If you own and drive a car, you need car insurance. But how do you know what policy to buy?

First of all, make sure you understand what the policy does and does not cover. If the policy doesn?t provide the coverage you need, then ask your insurance provider to come up with a new policy quote. While you are required to have car insurance, you also need to make sure the insurance coverage will take care of you in case of an accident or vehicle breakdown. Get all insurance quotes in writing. Having a written record of the quote prevents the car insurance provider from trying to raise the price on the premium if you decide to purchase the insurance.

If you also insure a home or you life, you may be able to take advantage of a feature called bundling. Bundled policies are all provided by the same company. Insurance companies like to provide all your coverage, and usually offer you discounts. They will also work with you to choose the due date for your premiums that best fits your budget, whether that’s all your premiums on the same day, or staggering your premiums so they do not all hit at once.

Where you live impacts your insurance rates. Car insurance is more expensive in metro areas than in rural areas, especially if you own an expensive car. More expensive cars require more expensive car insurance. You will also want to check your car?s safety rating. Safer cars are cheaper to insurance, while flashier models cost more.

Always ask about discounts. Insurance companies often offer lower rates to women, seniors, households with multiple drivers, holders of bundled policies, and men and women in the armed forces. You often can get a cheaper policy if you belong to certain organizations and clubs, like AARP. If you have a teenaged driver in your household, and he or she is a good student, ask about good student discounts. Your teen can also get you lower premiums by enrolling in and completing driver ed or a defensive driving course.

Finally, always shop around. Get several quotes on your car insurance. It’s always possible that another provider could offer you better coverage at a lower premium. Insurance companies make comparison shopping easier than it used to be, especially over the Internet. You can do your research and find out the discount programs you may qualify for, the safety information on your vehicle, and the risk assessment of your neighborhood. Going to your agent armed with knowledge makes it much more likely you will get the best possible rate.

No matter what your auto insurance needs, always deal with professional, licensed insurance brokers. They can go over your situation and tailor a policy to your precise needs, as well as answer all your questions.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.