Finding cheap car insurance can sometimes be a pain, but putting some effort into locating the best and cheapest auto deal for you can be well worth your time. While shopping for the cheapest brand of toilet paper or dog food might only save you a few pennies here and there, investing some time in seeking out cheap car insurance can help you make significant savings. Here are some top tips to make finding cheap auto insurance easy.

Whether you are a first time car owner, or are renewing your insurance, it pays to shop around for the cheapest deals before you commit yourself to anything. Always do your homework before signing up: the company that might have offered your best friend a great deal might not be right for you. Insurance deals are offered according to the answers you give to the questions the company asks, and different companies may just ask different questions. If one company considers your young age a liability, for example, there will be one that won't, and if you aren't getting the financial credit you deserve for maintaining a clean license, then you need to look around until you find the car insurance company that offers you the deal you deserve. Shopping around for deals allows you to find the company that appreciates what you bring to the driving experience.

Sometimes it's not the insurance company preventing you from finding the cheapest deal - the problem might just be the car you're driving. While the insurance rate for the same car will differ from company to company, it makes sense that a larger, more powerful car will demand a higher premium across the board. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) groups cars into twenty different groups, and generally speaking, the higher the group your car belongs to, the higher the insurance premium you can expect to pay. You car might be your baby, but when a lower group car can offer significant savings on insurance, you might just find your affections equally aroused by a slightly less demanding model.

If it's not your car or your insurance company that are responsible for an insurance premium that's higher than you'd like, you might just find that cheaper auto insurance can be found in the type of insurance package you choose. Third party only insurance offers the minimum coverage for your car - not just legally, but also in terms of cost. This type of insurance will cover the damage to a third party vehicle in the event of an accident, but not any damage to your own, so this type of insurance deal is ideal for those who have already downsized their vehicle. If your car is cheap and cheerful, replacing it after accidental damage occurs will probably work out cheaper in the long run anyway.

So if you are looking for cheaper car insurance, remember the three Cs that will help you find the best deal for your money: company, car and coverage. Do your homework and shop around for the best type of each for you, and you'll be sure to make big money savings.