Auto Insurance Facts

The average American household spends approximately $5,000 a year on auto insurance. That figure, though now finally slowing, has in the past seemed to rise year after year, reflecting medical and legal costs, accidents, theft, fraud, drunk driving, auto repairs and even insurance company expenses. The result has not been cheap car insurance but expensive auto insurance.

Where you live also helps determine the cost of your auto insurance. (As real estate agents say, "Location, location, location!") Finding cheap auto insurance can be a real challenge near cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, Newark, Los Angeles or New York City—the most expensive cities for auto insurance. But move to Roanoke, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Green Bay, Wisconsin or Raleigh, North Carolina—the least expensive cities for auto insurance—and cheap auto insurance is easy to come by.

Getting the Best Price

With gasoline prices about 25 percent higher nationwide than a year ago, acquiring cheap auto insurance is more vital now than ever.

Cheap auto insurance is not an untold secret. In fact, almost anyone can find it…you just have to know how to go about it.

The first step is to do your research and read as much as you can on the subject of car insurance. Seek out information from your state's department of insurance, where you can find many articles and press releases. Go to your area library and look up books and magazine articles on auto insurance. Check out insurers online with companies like A.M. Best and Weiss Ratings Inc. There you can find out how insurance companies score on issues such as customer satisfaction and price.

The next step in finding cheap car insurance is to comparison shop.

Use companies like InsureMe & BamAutoInsurance.com to seek out comparative quotes. Talk to local insurance agents to find out what kind of coverage you need, what they have to offer and how competitive they are for your business. Talk to friends and family members to see who they use for cheap auto insurance and how satisfied they have been with their insurers.

Finally, consider the information you have gathered and make the most informed decision possible.

Consider not only price but also elements like customer service and satisfaction. These factors can go a long way when you need to file a claim or report an accident.

Determining Your Premium

Pricing amongst auto insurance companies varies greatly. Although cheap auto insurance can be acquired, premiums are generally based upon certain set factors and characteristics. Some of these include:

Age, gender and marital status
Auto type
Where you drive, how you drive, use of your vehicle
Driving record
Household driving information
Coverage limits
Credit history

More expensive insurance often accompanies more expensive vehicles, or those which cost more to repair. So before you buy a new automotive, be sure to consult with your car insurance company to find out if you can get cheap auto insurance.

Cutting back on the number of miles you drive annually can go a long way toward keeping your car insurance premium low. If your household consists of two vehicles or more, consider putting the majority of miles on the least expensive automotive. This will help maintain cheap car insurance while keeping the other vehicle's depreciation at a minimum.

The driving records of all drivers in your household are used to set your car insurance premium. If you have very young or elderly drivers living with you who have acquired numerous tickets or accidents, their driving reputations may mean you cannot get cheap auto insurance.

Your credit history can be used for two purposes: to determine whether an insurance company will insure you, and to set your premium level. Some states no longer allow car insurance companies to use this information in determining your eligibility for cheap auto insurance, but the majority does. Keep your credit score as high as possible by paying bills on time and keeping credit and debt to a minimum to ensure the best car insurance prices possible.

Ready to start saving on your auto insurance?

InsureMe 7 BamAutoInsurance.com makes finding cheap auto insurance easy. With one simple application, up to five car insurers will compete for your business.

Just fill out our "Get a free quote" box, find the coverage you need at the price you deserve, and start saving on your auto insurance today!