You have many choices when attempting to insure your vehicle. You can either buy through an insurance agent or go online to compare insurance costs of many different companies. Finding cheaper car insurance from online companies can be fast and easy, in addition you may find lower rates.

If you are a novice to online car insurance shopping, you may be confused by the hoards of online car insurance companies and websites selling insurance. The are a couple different ways to get quotes from local car insurance companies. The fastest way to find the cheapest is to perform an online rate comparison. This is very easy and can be done by getting a quick quote here.

Criteria which help determine your insurance rates

Insurance premiums for your 2009 can be significantly different depending on several factors. A few of these criteria are:

• Higher performance 2009 vehicles cost more
• How many accidents you have had
• Home/auto policy bundles save money
• Pleasure, commuting or business use can affect rates
• Optional coverages like vehicle replacement
• Your job
• Your coverage level
• Owning a home can lower rates

One important consideration which can affect your rates is the age of the vehicle. Models that are a few years old have a much lower replacement value compared to new models so the payout to repair may result in lower rates. On the flip side, more recent vehicles have more advanced features like an advanced theft deterrent system, all-wheel drive, and traction control that may help help offset higher rates.

Liability coverage

This coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other's property or people that is your fault. Liability coverage protects against claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and emergency aid. Coverage is generally pretty cheap so buy as large an amount as possible.

Auto collision coverage

This will pay to fix damage to your resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to get cheaper .

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time 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.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That's why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills like ambulance fees, surgery, and doctor visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible.