You can get low car insurance rates if you put in a little time and effort. It's not always easy, but here are a few tips to help you save money and find cheap auto insurance.

1. Drive safely. Car insurance companies take into account your past driving record. Try to maintain a good driving history. This will help keep your car insurance low.

2. Shop around. It is important to get quotes from at least 3 different companies, maybe even a few more if possible. Call several different companies, or investigate the many sources to get an online auto insurance quote. (Try Netquote.com.) One other place to check is your state insurance department, which may be able to provide a list of insurance companies in your state. In some states that are particularly difficut or high price, (for example, finding New Jersey car insurance, California or New York car insurance) it is especially important to get more than one quote to find low cost car insurance. And be sure to look at more than just the price. Make sure the quotes are for comparable insurance coverage. The best choice may not always be absolute lowest car insurance quote you receive. Check the reputation and financial health of the company. Friends can be another good source of recommendations.

3. Compare automobile insurance quotes before purchasing a new car. You will find that insurance cost is based on many factors. For example, the price you pay for insurance will depend on the type and price of your car. New cars, sports cars, luxury cars, and vehicles with higher theft rates or costly repairs are among the categories that will be more expensive to insure. Certain options, like anti-theft devices, airbags and anti-lock brakes, may reduce your insurance costs because of discounts.

As an option, consider keeping your older car. Do you really need a new car? It is much more expensive to insure a new car than to insure an older one. Make sure you add in the additional insurance costs when considering the cost of that new car.

4. Take higher deductibles. Having a policy with higher deductibles can save you a lot in premiums. (The deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance company will pay anything on your claim.) If you take a higher deductible, make sure you can afford to pay it in case of an accident or other claim.

5. Lower insurance coverage on your older car. As your car ages, it is worth much less than when it was new. Look up the Kelley's Blue Book value of your car. That is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay if the car is "totaled." You should review the collision and comprehensive coverages of your policy each year as your car gets older and decide whether it makes sense to continue paying for that coverage.

6. Eliminate duplicate coverage. You may have some overlap in what your insurance policies cover; most commonly, in medical insurance coverage. Review what is covered by all your different insurance policies (health, home, car and umbrella/liability) to make sure you are not paying twice for the same coverage.

7. Combine your policies. Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you purchase both your homeowners and automobile insurance coverage from them. There may also be a discount for insuring multiple cars with the same company. As recommended before, ask about these possible discounts, and shop around to find the best deals.

8. Know your credit score. Believe it or not, auto insurance companies often use your credit record to determine car insurance rates! Make sure that you establish a good credit history, and check to make sure that your credit report is accurate.

9. Group insurance. Many employers, business and professional associations, alumni groups and other organizations offer group insurance rates at lower costs to their members. Check this possibility with your employer and any groups or clubs you belong to.

10. Ask for discounts. There are many kinds of discounts offered by insurance companies. For example, low mileage drivers, car-poolers, safe driving history, long-time policy holder, good students, completing a defensive driving course, safety and anti-theft equipment on the car, all could reduce your insurance premium. Be sure to ask what is available.