With increased gas prices in the United States, the cost of maintaining a car is very high. Thus, as a car owner, you need to find other ways to save money. One way to do this is to choose the right auto insurance policy. However, many people pick random insurers without keenly looking at the policy details. As a result, these car owners lose a lot of money on unnecessary add-ons.

Here are three essential tips for choosing the right auto insurance policy.

Choose the Right Cover 

Car insurance can either be third party or comprehensive. A third-party insurance policy covers expenses if another person dies, gets injured, or suffers physical disability due to an accident. If the accident results in property damage, this insurance also settles any accrued losses. On the other hand, a comprehensive policy covers your own vehicle and also includes all the third-party benefits. 

While the third-party policy is cheap, it has limited coverage. Therefore, you need to consider the specifics before you choose between the two options. You also need to compare the pros and cons of each cover. For instance, if your car is new and expensive, the comprehensive cover might be the best option. It will give you a wide range of coverage options, at the cost of higher premiums.

Check Your Driving Habits

A good auto insurance policy adequately covers your unique needs. You can't find the right policy if you don't consider your driving needs, habits, and typical risks. You need to assess yourself first before you shop around for quotes.

In other words, your driving habits will play a critical role when it comes to the insurance policy you want for your car. The answers to the following questions can help guide your decision:

• Do you mainly drive in accident-prone areas? 
• Do you often drive in flood-prone areas? 
• Do you like out-of-town trips? 
• Do you frequently drive at night?

Remember that your monthly premiums are based on various factors, including the vehicle you have, your driving history, and even where you live. Your insurance provider might check your annual mileage and even previous tickets to determine how much of a risk you are.

Compare Quotes

If you want to get the best value out of your auto insurance policy, you shouldn't settle for the first quote you get. You need to look around for other providers and have at least three quotes to compare.

Take your time and closely examine each of these quotes. Check the coverage, features, and rates for each. If there's anything you don't understand, get your auto insurance agent to clarify the different items listed under the coverage. Although it might seem like a tedious process, comparing quotes will undoubtedly help you get a better deal.