Auto insurance specialists recommend that car owners ask for insurance quotes from more than one company, if they want to get the affordable auto insurance. Some young car owners may ask themselves who needs auto insurance, as if you drive carefully, nothing bad can happen to you. Actually, things are not exactly like that. First of all, in all states, basic car insurance is mandatory, so car owners caught without a valid insurance policy will be suffering tough penalties.

Another issue is that it may happen that you drive carefully, but some other driver doesn't so accidents may occur even if it's not your fault. If somebody wants to own and drive a car, then this person should make the proof that he or she is able to take the financial responsibility for whatever consequences may result from their action of driving that car.

The basic, cheapest auto insurance policy is the liability coverage. In case an accident occurs from your fault, this type of insurance policy will cover damages you produce to the other vehicles and persons involved. Regarding the minimum liability, this may vary from state to state, so car owners should check the local laws before purchasing auto insurance.

Finding an auto insurance specialist is easier than you'd think: the first idea that comes to my mind is to search for one online. There are websites where you can apply for a free car insurance quote, in order to be able to compare choices. What's so much to be compared? Well, various insurers have different policies when it comes to discounts you may be eligible for. For example, some companies give additional discounts to women, as it's statistically proven that women drivers have less accidents than men. Others give discounts for retired people. Others give you bonuses if you pay the one year premiums in advance.

After you get those online quotes, you can go to a local insurance broker and ask for a quote, so you can make yourself an idea about the market in your area. 

This is not a specialist guide for your auto insurance purchase, but a quick checklist which can help you not overspend on your auto insurance:

• Buy only what you need. For example, if you are the only person driving the car, why pay more for including other drivers as well? Or, if you know you are not going on roads which are not public, you don't need to pay for that extra coverage.
• Raising deductibles will lower your car insurance premiums. Deductibles are those amounts you are willing to pay from your own pocket in case of accident, the insurance company having to cover only the difference of money.
  
• Keep the same insurance agent for continuity. Many companies have this continuity bonus for their insurance customers, so you may get up to 15% discount for the simple fact that you've been a client in the previous year, provided that you didn't have any accidents.
• Ask about the advance payment bonus. If this bonus is very small, maybe it's not worth paying for a full year in advance. However, if you can afford it without endangering your cash flow, it's a good idea to lower your premiums a little bit.
  

If you are careful and discuss all these issues with your auto insurance specialist, you'll probably save some money for other things.