What affects auto insurance rates? What you end up paying for auto insurance is based on a number of factors including:

1) Your age

2) Your driving record

3) Where you live

4) The coverages and deductibles in your policy

5) The type of vehicle you drive

Insurance companies rate different vehicles by their claim histories. Depending on the make, model and year this could mean that a small economy car may cost more to insure than a big pickup truck.

One reason is that some makes and models of cars tend to be stolen more than others. Another reason could be the cost to repair, as in the case of some foreign-made economy cars. Also, rates may vary depending on the extra features and safety devices available on the vehicle.

Another thing to consider is that the cost to insure a particular type of car may vary from one part of the country than another -- especially if you live in a high-crime area.

Of course, there are a lot of factors to consider when you buy your car, but you don't want to be surprised by a high insurance bill after you've signed the paperwork. If a vehicle seems to have high insurance, you might want to take a look at different manufacturers that offer a similar model of car that interests you.

Finally, once you've found some cars that you're interested in, try to get at least three comparison car insurance quotes. This is also a great way to help you make that tough decision if you like two or more different cars; one manufacturer's model may cost less to insure than the others.