Shopping for car insurance by comparing rates online is easy and at the same time you may find lower rates. The key is to take the time to get as many rate quotes as possible in order to have the cheapest rate quotes.

Consumers not familiar with comparison shopping may think purchasing cheap 2014 insurance is going to be difficult. The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from different insurance companies. The recommended way to compare consists of shopping online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished by comparing rates here.

What factors impact your insurance rates?

Insurance premiums for a 2014 can vary widely based upon several criteria. Taken into consideration are:

• Your driving record
• Credit rating
• Male rates may be higher
• Deductible amount directly impacts your rate
• Your vehicle's safety rating
• Your job
• The level of coverage
• Whether you rent or own your home

One important consideration that will help determine your rates is the age of the vehicle. Older cars and trucks have a reduced actual cash value compared to new models so repair costs tend to be lower which will push premiums down. Conversely, newer vehicles have more advanced features such as a backup camera, an advanced theft deterrent system, dual-stage airbags, and pedestrian detection which can lower rates.

Auto liability insurance - Liability insurance can 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. Liability insurance is relatively cheap so buy higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage - Collision coverage covers damage to your caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder. 2014 collision insurance is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive insurance - Comprehensive insurance pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it's not worth much more than your deductible it's probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage - This protects you and your vehicle's occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. 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. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for expenses like doctor visits, EMT expenses, and X-ray expenses. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay.