U.S. Annual Car Insurance Premiums Averaged $1,655 Last Month

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL - November 2, 2009: In 2008, the national average cost of car insurance was $1,600. This month’s average is 3.3% higher than 2008's car insurance rates, according to CarInsurance.com’s Premium Index (CPI). CarInsurance.com includes trends and tools that assist drivers to find the best rate. Get a car insurance quote, it is the only way to compare and save on your auto insurance.

New online technologies at CarInsurance.com make it easier to shop and compare car insurance rates. Some drivers are concerned about switching companies because of loyalty or discounts, so they don’t even shop. There are big differences between insurance companies based upon each individual’s circumstances. You have to be diligent shopping on the web and over the phone to find the best rate! You should shop at each policy term renewal and after any claims or tickets. CarInsurance.com recommends that you get out your policy and compare it apples-to-apples on their website.

CarInsurance.com says their technology allows shoppers to compare car insurance rates from multiple insurance companies immediately. No other website has the CarInsurance.com technology. A few other websites allow shoppers to compare car insurance rates online. However, either these websites generally offer a single company's rate or they sell your information to others. CarInsurance.com feels they have a better solution.

CarInsurance.com introduced some new coverage selection tools to assist drivers select the best coverage when they get a quote at CarInsurance.com. We noticed last month that many drivers are selecting less coverage or lower limits to save money. Here are some simple car insurance tips to assist you:

• Liability is the most important component of auto insurance. Most state car insurance laws are designed around Liability insurance. Liability pays for damage you cause (bodily injury and property) when you are in the car. The minimum amount required is usually just the minimum you may need; make sure you purchase high enough limits to protect you and your family.
• If you have a car loan or lease and don't carry insurance or let it cancel, the lender may buy insurance for you at three to four times what you would normally pay. Make sure you purchase physical damage coverage for your car; our coverage tool automatically quotes the appropriate coverage when you indicate that you have a loan or lease on your car.
• Comprehensive and Collision are physical damage coverage that takes care of damage to your car from an accident, regardless of fault. If it is your fault, you will be responsible for a deductible (typically $50 to $1,000).
• Buy Uninsured Motorist coverage to protect yourself against uninsured or underinsured drivers.

In 2009, there has been an increase in auto insurance rates. Wisconsin changed its insurance laws this month. Both Wisconsin and New Hampshire had been the only two states that had no compulsory insurance laws. Effective June 1, 2010, auto insurance will be mandatory in Wisconsin. In addition, there are significant changes to coverage and limit requirements. You can learn more at CarInsurance.com. CPI tracks the history of insurance costs in Wisconsin and we will see how this new law affects the cost of insurance in Wisconsin. For this entire year, the average auto insurance premium for residents in Wisconsin is $1,544; the national average is $1,780. Rates will have to increase in Wisconsin, as drivers are required to purchase higher limits.

You can learn more here:

www.carinsurance.com/Premium-Index.aspx