Used Or New Car Shopping? Think About Car Insurance Costs

If you're looking for a new or used car, you want to keep in mind car insurance costs. Certain vehicles cost more to insure than others, and if you're not prepared for that you could be in for a surprise. It's always a good idea to check car insurance rates before you buy. Here are some things to consider.

The type of car you drive is just one of the factors in how much you pay for car insurance. But it can be a big one. Other factors that affect the costs of insurance include your age, your driving record, the city you live in, coverages, deductibles and discounts.

Insurance companies rate vehicles as a lower or higher risk to insure based on claim histories. For example, it may cost more to repair certain foreign vehicles than others. Or, some cars are stolen more often than others. This can vary from city to city. What you want to do is get some quick insurance quotes on the car or cars you're considering buying.

One of the best ways to do this is to go online. You can get quick comparison quotes from different companies by visiting each company Web site, or by going to a comparison site. You want to get at least three different quotes because rates can vary from company to company.

A comparison site allows you to enter your information once and get several quotes back. If you visit each company's site, just make sure to enter the same information (coverages, deductibles) to get the most accurate comparison.

If you already have an insurance agent or company, give them a call and get a quote. You can use that as well to compare car insurance costs from other companies. Since you're already a customer, they may also offer some advice on discounts and relative insurance costs for other cars.

Insurance is just one of the things you should consider when evaluating your new or used car purchase, but it could help you make a decision between different vehicles that you like.

You can get free comparison car insurance quotes, and more information about saving on car insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. The site includes a handy sheet you can use to help compare quotes. Justin Scott is an insurance freelance writer.