The year, make (manufacturer's name) and model of your car. It pays to be as specific as possible: a Nissan Sentra SE is not the same car as a Nissan Sentra XE, and may be insured at a different rate. If you're unsure of your car's date of manufacture, look for a metal plate riveted to the inside of the doorwell on the driver's side; it should list the month and year (if not, check your user manual, or ask a dealer for help).

Your car's VIN, or vehicle identification number (optional). The VIN is used to identify a car that's been stolen, falsely registered or assembled out of wrecked parts. It's recorded on your car's registration certificate, as well as permanently inscribed in more than one location on your car. At least one of these locations should be listed in your user's manual (it's often under the hood and/or near the windshield).

A copy of your current insurance policy (if applicable)

Personal info (age, sex, marital status) and driving history

Internet access, to search for policies and receive online price quotes (optional)

A list of auto insurance companies for comparison shopping. The Yellow Pages in most phone books will have an insurance section with numerous auto insurers.

Contact information for your state's insurance commissioner. The phone book should list this info: look in the State Government Offices listings for an "Insurance Department" or equivalent. You might also be able to find it on the Web site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org).

From two to three hours (if you're shopping via the phone and the web) to several days (if you're receiving quotes by mail).

Deductible: The amount you pay out of pocket before an insurance company's coverage kicks in.

2torial #0419: Learn2 Shop for Car Insurance Cover your car-- without wrecking your bank account! Here's the good news: you probably won't get in an accident in the next twelve months. And the bad news? You still need to insure your car! Driving is risky business, and a couple of tons of metal can do a lot of damage, especially when moving at high speeds. Unfortunately, auto insurance doesn't always come cheap. In fact, if your policy's too inexpensive, you might not be getting enough protection--and that could end up costing you big. But if you're paying through the nose, something's wrong, too. You might want to look around for another insurer, or simply give up the costlier extras that aren't worth your money. In this 2torial, we'll point out the most prevalent types of car insurance policies available today, and explain the steps you can take to get the most coverage for the lowest cost. You should know that most, if not all, auto insurance policies have four basic elements of coverage. Your own policy doesn't necessarily need to include all four, but you should know what they are: Liability: Covers costs when you injure someone or damage their property (i.e. their car) when you're driving. This is the most important element of car insurance. Medical coverage: Pays for medical treatment for you and your passengers in the event of an accident. Sometimes, coverage includes disability insurance and may even reimburse you for pain and suffering. Collision/comprehensive: Collision covers damage due to an accident up to the book value of your car. Comprehensive covers other kinds of loss or damage, for example theft, flood or vandalism. Uninsured/under-insured drivers: If an uninsured or under-insured driver injures you or your passengers, you could be stuck with the bill unless you have this coverage. For the most part, evaluating a policy will consist of comparing the proportion of coverage in these areas to your own personal needs. You can, however, find many other kinds of auto-related coverage areas besides these four biggies: some policies will reimburse you for towing services or car rentals that result from an accident...heck, some companies will even insure your CB radio. It makes sense to take care of the fundamentals, then decide if such extras are a good or a bad bet. Calculate the minimal coverage you need A car accident can prove extremely expensive, especially if personal injury is involved. In fact, "under-insured" drivers could find themselves in deep financial trouble, losing their savings, their home--even future wages. So let's look at the appropriate bottom limits to the four main aspects of coverage: you can go higher, but going lower is risky business. Liability: In order to protect your financial future, liability insurance should be your number-one priority. It covers costs resulting from injuries to other drivers and their passengers, as well as damage to their cars (it doesn't cover you, your car, or your passengers). Such damage can easily run into the hundreds of thousands, or much more. What level of liability should you get? Most financial advisors recommend that you get insurance at least equal to your personal net worth, though many say you should actually double that amount. Even if you don't have too many substantial assets (such as a home, a retirement account or other property), you should consider coverage of $50,000 for damage to property and $100,000 per individual, with a cap of $300,000 per accident. Medical insurance: Does your health insurance cover you in the event of a car accident? Then your need for similar coverage in an auto policy is probably zero. If you don't have regular medical insurance, then do by all means get an auto policy with medical clauses that specifically covers injuries resulting from car accidents, with a cap of at least $250,000. But take note: it might make more sense to put that money toward a general health policy. Collision/comprehensive: If you're leasing a car, or still making loan payments, you may be required to supplement liability with collision or comprehensive insurance. If your car is especially valuable, you should also seriously consider collision/comprehensive insurance--just as you'd insure anything of great value. Coverage is generally for the book value of the car, minus any deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before an insurance company's coverage kicks in). Uninsured/under-insured driver: When you are hit by a driver without assets, without adequate insurance, or without insurance at all, you could get stuck with the bill. If you lack major medical and/or disability insurance, you should strongly consider this coverage. Avoid unnecessary coverage Before you opt for a particular policy, make sure you're not paying for coverage you don't want, or duplicating coverage you already have via other insurance. Once again, let's drill through the Big Four coverage areas, rooting out potential areas for cutting costs. Liability: Some people (usually those with considerable assets) have what are called "general" or "umbrella" policies that cover a wide range of potential liabilities, in or out of the car. If you're one of these upscale individuals you'll probably still need some auto liability insurance--but you may be able to opt for a much lower level. Ask the insurers who issued your umbrella policy for an exact reckoning of how you're currently covered in case of automotive mishaps. Medical: As we mentioned in the previous step, if you have major medical insurance you probably don't need special medical coverage for car accidents. But check with your medical insurer first before turning it down. Collision/comprehensive: Got a fancy, spanking new deluxmobile? Then you'll probably want insurance in case of an accident. But if you're driving a clunker, you might consider foregoing collision/comprehensive insurance; the costs, compounded over just a year or two, might be more than the potential cost of repairs (especially if you're willing to live with dents and dings). Just make sure you can afford a replacement when and if the time comes: a fender-bender might mean a day or two in the shop for a new car, but the end of the line for a worn-out jalopy. Uninsured/under-insured drivers: Again, if you have major medical coverage and disability insurance, this coverage will probably prove redundant and you can consider declining it. However, it could provide payments for pain and other non-economic damages, so it does offer some additional benefits. It will also cover your passengers, who might otherwise be stuck with medical bills and other costs if they are injured. That said, you are neither legally required to do this, nor would you be liable for their injuries. Consider high deductibles Insurance is meant to protect you from real financial disaster, not bee stings and pin pricks, and that should be your standard as you're considering deductible levels. A deductible of $1,000 sounds high, but if in an emergency you could scrape together such a sum, you should consider it. After all, higher deductibles mean lower premiums. If, on the other hand, a $1,000 expenditure could make or break your standard of living, then perhaps you should consider a deductible of $500 or even $250. Here's an example: you purchase a policy with a $250 deductible, which costs about $200 more per year than a policy with a deductible of $1,000. Over the course of 10 years, you pay an extra $2,000 for the additional coverage. In that time, you get into two small fender-benders and one major accident. The fender-benders cost $500 each, so your policy saves you $250 compared with the $1,000 deductible. That's a total savings of $500. In the major accident, which costs more than $1,000, you only pay the first $250 instead of $1,000--a difference of $750. Overall, the additional coverage saves you $1,250, yet you've paid more than $2,000 for it. So in this example, you would have been better off with the less expensive high deductible. Of course, individual costs vary, as well the kinds of claims you make. But most consumer affairs experts agree that high deductibles usually make financial sense over the long run. Research special discounts Many factors go into calculating insurance costs, and you can do a number of things to win lower rates: Get good grades: Insurance companies believe that good students make safer drivers, and students with high grades can receive discounts. Get a car with airbags: Airbags can save more than your neck. Because they significantly reduce the chance of major injuries, they can also mean lower insurance premiums. Get a sturdy car: Like airbags, sturdy cars mean fewer serious injuries, thus reducing insurance costs (and medical bills). Shop for a household discount: If both you and your spouse have a car, consider getting a single insurer--you may qualify for a household discount. The same may apply if you have children who drive. Some insurance companies will also provide discounts if you buy life and homeowner's policies with them, as well. Get married: Some insurance companies consider married people a lower risk than singles, and whether or not your spouse drives, you can get lower rates just for being married. Discounts vary from company to company and on a case-by-case basis. Maintain a good driving record: Many companies offer a discount for good driving, sometimes as much as 20 percent. You'll generally qualify if you've been with the same insurer for more than 36 months without filing a claim. By contrast, every time you get into an accident that's your fault, your insurance premiums increase--sometimes significantly--for up to five years or more. Even traffic violations, from speeding to running a stop sign, can send costs skyward for the same amount of time. So, you have a powerful incentive to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. If you've already racked up a spotty record, taking a defensive driving course could significantly reduce your rates. Ask your insurer about potential discounts and a list of approved programs. Drive less: Insurers will ask you how many miles you drive per year. The lower the number, the lower your rates. If you commute, you can expect to pay extra. Install a car alarm: If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you'll get lower rates if you install a car alarm. In fact, a car alarm could easily pay for itself over time through lower insurance rates. Comparison shop on the Internet Because the price of insurance is a mix of so many factors, calculating costs can be time-consuming. Every time you contact a new company, you can expect to spend 15 to 20 minutes answering a detailed questionnaire. Even then an agent might not be able to quote a single, definitive rate. This can make comparison shopping a long, drawn-out affair. Fortunately, a number of web sites have sprung up to make things easier. By filling out just one online questionnaire, you can get quotes from a variety of different companies--the better the site, the more companies they'll consult. You may not find the absolute lowest rates this way, but you'll certainly receive a number of options and get a sense of the range of prices available to you, without making dozens of lengthy phone calls. To find such a service, go to a search engine, look for "inexpensive auto insurance," and start browsing. Most services are free, though some charge a nominal fee. Those that charge money may be less biased since they make their money directly from the consumer, rather than earning a commission from a referral. Consumer Reports is one such site (http://www.consumerinsure.org/html/home.htm). Contact your state's insurance commissioner Before making any decisions, consider contacting your state's insurance regulator. They'll provide information about the minimum insurance you're legally required to carry, plus recommendations for low-cost insurers. They'll also provide a list of companies that are fraudulent or in bad financial shape (meaning they might not have any money for you when you need to collect). For a list of insurance regulators in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C., check out the web site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org). Once you've found a range of low-cost insurers and made sure they're financially solvent, you're in the driver's seat. Now it's time to call an agent and place your order. Just gather the required information (see What you'll need) and set aside about 20 minutes to answer a questionnaire. Afterward, the agent will ask you to head to one of the company's local offices for an inspection of the car and to sign your new policy. You and your car could be insured by sundown.   -end-