The good news is there are hundreds of car insurance companies to choose from; you can get dozens of offers, compare insurance company ratings, and find out which insurance company can get you the best rate. The bad news is, many auto insurance companies don't disclose their application process in detail, and may be ranking and rating you to raise your auto insurance quote.

Knowing which auto insurance companies can get you the best deal involves research, exploring car insurance news, and knowing when to shop around. Here are just five things your car insurance company doesn't want you to know:

1. The model of your car affects your insurance rate. Few auto insurance companies won't tell you exactly how they calculate their car insurance quote and rates, and most rely on a grading and ranking scale for different makes and models. This largely depends on the safety and reliability of your car; if a car is at risk for theft or has a low safety record, your car insurance quote is likely to be much higher than average. The best way to avoid overpaying for car insurance with this in mind is to ask about the range for your vehicle. If you're in the market to purchase a car, you can also find out which cars are considered to be the most expensive in your area.

2. They can cancel your auto insurance during the ?binding period.? The first 30-60 days with your car insurance company is a special time where they will review your account and watch for any claims you file. This is a critical time where the auto insurance company can cancel your policy for almost any reason. State laws vary on how long this binding period is, and each insurance company works under different guidelines on regulations on what is acceptable during this period ? and what isn't.

3. You won't always get the whole amount if your car is totaled. The collision policy on your car insurance can very considerably depending on auto insurance provider, and not all companies will cover the total value of your car. Some insurance companies only offer complete reimbursement for specific cars ? knowing if your car qualifies beforehand is an important item to consider when you're trying to make the right choice.

4. They only work with select body shops. Many auto insurance companies work with only a few body repair shops, and you'll be required to visit these shops if you want reimbursement. If you go to an ?out of network? body shop, there's a good chance you'll have to pay for most of the repairs yourself. It's a good idea to make sure the body shop you prefer, or one that's in your area, is covered by your car insurance provider.

5. Your credit report has a lot of weight in calculating your car insurance quote. Few people realize that their credit rating has an influence on their premium and final auto insurance quote. Making sure your credit report is clean and clear of errors is important when applying for car insurance, so you may need to contact the credit bureau to check for errors before submitting your application