Finding cheaper car insurance through online rate quotes saves time, is easy to do, plus you might just save a little. The key to finding lower rates is getting as many rate quotes as possible in order to accurately compare every option.

Finding the best direct price on car insurance can be difficult if you are a beginner to quoting online. But don't let that discourage you because comparing prices is actually very simple. When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways to get quotes from car insurance companies in your area. The quickest method to find the cheapest is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be done by getting a quick quote here.

Premiums are calculated by...

Auto insurance rates for a 2004 can be significantly different and are calculated by many factors. Including but not limited to:

• Tickets increase premiums
• Better credit means lower rates
• The size of your community
• How many miles you drive
• Men typically pay more than women
• The deductible you choose
• Crash test rating for your 2004
• What you do for a living
• The amount of protection requested
• Home ownership saves money

A final factor which can affect is the model year. Models that are a few years old have a lower value in comparison to older models so repair costs tend to be lower which may end up costing you less. But more recent vehicles may have a trim level with safety features including lane departure warning system, a telematics system, and adaptive headlights that may help help offset higher rates.

Auto liability

This will cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property that is your fault. Liability coverage protects against claims like pain and suffering, repair costs for stationary objects, and legal defense fees. It is cheap coverage so consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Collision coverage

This will pay to fix damage to your caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company. 2004 collision insurance is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by your comprehensive insurance. The highest amount your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle's value it's not worth carrying full coverage.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the "other guys" are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for immediate expenses (i.e. EMT expenses, pain medications, and nursing services). They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible.