The thought of purchasing a new car is an exciting prospect for most people. Colors, models, and vehicle options are often foremost in the buyer’s considerations. And while we hate to inject reality into such an otherwise enjoyable experience, it should be noted that cheap auto insurance should also be a key factor in making your final decision to buy.

Just as whether or not the vehicle has a CD or DVD player may influence your decision on the purchase, safety ratings and passive personal protection are going to affect the amount of insurance you have to pay. And just as the fuel mileage of the vehicle may be a prime consideration, the statistics of that particular vehicle in actual road use are going to have a profound impact on the risk entailed in insuring it.

But it is also important to note that even when all safety and risk factors are equal, shopping for the best policy can still mean the difference between annual policy costs of hundreds versus thousands of dollars. The exact same coverage will differ dramatically from one company to another, and it is simply in your best interest to shop around a little before settling on the vehicle or the insurance company you will be happiest with.

Studies have shown that most people choose their insurance policy by dialing the phone number shown on the TV screen after a particular ad catches their eye. While this is a very convenient way to pick an insurance company, it is not necessarily the most efficient. As a matter of fact, the more expensive an ad was to put in front of you, the more likely it will be that you will not achieve the most savings, as the cost of that ad is going to be passed on to the people who call the number and purchase policies.

Research the safety features of the car before you buy. Choosing a vehicle that has air bags, for instance, can mean saving hundreds of dollars in car insurance. The same is also true for newer technology, such as built-in GPS, which can be used to help authorities recover your vehicle if it is stolen. Passive safety and security, such as the two listed here, have a large impact on the yearly cost of an insurance policy. By reducing the risk absorbed by the insurance company, you are able to reduce the cost that company passes on to you.

Pick you vehicle carefully, with an eye towards safety. And then choose your auto insurance companies carefully as well, by comparing the car insurance discounts available to you, not just in terms of features of the vehicle, but also in terms of such things as professional occupation, safe driver, and other discounts which are offered by many auto insurance company. You may even be able to get discounts by having multiple lines of insurance with the same company, such as combined life and vehicle coverage. Before you buy, shop carefully, and you can certainly save a little of your hard-earned cash for use in other areas.. such as CDs or DVDs to play in those fancy auto accessories.