Buying car insurance by comparing rates online can be fast and easy and at the same time you can save money. The most important part is to take the time to get rates from all providers in order to have the lowest prices.

If you're new to shopping for car insurance online, it's easy to be confused by the hoards of online companies offering insurance. There are several ways to compare rate quotes from local car insurance companies. The easiest way to compare is to get quotes online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished by comparing rates here.

Which factors influence your insurance rates?

Car insurance premiums paid to insure a 2001 can vary widely depending on several factors. Taken into consideration are:

• A clean driving record keeps rates low
• Credit rating
• Male drivers pay higher rates
• Deductible amount directly impacts your rate
• Your vehicle's safety rating
• Your occupation
• Your coverage level
• Whether you rent or own your home

An additional factor that helps determine is the year of the vehicle. Older models have a reduced actual cash value than newer models so the costs to repair may result in lower rates. On the flip side, new models may have safety features like automatic crash notification, sideview assist mirrors, blind-spot warning system, and all-wheel drive which can lower rates.

Auto liability insurance - This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property in an accident. Liability coverage pays for things such as emergency aid, pain and suffering, and medical services. Coverage is generally pretty cheap so you should buy higher limits if possible.

Collision - Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper .

Comprehensive insurance - This pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it's not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

UM/UIM Coverage - This protects you and your vehicle's occupants when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn't take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That's why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses such as doctor visits, EMT expenses, and X-ray expenses. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay.