For the Lowest Auto Insurance Rates, Go Insurance Rates

Having a minimum level of auto insurance coverage is the law in nearly every state (except for New Hampshire). Not only is it your legal obligation, it's also a smart move to make as accidents do occur and can lead to financial ruin. Please note that the laws on coverage vary from state to state as well as the premiums and rates charged due to a number of unpredictable factors. This is why comparison-shopping can be so effective.

National Car Insurance Averages

As of November 2009, the national average for car insurance was $1,735. However, the rates of many states far exceed that number, breaking the two thousand dollar mark. Residents of Alaska ($2,218), Connecticut ($2,136), Delaware ($2,279) District of Columbia ($2,436), Louisiana ($2,310), Maryland ($2,295), Michigan ($2,240), Nevada ($2,028), New Jersey ($2,498), New York ($2,394), Oklahoma ($2,006) and Rhode Island ($2,269) have to contend with the most expensive auto insurance in the nation.

Decreased Rates

Even though these states are paying a small fortune on their car insurance rates, some of them are actually spending a bit less than they did earlier in the year. Recent statistics indicate that in the last quarter of 2009, 33 states either held their rates steady or actually dropped their prices. Nebraskans have the biggest reason to celebrate as they experienced a rate decrease of 12.7%. For the heavy hitting $2000+ states, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia and Maryland, all experienced decreases in their auto insurance premiums, but not enough to lower the costs closer to the national average.

Increased Rates

There were a slew of auto insurance rate increases across the nation as well. Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming all showed an increase in the average cost of auto insurance. Colorado is guilty of the highest car insurance rates increase, costing consumers 4.6% more than in previous months for their auto insurance premiums.

2010 Auto Insurance Rates

The auto insurance forecast for 2010 varies depending on where you live. Residents of a few states should brace themselves for higher auto insurance costs since their minimum liability limits for auto insurance are expected to increase and their cost of coverage may do so as well. Wisconsin (average auto insurance total of $1,530) and Louisiana (average auto insurance total of $2,310) are just two states with changing laws, and the average cost of vehicle coverage will surely be impacted.

If you feel that you are paying too much for your policy then comparison-shopping is the best way to save on your auto insurance premium. Those who have switched their car insurance providers have benefited from savings exceeding $525 (on average).

Have you saved money by switching your car insurance? If so, our readers and staff would love to hear how you did it and how large of a savings it was.

A couple of states have made adjustments to their vehicle safety inspection requirements for the New Year. Both Missouri and the District of Columbia have decided that inspections are either not necessary for a while, or not at all.

Missouri's New Inspection Guidelines

In the state of Missouri, new vehicle safety inspection guidelines have been adopted that determine when a car will need to be inspected. As of Jan. 1, vehicles five years old or new will not need a safety inspection.

n other words, those who have purchased a 2006 model will need their first inspection in 2012. Previously, only cars bought in their model year were exempt from inspections - and that was only for two years.

No More Inspections in D.C.

Even luckier for the residents of the District of Columbia, new guidelines released at the beginning of the New Year have officially canceled the mandatory safety inspection for automobiles. While this might seem like a big deal to those living in states that require safety inspections, there are plenty of states (30 others to be exact) that don't require safety inspections.

Will the Roads be Safe?

With adjustments in safety inspections becoming prevalent, one has to wonder will the roads be any less safe than they have been in those areas. Many vehicle owners get routine checkups for their cars (oil changes, tire rotations, tune-ups) while others have no idea of the concept.

Engines can run hot and tires go bare as a result of avoiding the proper car maintenance checks. In other words, the roads could indeed be affected by a lack of safety inspections (cars sliding on ice due to bad tires, cars breaking down on the road with vehicles in motion behind them), which is the sentiment in Texas, as state that decided not to make such inspection adjustments.

If you live in an area that no longer requires inspections, or has stretched out the time frame requirements, take it upon yourself to make sure you pay routine visits to your auto mechanic. And don't forget to maintain quality auto insurance to prepare yourself for those who don't plan to take care of their cars.

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