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You wouldn’t buy a suit, dress or pair of shoes that didn’t fit right, would you? When it comes to buying insurance for your car, truck or SUV, it makes even more sense to get just the right fit. Here are 10 steps to help you choose your next auto insurance provider.

1. Know what you need – If you currently have an insured vehicle, and plan on replacing it with a like vehicle, you already have an idea of what you may need. Type of vehicle — car, truck, SUV; brand, fuel economy, vehicle size, engine size, luxury, economy, hybrid, alternate fuel, etc., are some of the considerations. Suppose you are moving up (or down) in various classifications. You may need to do some research on the additional types of coverage you may want or need. With an older car, you can probably eliminate comprehensive coverage and only carry liability (a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage is required in all states). For a luxury make, you’ll more likely want comprehensive or full coverage from a more upscale insurer.
2. Know what you can spend – Calculate your monthly budget to determine what you can spend on car insurance. This is especially important if you are buying up, a new vehicle that costs more to insure than your current one. It makes no sense to buy a sports car or luxury SUV if you can’t afford the monthly insurance premiums.
3. Decide on your deductible – You can get a premium price break if you opt for a higher deductible – the amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered losses before your insurance kicks in. There are deductibles in amounts ranging from $250 to $1,500. Remember, however, that you won’t be able to repair your vehicle if you don’t have the deductible readily available to you. That $1,500 deductible may sound really good, but if you don’t have it in the bank and you suddenly need it, maybe it isn’t such a wise idea after all.
4. Check your credit report – Insurers base premiums and coverage on many factors, including your credit worthiness. Know what your credit report contains and get a copy of your credit score. Good credit worthiness equals better rates – if other factors are also in alignment.
5. Maintain a good driving record – This goes without saying, but it does bear repeating. Accidents, tickets for speeding, DUI, etc., all take a toll on your insurance premium. And they stay on your record for three years. Some insurance carriers ask whether you’ve had any of these in the past five years. A good driving record also helps you qualify for discounts, which lower your monthly insurance premium.
6. Ask your friends – Find out which insurer your friends use and whether or not they’re happy with their overall service. This is a good place to start, especially if you’re not happy with your current auto insurance provider.
7. Research – This involves a bit of legwork on your part, but the results will be well worth it. Compare rates of numerous auto insurance providers through sites such as www.netquote.com/ and www.insweb.com/. Next, check consumer complaint ratings through your state’s department of insurance website (number of complaints per 1,000 claims). Also check the companies’ consumer satisfaction ratings. J.D. Power and Associates (www.jdpa.com) conducts an annual survey of the major auto insurance companies. For the past three years, Amica and Erie have scored at the top of the list in all categories. You’ll want to research the financial strength of the companies by checking their A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) and Standard and Poors’ (www.standardandpoors.com) ratings. A good site with lots of tips on buying car insurance is Edmunds (www.edmunds.com).
8. Compare services –Check each company you’re considering to see how they handle billing and payment, policy renewals, and claims process. Most have a toll-free number. Use it and ask lots of questions. The way you’re treated and how they answer your questions will be a good barometer of the company’s overall customer service.
9. Decide how you’ll interact – Do you prefer to work with a local agent, an independent agent representing several companies, or directly with the auto insurance provider? You can buy online, over the phone, or in person through an agent.
10. Get all your available discounts – While you’re interacting with your short list of insurance providers, make sure to inquire about all available discounts – non-smoker, anti-theft devices, good driver discount, senior discount, special membership discount, etc. If you do stay with your current insurer, make sure you get persistent customer discount as well.

By Suzanne Kane

If you have a question you’d like our experts and community to answer, please ask your question at http://forum.iseecars.com.  To start your car search, visit http://www.iSeeCars.com to find over 2 million cars for sale across more than 11,000 websites.

By: Sarah E. Sanuth, an insider in the automotive industry  with many years of experience in the car dealership and repair business

Auto Insurance is a necessity to every person who owns a vehicle, but it doesn’t have to be a costly mistake. There are many parts to having the proper coverage that are often overlooked or under-examined.

Know your Driving Record

Your driving record is a key factor in determining the cost of your insurance. If you know your driving record is going to improve, wait until it does before you purchase insurance, it can save you a lot of money. But if you have insurance and you know your driving record will improve before renewal, make an effort to get quotes before renewing with your current insurance company.

Coverage

Your first step is to know what your states minimum requirements are on coverage. Next assess what kind of coverage you really need, or feel the safest with having. Limits are the most important. While you may have coverage for bodily harm set at $25,000; this might not be enough in the event that you are in an accident and someone gets hurt.

In the event the damage exceeds the limits that you have set in your policy, or are sued beyond those limits, the remainder is your responsibility to pay. This means that any assets that you happen to have can be attached until the balance is paid. However, if you don’t have assets, excessive coverage isn’t necessary.

The average car on the road is worth more than $20,000. So that should the lowest you go on property damage.

Deductible

Make sure you choose the proper deductible. Many times consumers choose a policy based on price but get a deductible that is too high, therefore hindering their ability to have their vehicle repaired. Make sure that you can afford to pay the deductible in the event that you need to use the insurance.

Cost

With all coverage limits the same, compare the pricing difference between many different companies. Usually the smaller the company, the higher the price for the insurance, but the better service you will receive. But regardless, make sure you choose a company that will provide you with the most comprehensive coverage and the best service.

A great website that will compare rates for you in one step is www.insweb.com.  Also check out www.InsuranceQuotes.com if you want a quick insurance quote.

Consumer Reviews

Do a full assessment of the company you are planning on using before you purchase the auto insurance. Service is a big part of having insurance and if many customers have been left in the dark, you probably will be too. You don’t want to be paying an insurance company if they won’t cover a claim.

You can check a few different sources to get information about an insurance company. You can check your states Department of Insurance. This site should give you a wealth of information on their customer satisfaction ratings. Another website with this information is J.D. Power and Associates at www.jdpower.com.

Another area to check, especially during hard economic times, is the companies Standard and Poor’s rating at www.standardandpoors.com. This rating will give you information on the company’s ability to pay a claim.

Retain your Rights

In the event something happens and you are not at fault in the accident, make sure you retain your rights to sue. Some insurance companies will require you to give up this right to be covered. However, if there is an event that isn’t covered properly by the other persons insurance, you may need to sue them to recoup those costs. You don’t want to be left without that ability.

Before you sign, make sure that you have covered all your options and researched them as much as possible so you are making an informed decision and receiving the best coverage and service.

If you have a question you’d like our experts and community to answer, please ask your question at http://forum.iseecars.com.  To start your used car search, visit http://www.iSeeCars.com

Most Expensive:

Imagine you’re driving to work in your brand new red sports car. You’re weaving
in and out of lanes and laughing at the people you pass driving to work in their over-
sized, gas-guzzling SUVs.

Well, while laughing, think about this: although SUVs do spend more money on gas,
you’re probably spending much more on your auto insurance premium. According to the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, faster cars get into more accidents—particularly
when the person behind the wheel is a young and inexperienced driver.

As a whole, smaller cars (which, in turn, tend to be faster as well) are more attractive to
young car buyers, mainly due to the fact that these cars are likely less expensive when
compared to larger vehicles. However, younger drivers also seem to be a bit riskier on
the road, and use the small size of their vehicle to burn through traffic.

The Subaru Impreza WRX, the Mitsubishi Lancer, the Acura RSX, and the Nissan Sentra
SE-R are the vehicles with the highest collision rates, mainly because the drivers of these
cars tend to be younger, and the way they drive causes more accidents.

However, don’t expect every car on the list of ‘Most Expensive Cars to Insure’ to be
small, sporty vehicles. The #1 most expensive car to insure is the Cadillac Escalade EXT
4WD. If you’re wondering why this would top the list when every other car is small,
sporty, and relatively affordable, the answer is simple: theft appeal.

The Cadillac Escalade is one of the most popular and most recognized car in its class. It
represents wealth, class, and style. Not only is this car looked favorably upon by older
generations, but also this is one of the hottest and most desired cars amongst the younger
generation. In addition, everything in an Escalade can be placed and attached into a
Suburban, making this car hot not only to all generations, but hot for thieves as well.
According to Bankrate.com, due to its desirability, Cadillac Escalade owners deal with a
comprehensive premium of six times the national average.

Least Expensive:

Fortunately, for those starting a family or thinking of starting a family, the cars
likely to have the lowest insurance costs are large sedans, mid-sized SUVs, or minivans;
namely vehicles ideal when traveling in packs.

The reason is simple; perhaps it’s because children are quite often in these vehicles, but
generally those driving family-car-like vehicles are less likely to be driving recklessly.
Additionally, one is less likely to use such vehicles as transportation to and from work,
therefore lowering the chances that it will be on the road during rush hour, a time when
the likelihood of accidents increase.

Other reasons these vehicles make the list of ‘Least Expensive Cars to Insure’ is because
many times these vehicles are kept in a private driveway or garage. Doing this lowers the
chances of theft, not to mention that these cars are deemed less desirable to thieves.

Still remember, however, that this list does not mean that the larger a vehicle is, the lower
the insurance costs will be. There are many vehicles that are so large that they cause
more damage on average to other cars when in an accident. For example, all models of
the Hummer are associated with causing higher damages in accidents, and because of
this, the auto insurance premiums tend to be more expensive.

10 Most Expensive Cars to Insure
1. Cadillac Escalade EXT 4WD
2. Subaru Impreza WRX 4WD
3. Hyundai Tiburon
4. Mitsubishi Lancer
5. Scion tC
6. Acura RSX
7. Nissan Sentra SE-R
8. Suzuki Forenza
9. Nissan Sentra/Mitsubishi Eclipse
10. Chevrolet Cobalt two-door

10 Least Expensive Cars to Insure
1. Ford Five Hundred 4WD (now the Ford Taurus)
2. Buick Rendezvous 4WD
3. Buick Lucerne/Buick Rainier 4WD/Honda Odyssey
4. Ford Freestyle 4WD/Subaru Outback 4WD
5. Buick Rendezvous/Honda Pilot
6. Chrysler Town & Country LWB
7. Honda Pilot 4WD
8. Buick LaCrosse/Chevrolet Uplander/Ford Escape/Volvo V70
9. Dodge Grand Caravan/Ford Freestyle 4WD
10. Ford Explorer 4WD/GMC Sierra 1500 4WD/Toyota Highlander/Toyota Sienna.

In addition to comfort, resale value and gas mileage, it is important to find out exactly
how much that leased or purchased car is going to cost to insure. You may be in for a
rude awakening if that “perfect” car has insurance costs that make your eyebrows jump
off your head!

For more information or to obtain an insurance quote for your next car, go to InsuranceQuotes.com.