I learned a lot about auto insurance when I worked in the car biz, most importantly, that it's all about your region: car insurance deals vary by state, county, city -- you name it. Look for a company that will offer good driver discounts, AAA discounts, a discount through your employer, credit union discounts, payment plans without monthly fees for taking the payment plan, and 6-month and 1-year payment discounts.
Go in person if you can -- you'll get a better quote. Agents believe if they can get you in the door, they can get you to sign a deal. the website of my current insurer, State Farm, quoted a rate MUCH higher than my current rate, which I was quoted by visiting the office.
Consider getting renter's insurance along with car insurance. You'll get a monster big break carrying more than one type of insurance through them. I pay $97/month for car insurance (Michigan's rates are the highest in the country) with $250 deductibles, plus renter's insurance for $50,000 worth on my apartment, which includes a special rider on my bike and my MacBook Pro (even if I spill liquid on it or drop it, they'll replace it). Without those two riders, I'd probably be paying about $30/month for the renter's insurance alone without car insurance or the riders. (I live in a pretty decent neighborhood, mind). Really think about adding renter's insurance.
I suggest being wary of insurance agencies (they "help" you find insurance that suits you). They get kickbacks from various insurers, and they're going to refer you to whoever is giving them the best cut at the time.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to shop around often. You might buy a 6-month policy or any other frame of time, but you *can* leave any time if you find a better deal, though insurance companies don't want you to know that. I suggest checking around every year for a better deal. It's easy to be complacent about insurance because it's SUCH a pain to deal with, but about 50% of the time when I check, I can find a better deal.
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Go in person if you can -- you'll get a better quote. Agents believe if they can get you in the door, they can get you to sign a deal. the website of my current insurer, State Farm, quoted a rate MUCH higher than my current rate, which I was quoted by visiting the office.
Consider getting renter's insurance along with car insurance. You'll get a monster big break carrying more than one type of insurance through them. I pay $97/month for car insurance (Michigan's rates are the highest in the country) with $250 deductibles, plus renter's insurance for $50,000 worth on my apartment, which includes a special rider on my bike and my MacBook Pro (even if I spill liquid on it or drop it, they'll replace it). Without those two riders, I'd probably be paying about $30/month for the renter's insurance alone without car insurance or the riders. (I live in a pretty decent neighborhood, mind). Really think about adding renter's insurance.
I suggest being wary of insurance agencies (they "help" you find insurance that suits you). They get kickbacks from various insurers, and they're going to refer you to whoever is giving them the best cut at the time.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to shop around often. You might buy a 6-month policy or any other frame of time, but you *can* leave any time if you find a better deal, though insurance companies don't want you to know that. I suggest checking around every year for a better deal. It's easy to be complacent about insurance because it's SUCH a pain to deal with, but about 50% of the time when I check, I can find a better deal.
Good luck!