How do you find the best auto insurance rates?

Fortunately, the average cost of auto insurance has dropped in the last few years. Still, you don't want to pay more than you have to or end up with a company that's unreliable or slow to pay claims.

You CAN find a great rate with a great company - you just have to know where to look.

Getting the Best Rates

Auto insurance prices can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to another, even for the same coverage. Consequently, you must take the time to do some comparison shopping and review quotes before you select a policy.

The fastest and easiest way to do your comparison shopping is to go to an insurance comparison website. Such a website will give you quick access to competitive rate quotes from multiple A-rated companies.

All you have to do is fill out a simple online form and the quotes will come to you!

Choosing the Best Company

Once you have your quotes, how do you review them and select the best company?

First of all, you can rest assured that quotes from the top insurance comparison sites are from reliable companies. Comparison websites only offer quotes from A-rated companies.

But if you want additional information about each company, here are some steps you can take:

* Go to your state's Department of Insurance website to check each company's complaint record.

* Go to the websites of rating companies such as J.D. Power and Associates at JDPower.com, or A.M.,Best at AMBest.com, to check each company's customer service rating and their financial stability.

* Go to each company's personal website and evaluate their customer service policies. Is there a toll-free number you can call if you have questions about your policy? Do they offer payment plans and online payment options? What are the penalties for late payments?

These steps will help you easily select the best insurance company with the best rate.