Car insurance is a major expense for many households, but it’s important to have. A good car insurance policy is essential when trying to get back on the road after an accident. So what should you look for when shopping for car insurance? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Look around on the web for the best deal in auto insurance. Most companies now offer a quote system online so that you don’t have to spend valuable time on the phone or in an office, just to find out how much money it will cost you. Get a few new quotes each year to make sure you are getting the best possible price.

If you are a young driver looking to purchase an auto insurance policy but do not want to pay an arm and a leg, a great step you can take is to get an older driver to share the insurance with you. Much like having someone with good credit co-sign a loan with you, having an older, experienced driver on your insurance will bring your payments down.

Check out your state’s minimum insurance guidelines, and follow them. Some states only require you to have liability coverage, but others require personal injury as well. Make sure you know your state’s practices so that you do not fail to meet them, and end up with a ticket for not having enough coverage.

Utilize public transportation or ride to the office with co-workers. Insurers love when their clients are responsible and they can reward them by lowering their mileage. If you tell your agent that you have been riding the bus or carpooling, chances are they can find a discount to reduce your premium.

A few years ago, it might have been wise to drop medical payments from your automobile insurance policy when it was common to be able to expect your health insurance policy to cover almost all of your accident-related medical costs. Now, with health coverage becoming more restrictive, it’s worth doing the math to see if it’s worth getting the extra medical payments coverage reinstated to your auto insurance plan.

If your child receives their driver’s license and you need to get insurance, make sure to ask if your insurer offers a good student discount. Your child will be motivated to keep his grades up in order to keep driving, and you will save money on your monthly premium fee.

When you report your annual driving mileage to your insurance company, resist the temptation to nudge your figure down. Lower mileage translates to lower premiums, and mileage seems to be something insurers cannot verify. But they can verify it: Insurers will use service reports to check your mileage when you submit a claim. This is the worst possible time to be in dispute with your insurer; avoid the possibility by reporting mileage honestly.

If your car is insured with multiple drivers and one of them stops using the car, notify your insurance company immediately. It is the honest thing to do. More importantly, it can reduce your premiums significantly in many cases. Young drivers, old drivers, and drivers with bad records all boost your premium. Get them removed from your policy as soon as you can.

Join an appropriate car owners’ club if you are looking for cheaper insurance on a high-value auto. Drivers with exotic, rare or antique cars know how painfully expensive they can be to insure. If you join a club for enthusiasts in the same situation, you may gain access to group insurance offers that give you significant discounts.

When purchasing car insurance, there are many factors you need to consider. Preparing yourself beforehand will make sure you find a policy that’s right for you. Take the time to read through the advice in this article before making any decisions regarding your policy. The advice offered may very well come in handy.