What are the best ways to keep your car insurance rates low

Once you have mastered the mysteries of the points system worked by car insurance companies to fix the premiums, the next part of the game is to get the best out of the system. The following tips should help. 1. Always shop around
The more you know, the better your chance of getting a good deal. Your work starts with this site. Use the search engine to get quotes for different policies depending on different makes and models of car, the various levels of deductible, and so on. The two words you need are, "compare" and "contrast". As you get more quotes, you will see that the premiums can vary, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. Study the differences and learn which combinations get the best offers. 2. Be prepared to talk to the insurance companies
It's so tempting to read through the online quotes and make a decision without anything more. Yet, often, the choices you can make have been limited by the questionnaire. If you talk to an agent (ignoring all the hard sell techniques), you can often find out new ways to earn an extra discount. 3. Make sure you qualify for all the discounts
A little research will tell you how to earn those extra savings. It comes down to having the right car with the right safety features, being in the right mileage class, living in a good neighborhood and having a perfect driving record. Except there are always more factors that can save you a few more dollars. 4. Do the math
Never take on a commitment you cannot keep. Not only will you commit an offense in most states if you drive with an invalid car insurance policy, but your credit record will be damaged if you default on premium instalments. Even more importantly, assume the worst. Can you still keep up payments if you lose your job or, with a higher deductible, you then get into two accidents in as many months? Always work out what you can and cannot afford. Equally, do not take on more insurance than you need. Those hard-selling agents will try to get you signed up to every last policy option. Only buy what makes sense. 5. Check out the insurance companies
Instead of looking at the big names, be flexible and consider the smaller, local companies, particularly if they offer specialized cover for people "just like you". Some companies are going "online only". Without the additional costs of running store fronts, they are able to offer lower premiums. Finally, check out the sites run by your state's insurance department or commissioner. The best sites publish the results of the complaints made against the insurance companies. Always prefer policies from companies that have good records in handling claims. It can be worth paying a few extra dollars to be with a company that listens to you.