You have lots of choices when shopping for insurance coverage for your vehicle. You can either buy through a local agent or go online to compare insurance costs of car insurance companies. Shopping for car insurance from online rate quotes can be fast and easy and at the same time you might just save a little.

If shopping for car insurance online is new to you, it's easy to be confused by the hoards of companies vying for your business. When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways to get quotes from different insurance companies. The best method to find the cheapest consists of shopping online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished by getting a quick quote here.

Which factors influence car insurance premiums?

Auto insurance rates on a 2004 can be significantly different depending on several factors. Taken into consideration are:

• Higher performance 2004 vehicles cost more
• How many accidents you have had
• Whether you insure your home with the same company
• Pleasure use vs. commuting use
• Special coverage such as replacement cost
• What you do for a living
• The level of coverage
• Whether you rent or own your home

A final factor that will help determine is the model year. Older cars and trucks have a reduced actual cash value in comparison to older models so the cost to replace them may result in lower rates. Conversely, more recent vehicles may have a trim level with safety features such as a collision avoidance system, forward-collision avoidance, and active head restraints that may help help offset higher rates.

Liability insurance - This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. Liability coverage protects against things such as emergency aid, pain and suffering, and medical services. Coverage is generally pretty cheap so consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Collision coverage - Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your resulting from a collision with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. Collision coverage for your 2004 can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive protection - This coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by your comprehensive insurance. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle's value it's not worth carrying full coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage - This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Medical expense coverage - Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses (i.e. doctor visits, EMT expenses, and X-ray expenses). They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible.