The first time I bought car insurance I was surprised at how much it cost, but I just accepted it without question. It was a few years before I learned that I could have been paying much less. Well don't wait that long. Here are some tips to help you save when you're shopping for car insurance.

Find out what you are paying for. Car insurance policies can have the bare minimum required by law in your state, or have added coverages and convenience features such as comprehensive, towing and rental car reimbursement.

Do you really need all of those features? The more features your policy has the more it will probably cost. Carefully think through if you really need extra features like towing and rental reimbursement. They could really add up. If your driving habits make the need for a long-distance tow unnecessary, or you have alternatives to renting a car, you could save money and do without those extras.

How much deductible can you handle? The deductible is the part you pay before your collision or comprehensive coverages pick up the rest of the tab. The higher your deductible, the lower your car insurance costs.

Take advantage of discounts. Find out what discounts you could be eligible for and make sure the car insurance company or the agent knows about it. Good student discounts, combining your home and auto insurance, having an anti-lock brake system and more can save you money.

Comparison shop. You'd be surprised at how car insurance costs can vary between companies. Get at least three different quotes. Make sure you are comparing the same coverages and features between quotes or your comparison won't be accurate.