Shopping for car insurance from online rate quotes can be fast and easy and at the same time you will probably save money. The most important part is to take the time to get as many rate quotes as possible in order to have the best prices.

If shopping for car insurance online is new to you, it's easy to be confused by the hoards of car insurance companies competing for your business. To find the best car insurance prices, there are several ways to get quotes from car insurance companies in your area. One of the best ways to compare consists of shopping online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished by comparing rates here.

Which factors influence your insurance rates?

Insurance rates for a 2004 can vary widely depending on several factors. Taken into consideration are:

  • A clean driving record keeps rates low
  • Credit rating
  • Men typically pay more than women
  • Deductible amount directly impacts your rate
  • Your vehicle's safety rating
  • Your profession
  • The amount of protection requested
  • Whether you rent or own your home

One last important factor that will help determine the rate you pay on your is the year of manufacture. Older cars and trucks have a reduced actual cash value so repair costs tend to be lower which may result in lower rates. But more recent vehicles may have options including a collision avoidance system, all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning system which can lower rates.

Liability insurance - This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. Liability coverage pays for things such as emergency aid, pain and suffering, and medical services. Coverage is generally pretty cheap so purchase higher limits if possible.

Collision coverages - Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in. 2004 collision insurance is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive protection - Comprehensive insurance pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage. 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 it's not worth carrying full coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage - This protects you and your vehicle's occupants when the "other guys" are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. 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.

Medical expense coverage - Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses for things like doctor visits, EMT expenses, and X-ray expenses. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay.