How to Pay Less for Auto Insurance in California

Californians love their cars and do a lot of driving. Yet despite the number of vehicles on the road, the fatality rate from traffic crashes is substantially lower than the national fatality rate. This is good news for anyone traveling by car in California. However, insuring a vehicle in this state is still costly. Let's take a quick look at road safety in California and talk about one of the best ways to pay less for auto insurance.According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there was one traffic death for every 11,000 Californians during 2008. In comparison, there was one traffic death for every 8,300 Americans. Furthermore, traffic deaths in California went down by 27% between 2004 and 2008.The vast majority of vehicle passengers in California wear seat belts, and this behavior alone is reducing the number of deaths from traffic crashes. During 2008, an estimated 1,424 lives were saved by seat belts. Another 161 victims could have been saved if they had buckled up.Despite the positive trends in road safety, poor judgment and unlawful driving continue to cause unnecessary deaths. For instance, 33% of traffic fatalities involved speeding and 30% involved an impaired driver. These behaviors often go hand in hand - if a driver is willing to break the law in one way, he's willing to break it in multiple ways.The risks of operating a vehicle are real, which makes choosing the right auto insurance an important decision for every driver. If you care about getting the best value for your money, shopping around and comparing quotes from three to five different insurers is essential. Too many people neglect to do this, but it's one of the best ways to save money.What seems like a simple auto insurance quote is actually a fairly complicated calculation. Each driver fits into a certain profile, based on things such as your sex, the number of years you've been licensed, the distance you drive annually, and your driving record. In addition, the type of car you drive, where you live, and other relevant criteria are factored into the quote. Naturally, the type and amount of coverage you want will influence what you pay.Perhaps you think that comparison shopping isn't worth the effort. Well, think again. Each insurer has its own way of calculating the price of its insurance policies. The annual survey conducted by the California Department of Insurance shows that there is a surprisingly wide range of premiums for any given type of driver.To prove the point, here are a few examples of premium costs in 2010:A single male driver in Los Angeles with a clean driving record who drives 15,000 miles a year might pay anywhere from $1,264 to $5,610 annually to insure his pickup truck.A single female driver in Los Angeles who has one traffic ticket and who drives 10,000 miles a year would pay anywhere from $1,428 to $4,028 annually to insure her Honda Accord.A family unit in Los Angeles consisting of a husband and wife with one traffic ticket apiece, as well as a teenage son, driving a combined total of 20,000 miles a year, would pay anywhere from $3,377 to $19,393 annually to insure the family vehicle.These examples are quite typical of the varying prices charged by different insurance companies in California. Whatever category of driver you fall into, it's easy to see that putting a little effort and time into comparison shopping could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on auto insurance.