Shopping for auto insurance through online companies is easy, in addition you will probably save money. The key is to take the time to get rates from as many companies as possible in order to have the cheapest rate quotes.

Consumers not familiar with comparing rates may think purchasing cut-rate 2009 insurance is difficult. Finding lower is not a difficult process. You just have to spend a little time comparing rates from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done by comparing rates here.

Criteria which help determine your insurance rates

Insurance rates for your 2009 can vary widely based upon several criteria. A few of these criteria are:

• Your driving record
• Credit rating
• Male rates may be higher
• Deductible amount directly impacts your rate
• NTSB crash rating for your vehicle
• No claims lowers premiums
• Maintaining coverage lowers rates
• Owning a home can lower rates

One last important factor that will help determine the rate you pay on your is the year of manufacture. Newer models have a higher replacement value so repair costs are higher which can inflate annual premiums. But newer vehicles may have options including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning system which can lower rates.

Coverage for liability - Liability insurance can cover injuries or damage you cause to other's property or people by causing an accident. Liability coverage pays for claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and emergency aid. Liability insurance is relatively cheap so purchase higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage - Collision coverage covers damage to your resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) - Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if it's not worth much more than your deductible it's probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage - This coverage protects you and your vehicle's occupants when the "other guys" either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn't take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.

Insurance for medical payments - Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills for things like ambulance fees, surgery, and doctor visits. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay.