Buying car insurance can be very expensive. Most people are aware that factors such as your age, where you live, your driving record and your credit history influence how much you pay for car insurance every month. But there is one more factor that greatly influences how much you pay for your auto insurance premium every month that most people overlook. What is it? The type of car you drive.

A beat-up, old Toyota Camry with 200,000 miles on it is not a brand new red Corvette. Car insurers know that, and they charge accordingly. In general, sports cars are the most expensive cars to insure. Why is that? Well, they're fast! Sports cars are more likely to get into accidents as owners use their high-performance engines to drive at high speeds. Another reason why sports cars are expensive to insure is because they are stolen more often than other cars. And the more mileage you put on your sports car every year, the more likely you are to get into an accident or have the car stolen, which equals the higher amount you end up paying in car insurance.

Many internet sources will tell you which cars are more likely to be stolen. If you want a car that will get low car insurance rates, do some internet research and find out which cars are commonly stolen, and avoid buying those cars.

Car safety features are another factor that can raise or lower your insurance premiums. A car with no anti-lock breaks, airbags or without a locking steering wheel will get a higher insurance rate than a car loaded with safety features. If you can, choose a car with as many safety features as possible: airbags in every seat, antilock breaks, a car alarm, a locking steering wheel, daytime running lights and any other option you can afford. Find out if a car has high crash test ratings. Not only will you and your family be safer, you'll have more spending money as well!

The best time to start thinking about how your car will affect your insurance premium is before you even buy it. Use logic, common sense, and don't be afraid to ask. Quote-generating internet sites can help you see how much you would have to pay to insure a particular car before you buy it. Consider it a part of the total cost of the car.

Here are some general principles to follow which will help you choose a car that will get the lowest insurance rates. Once again, choose more safety options if you can. Choose a less flashy car. A minivan will get better rates than an SUV. Choose a "low profile" car that won't attract attention. Choose a car that isn't expensive to repair. The more expensive repairs are, the more you will have to pay for auto insurance.

In a word, choosing a car that won't cost a fortune to insure is about prudence. You may drool over that yellow Mustang, but a dark-colored minivan will save you a lot of money. The choice is yours.