You have many choices when shopping for insurance coverage for your vehicle. You can either contact a local agent or go online to compare insurance costs of car insurance companies. Buying car insurance from online rate quotes can be fast and easy, in addition you might just save a little.

If you're new to shopping for car insurance online, you may be confused by the hoards of companies vying for your business. When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways to compare quotes from car insurance companies in your area. The best method to find the cheapest is to get quotes online. This is very easy and can be done by getting a quick quote here.

Criteria which help determine insurance rates

Auto insurance rates on a 1998 will vary greatly depending on several factors. A few of these criteria are:

• Higher performance 1998 vehicles cost more
• Your accident history
• Multiple policies can save money
• Pleasure use vs. commuting use
• Optional coverages like vehicle replacement
• What you do for a living
• The amount of protection requested
• Owning a home can lower rates

A final factor that helps determine is the model year. Older models have a much lower replacement value in comparison to older models so the cost to replace them may result in lower rates. But newer models may have a trim level with safety features including a collision avoidance system, forward-collision avoidance, and active head restraints so those may help offset higher rates.

Liability insurance - This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in an accident. Liability insurance covers claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and emergency aid. Coverage is generally pretty cheap so consider buying as much as you can afford.

Collision coverage - Collision insurance pays for damage to your resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. Collision coverage for your 1998 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 save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive protection - This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by your comprehensive insurance. The maximum 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 consider dropping full coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage - This coverage provides protection when the "other guys" do not carry enough liability coverage. Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important.

Medical expense coverage - Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills (i.e. ambulance fees, surgery, and doctor visits). They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and may carry a deductible.