How do you know not to touch a hot stove? Either you touched one once and learned your lesson or you listened to your parents when they shouted it at you.

Or you go around touching hot stoves.

The point it, the best way to learn is from others' mistakes. The same thing is true when shopping for auto insurance.

Hundreds of thousands of people make these errors and pay for them with every premium check. If you want to get a get deal on car insurance, here's what not to do:

Low Deductibles

It seems smart to let your insurer cover you for any damage over $100, until you realize that your premiums will be up there with Everest.

Want to bring those premiums down to about, say, the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Then you've got to pay the highest deductible that you can reasonably afford.

WARNING: Make sure you actually have the deductible money. It does you know good if the money isn't there for you.

TIP: Set the amount of the deductible aside in a bank account. Don't touch it until you need it.

Assuming Equality among Car Insurance Providers

These companies are not the same. Lots of people go with less than credible insurers because they offer really low rates. Later, when they have to file a claim, they end up getting denied through some kind of loophole.

TIP: To avoid getting stuck with a bad provider, spend some time researching each major provider in your area. Read consumer reviews and make a list of acceptable insurers.

Using Different Providers

If your boat, house, and car are all insured by different companies, you are missing out on a really good deal. Going with the same provider for everything will save you a lot of money.

A lot of times, insurance coverages overlap - especially auto insurance medical coverage and health insurance. You're double paying!!! Using the same insurer makes it easier to eliminate redundant coverage and pay more efficiently. There are also less hidden costs.

Most people who combine policies save thousands of dollars every year.

Call each of your providers and see what they will charge for everything together. Go with the best deal.

Buying the Wrong Car

When you pay for the cheaper car, sometimes you are actually choosing to pay the difference in auto insurance.

Some cars are more expensive because they are "luxury" vehicles, and that doesn't mean much. Usually, you have to pay more for insurance on luxury vehicles because they are more to replace, especially if you want theft coverage.

To get the right car for low insurance, get one that is inexpensive but has a great safety rating. Subaru and Kia are good bets.

Just make sure you don't skimp on the upfront cost to pay more for an inferior vehicle in the long run.

Not Using Auto Insurance Quotes

A lot of people just settle for the first offer, figuring that it's all pretty similar and not worth their time.

You are basically throwing away thousands of dollars.

Auto Insurance Quotes online are free, instant, and easy. Don't buy a car without comparing Auto Insurance Quotes.