Comparing auto insurance online can be fast and easy and at the same time you might just save a little. The most important part is getting rates from all providers in order to accurately compare every company's rates.

If you've never shopped for auto insurance online, it's easy to be confused by the hoards of online companies vying for your business. Getting lower is not rocket science. The only thing you need to do is invest a little time to get quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done by getting a quick quote here.

Which factors influence car insurance premiums?

Auto insurance rates paid to insure a 2002 can be significantly different depending on several factors. Taken into consideration are:

  • A clean driving record keeps rates low
  • Better credit means lower rates
  • Your location impacts rates
  • Annual mileage can affect rates
  • Men typically pay more than women
  • The deductible you choose
  • Your vehicle's safety rating
  • Claims drive up premiums
  • Maintaining coverage lowers rates
  • Whether you rent or own your home

A final factor that can impact is the model year. Models that are new have a higher value in comparison to later models so the cost to replace them may end up costing you more. But more recent vehicles may have a trim level with safety features including a telematics system, adaptive cruise control, and anti-lock brakes that may help help offset higher rates.

Liability coverage

This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. 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.

Coverage for collisions

This coverage will pay to fix damage to your from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverage

This 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.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

This provides protection when the "other guys" are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

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 to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible.