It is no secret that car insurance can be pretty expensive, and in this day and age of a tough economy and recession, the cost of car insurance can be a painful one for many Americans. Fortunately for you, the insurance industry is feeling the economical pinch just as much as you are, and they will do whatever it takes to earn your business. This means, if you want lower car insurance, insurance companies today are willing to work with you to do so, otherwise they know full well, you might just go to someone else that can give you a better deal. Do you know how to get lower car insurance? Here are some valuable tips.

The key to getting lower car insurance is to understand how the insurance companies calculate your quotes. There are a number of factors that come into play, and each insurance companies weighs these factors differently. For some companies, your driving record or credit score may play a huge role in your car insurance. For others, the kind of vehicle that you drive or the city that you live in may play a more significant part. Because each insurance company is different, your best bet to lower car insurance is to minimize your risk on as many of these factors, and presenting yourself as an ideal customer to the insurance company. If you have a poor driving record or drive a fancy car that is costly to repair, you may be viewed as a higher risk to insurance companies and this will be reflected in your quotes.

Your driving record will play a large role in your insurance quotes, no matter what company you work with. If you have a long history of tickets, infractions, or even charges, then you will see a hike in your rates. The good news with this factor is that your driving record does not affect your insurance rates permanently, within two to three years (depending on your state) driving infractions are removed from your record for insurance purposes, and you can start with a clean slate. Improving your record with driving classes or driver's education will be useful to you and are tools appreciated by insurance companies, and this may lead to lower rates.

Next item that will be of most significance across insurance companies will be the kind of car that you drive. What insurance companies are looking for here is that you have a car that will be easy and affordable to replace and/or repair. The rate that you are given for car insurance is partially determined by a national banding system that rates your car according to engine size, speed, weight, and things of that nature. Thus, if you are looking to lower your car insurance quotes, driving a reliable and practical smaller sized car will go a long way towards saving money on car insurance.

When it comes to insurance, insurance companies are providing policies that protect both you and your vehicle against loss, and this is why your record and the kind of car you drive are critical factors, no matter where you go to get car insurance quotes. If lower car insurance quotes are a priority to you and your family budget, driving practical vehicles and maintaining a good driving record will be critical factors in determining the cost of your car insurance.