While it may seem a bit simplistic, the easiest and most important way to ensure that one is getting best deal possible on car insurance is to comparison shop before making the policy purchase. Some people simply renew their insurance every six months without shopping around to see if a better deal is possible. Some simply call the first insurer for which they see an advertisement. Careful research of the available options really can help to find a cheaper car insurance quote.

Once you get the cheapest rate, you should also make sure it's from a legitimate source, too. If you can't get reliable references from friends, family members or co-workers, check the Internet for reviews and experiences, and contact your local business bureau to ensure that you're dealing with a reputable outfit.

Another way to obtain more cost-effective car insurance is to be organized from the start. Before searching for quotes, put all of your driving information (the make, model, and year of your car; your address; a brief summary of the accidents or tickets you've had in the past 10 years; and any special safety features that your car has on it) down in an easy-to-read format, and have it with you while researching or speaking with insurance agents.

Remember, even if you have all this information memorized, you should write it down in a tidy list, anyway. That way you won't accidentally give out different data to different vendors to use in quoting. Reading this information from a short list is the best way to give the information out consistently. A vendor who gets the same information as another will be able to make a comparable quote, but if the information is different, your quotes can't be compared fairly.

Don't forget that insurers sometimes offer special deals if you're able to do without certain things; for example, eliminating weekend driving may reduce your policy price substantially, since many accidents happen on Saturday and Sunday. Thus, you should remember to inquire about such programs while speaking with each agent.

In the same vein, you can save money by eliminating optional coverage you don't need. For example, if you belong to any roadside assistance club, you can safely strike out optional towing coverage. Removing that coverage will remove the associated costs from your total. You might also consider striking out collision damage coverage, and/or glass breakage coverage, depending on the costs of those options and the age and condition of your vehicle. If the cost of repairing or replacing your car is lower than the repair insurance plus deductible, you're better off driving without the coverage.

It is also vitally important to get a written quote from each agent with whom you're considering doing business. While telephone research is fine at the initial stage, you don't want to pick your policy based on a cheap car insurance quote, only to have the price suddenly skyrocket when it comes time to actually buy. The fine print of each quote should be studied carefully, as well - terms and conditions that seemed unimportant before you bought the policy may turn out to be critical once you're actually in need of coverage.

These tips will assist you in obtaining a better and more cost-effective car insurance quote. During this rough economic period, saving on your car insurance can help substantially when it comes to being able to afford the essentials of life. And, if you save enough on your auto insurance policy, you might even be able to afford the gasoline to actually drive your car!