Thinking about buying a new car? By planning ahead you can also use this as an opportunity to save on auto insurance. Less spent on auto insurance means more to spend on your vehicle, so use these helpful tips to get the most car for your money.

1. Make a list of your top choices. Include the make, model, year and features of the car or truck then call your current insurance agent to get an estimate of what a new policy will cost.
2. Shop for safety features. Sometimes it is worthwhile to spend slightly more on a car with anti-theft device, automatic seat belts, daytime running lights or other safety and security features, in order to save money on your auto insurance. B
3. Sticker Shock. Part of the insurance premium for your new or used car will be based upon the price of the car and/or amount financed. To save money on auto insurance consider buying a slightly used vehicle with upgraded safety features or eliminate extras on a new vehicle.
4. Check the Safety Record. Cars, trucks and other vehicles have safety records that will govern how much you pay for car insurance based upon the amount of damage or injury sustained to the vehicle. Not only will buying a safer vehicle lead to greater peace of mind for you and your family, but it can also save money on insurance premiums. To check the safety rating of your car visit www.ConsumerReports.org or Edmunds.com. Be sure to have the make, model and year available for each vehicle under consideration. Remember, even the same make and model can differ from year to year!
5. Consider the type of car. Sports cars tend to have higher insurance premiums than trucks. New cars cost more to insure than used cars but it varies widely so do your homework.  The cost to repair, safety rating, theft record and other characteristics of each model can make the cost of ownership for one convertible much higher or lower than another.  To check out which cars are stolen most (or least) visit the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) at www.ncib.org.
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