Getting a decent car insurance quote these days is like pulling teeth. It's required to have a vehicle in most states, yet getting the right coverage to suit your needs is really hard to do. Luckily, there are some pretty nifty ways you can avoid overpaying for car insurance and still get the coverage you need. Here are some handy ways to make sure you don't get overcharged from insurance companies. 

Know Where You Live Before Buying A Car

If you live in a high-crime area where lots of vehicles are stolen, it might be a good idea to shy away from that sports car you've been eyeing. Insurance companies will often give you a higher premium if your car is an often-stolen car, as well as if you live in a place where theft is common. A company will also take your daily commute into consideration as well, often adjusting your rates based on how long you spend in the car every day. So, if your drive to work is rather lengthy, you might want to consider purchasing a cheaper vehicle specifically for this reason, since in the insurance company's mind, you'll be more at risk the longer you drive. 

Pick A Company And Stick With It

It might be tempting to shop around and switch insurance companies based on whichever is cheapest at the time, but remaining loyal to a single company can often offer more benefits in the long run. Like any business, loyalty is rewarded when shopping for auto insurance. A company can often offer you reduced rates in exchange for staying with their company, which can rival the amount you might save by switching providers. You will also have the benefit of having your insurer be willing to work with you on adjusting your policy as you see fit or give you reduced rates on having other vehicles insured through them. 

Shop Smarter

The knee jerk reaction when insuring a vehicle is to get full coverage; after all, your vehicle is an investment that makes day-to-day living easier. However, in some cases, this gung-ho attitude can end up costing you a small fortune in premium cost. This is particularly the case of people who own older cars, especially those that are valued less than $1,000. Having full coverage on a clunker is often pointless, as repairs can easily out-cost the entire price of the vehicle, meaning that you'd most likely better off just finding a new vehicle to purchase instead.

Hopefully, by being mindful of these few tips, you can get the coverage that best suits your needs at an affordable price. For more information, contact a local insurance company like Colling Insurance Services, Inc.