Today's California car insurance market offers many options. There are so many companies to choose from, picking one might seem overwhelming. Especially considering that you have to weigh so many factors including: the minimum coverage required by law, the cost of coverage, and the terms of coverage offered to you.

So, how to find the right car insurance? Begin by checking with the state's department of insurance - most have websites - to determine what coverage requirements exist, and to check out various insurers' consumer complaint ratios (CCR). The lower the CCR, the better the insurer is at handling claims. Once you have quotes, match the insurers with the best prices to their CCRs; insurers that have both cheap auto insurance and a low CCR are worth a second look.

Next, contact local body shops. Body shops work with insurance companies and insurance adjusters on a regular basis and have intimate knowledge regarding company policies. They can tell you which companies are easy to work with, which ones have streamlined paperwork, and which ones are pushing the body shops to use aftermarket parts in order to cut costs. Knowing this will help you find a company with both low rates and good customer service.

National ratings might also help you decide on which car insurance company to use. These rating will be especially useful when researching small or newer insurance companies, since they will tell you important information such as financial stability and customer satisfaction.

Depending on your needs, you may want to consider purchasing your car insurance through an agent. Some agents are independent or insurance brokers. They sell insurance for many different companies. There are also captive agents, who only work with one insurer. The benefit with working through an agent is that he/she may be able to get you a deal or a package that isn't available online. The main drawback, however, is that agents are only available during their regular business hours, which might not fit your schedule.

Finally, when shopping around for insurance companies, know in advance your coverage needs. How many miles a year do you drive? Do you have a lot of accidents or tickets? If so, add comprehensive and collision coverage to your plan. How old is your vehicle? If it's a classic car that doesn't get driven much but might get stolen, consider adding comprehensive coverage but not collision.

Finally, get quotes from various insurance companies either through an agent or from online sources. Shop around in order to find the best deal. When comparing insurers look at: price, coverage, and customer service ratings. The cheapest policy may end up being the worst deal.

Once you've done your research and gotten informal quotes, you will want to get written quotes from the companies that appear to be the best for you. Read these quotes carefully, paying special attention to the fine print. Be sure you understand everything that the quoted policy is saying. Also, make sure any promised discounts or deals are included in this written quote. Look out for policies that require use of aftermarket parts for covered repairs and/or binding arbitration. If you follow these tips, you should be able to confidently purchase a car insurance policy that best fits your needs.