Letting You In On The Best Auto Insurance Secrets Buying an auto insurance policy can seem like a big headache. Although this type of insurance isn't overly complicated, it does take a certain amount of research on your part to ensure that you get quality, fair priced auto insurance coverage. This article is designed to help you on your path to finding the perfect policy for your vehicle. Many states will require that you have liability insurance, at minimum, if you own a car. Remember that the responsibility for carrying the legally-required level of insurance lies with you, not your insurance company. If you cause an accident or are the victim in an accident, you will be breaking the law if you are uninsured, as well as having to face serious financial consequences. Before you add your teenage driver to your auto insurance policy, take a look at your own credit history. If your credit is good, it's usually cheaper to add a teen to your own policy. But if you have had credit problems, it would be better not to hand that on to your child; start them off with a policy in their own name. If you're planning to, or just got married, call your insurance company for a discount. Drivers who are married tend to drive more safely, especially if they have children in the car. Insurance companies often will give you a discount once you tie the knot, due to your better driving. Anyone shopping for a great rate on auto insurance should investigate the availability of group or affiliate discounts. Employer groups, professional associations and other organizations commonly negotiate special rates for their members, which can result in significant savings. Therefore, it pays to comparison shop with these types of potential discounts in mind. It is vital that when making an automobile accident claim, that you have all the information available for the insurance company. Without it, your claim may not go through. Some things you need to have ready for them include the make and year of the car you got into an accident with, how many people were in each car, what kinds of injuries were sustained, and where and when it happened. The right insurance can save one a great amount of money if they ever get in a car crash or have any other kind of accident happen. The insured will be required to pay a predetermined deductible determined by their insurance provider. you want to buy a SUV, you should know that these vehicles are the most stolen one. This means that you should definitely get an insurance that covers the theft of your vehicle, and that this insurance is probably going to be rather expensive. Perhaps you can find something else than a SUV. Having more than one policy with an insurer can reduce your auto insurance costs. Which means you would benefit more if you get insurance for your car and your home at the same time. Although two separate insurance policies can be a better choice, you still want to make sure the deal you're getting is good, and has plenty of coverage. Keep your driving record clear of an tickets or violations. If you don't have any speeding tickets or accidents, this can make your insurance lower. It shows insurance companies you are a safe driver and that you care about your driving record. A clear driving record will make your rates lower. Know what factors affect your car insurance rates. The three key considerations in determining your car insurance rates are age, sex, and actual driving record. Higher rates are given to less-experienced drivers, and males in general. Any ticket that takes points off of your license will also result in an increase rate. Check the costs to insure cars before you relocate. Annual insurance in New York is about $2,800, as compared to the national average for 2011, of $1,446 per year. Different states and different cities will cost you more or less for auto insurance, but remember to also check the prospective state's minimum insurance requirements. Maintain a great credit rating because auto insurance companies will check. Auto insurers give better rates to customers who have high ratings. If your credit history is poor, they feel that you have not made payments on time at some point, and you are a higher risk to the insurance company. Don't buy a minimum-liability policy unless it is your only option. Minimum coverage limits mandated by state insurance boards are usually too low to protect your assets if you are found to be responsible for an automobile accident. Standard-liability policies cost only a little more but cover a much larger dollar amount per accident, giving you much better protection against lawsuits. To keep your car insurance useful and stress-free, make sure you have at least the deductible saved up in an account somewhere. It doesn't matter how great a driver you are if someone else hits you and they are uninsured. Your insurance is there to cover you, but not for the first few hundred or thousand dollars. It is important to take advantage of your auto insurance company's discounts, to ensure that you are not overpaying on your policy. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers for a variety of reasons. You may be eligible for a discount if you are over 25 years old, have no tickets or accidents, wear your seat belt, or have airbags. These are just a few of the discounts most insurance companies offer. Check with your auto insurance company to see if there are any discounts for which you may be eligible. By now, you know that vehicle insurance is more complicated than many people believe. It is necessary to be properly informed so that you can improve your car's protection. You will be able to pick a better insurance policy if you consider these suggestions.