Without a doubt the best way to find low cost car insurance in California is to compare prices. Although the process of contacting several agents to get quotes may seem a bit tedious and time consuming it can result in a substantial savings. The most important thing to note when you are ready to undertake this low rate finding mission is what coverage do you absolutely need and what coverage is optional.

If you drive an older vehicle you may want to purchase only the minimum amount of liability insurance required by law in the state. This amounts to $15,000 for the medical expenses of one injured person, $30,000 for the medical expenses of two or more injured people and then an additional $5,000 which would be used to cover the vehicle of the person you hit. Obviously this coverage isn't going to be enough if you happen to hit a late model mini van and injure an entire family.

A better approach is to compare low cost insurance rates for a policy that provides enough coverage that should you cause a collision, you won't be facing bankruptcy. If you have a newer car, you'll also want to ask about collision and comprehensive coverage. These protect you in the event that your own vehicle is damaged and needs repair or replacement.

You'll need to divulge any prior accidents you've been responsible for as well as how many speeding tickets you've accumulated while driving. The agents will also ask questions pertaining to your age, the average number of miles you travel each week or month as well as the type of car you want to insure.

Ask each agent you contact about the length of the policy they are quoting you on as well as what payment arrangements they prefer. This will help you to determine which company has the lowest rates per six month period or perhaps even per year.

Unfortunately for many people living in California, automobile insurance is one expense they simply can't afford. For some of these people, the alternative to not driving at all is to drive without insurance. This is never advised and many people who fall into this category are actually eligible for coverage under California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program. The determining factors regarding who does and doesn't qualify include the age of the car as well as the income of everyone residing within the home.

For people who aren't eligible for this coverage they need to find suitable insurance that isn't too expensive. Finding the best rates on automobile insurance in California primarily involves being prepared when you go shopping for quotes.

Even though insurance agents quote a price when asked, motorists should be aware that this is rarely the lowest price they can get. The reason is that most insurance companies offering automobile coverage in the state of California have discount programs in place. This means that if the driver qualifies for the discount, their quoted price will be reduced.

A few examples of possible discounts include:

? Low mileage discount.

? Air bag and anti-lock brakes discount.

? Safety discount which generally is offered when a vehicle either has a security system installed or is parked in a garage.

? Multi-policy discount. This is offered to individuals who choose one insurance company for more than one type of coverage. For instance, taking out policies for both health and automobile insurance from one insurer.

? Retirement discount. When an individual retires it tends to mean less time commuting each day. Many insurance companies offer a retirement discount. In addition, mature drivers can also enjoy a discount if they take a defensive driving course once they reach the age of retirement.

Asking several different insurance agents for quotes will likely yield different prices. This makes it easier for the driver to ensure they are getting the best coverage for their dollar, as they can choose the company they feel offers the best rates for the most coverage.