of years, we just want to make sure that we are still getting the best possible quote and not overpaying. There is always a new car insurance company coming around the bend who just might be offering a more competitive quote.

But if you think it is really a better quote, make sure you look at it again. You almost need to be an expert in insurance terminology these days to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, although there are certain things that anyone can check. Just as an example, if you are comparing a policy with a $500 deductible and a $1000 deductible, you may not realize the difference at first, but they are not the same thing.

When comparing different car insurance rates, you should shop online, but do not think for a minute that those are the best rates around. They may be good, but you need to be thorough in your shopping, since your local insurance company can sometimes beat the quotes that you get online. This all comes down to too many aspects to list here, but one of the main considerations is your driving record. If your driving record is good, free of accidents and tickets, then you are in good shape.

But if your driving history lacks a little luster, maybe you have an accident or two, maybe combined with a ticket or two, it is going to be tougher to find a good quote for car insurance. It will not be impossible, but you are going to end up paying much more than you would like to.

The bottom line is that you must carry car insurance. Almost all states have a requirement that you carry it these days. And do not forget to add in the cost of your car insurance when you are trying to figure out if you can afford that new car. The car payment and the insurance payment are both ultimately for the benefit of the car.

Part of the criteria that goes into pricing car insurance is the type of vehicle that you want to insure. I am sure that you realize that there will be a difference in the amount of insurance you pay to insure a late model Corvette compared to a late model Yugo, but the criteria is actually based on much more than just the cars value. The crash safety test rating is also taken into account, so the insurance rates for a late model sedan from one car manufacturer compared to a late model sedan from another manufacturer could be wildly different in terms of car insurance costs.

So shop around and get your best quote for car insurance. Check online pricing but do not assume that that is as good as it gets. The time you put into your shopping will be directly reflected as savings in your wallet.