These are economic hard times. Gas looks as though it’s going to cost more than $4 a gallon for the next year, the cost of food and other basics has been shooting up, and the job market is shrinking. But you can’t do without your car. You live in the suburbs and have to commute. Public transport is inconvenient and expensive. So you’re looking to save money on your vehicle.

Big warning sticker: don’t just buy the cheapest auto insurance you can find. As with everything else, you get what you pay for. You should be looking for affordable and not cheap auto insurance, i.e. reasonable coverage at a price that isn’t going to break the bank from a company that handles claims efficiently and fairly. Just as the insurance company is going to check you out, see whether you have any tickets hidden away in your records, you should do the same to the insurance companies that give you free online quotes.

Every state has a Department or a Commissioner of Insurance. The office or officer is responsible for licensing companies. No-one can underwrite without a license. Even when they have license, companies are regulated. Every state runs a complaint scheme so that if you have any kind of problem, you can send details to the local department or Commissioner. If it looks a good case, there are powers to investigate. Should evidence of a crime emerge, the state will prosecute and get you compensation. Most states publish a list of the companies licensed to trade and the number of valid complaints they have received.

You should also ask around your friends and colleagues to see what experience they have. There are also a number of consumer sites where people leave comments - usually bad because people get all fired up when they feel hard done by and want everyone else to know about it. If you have time, it is also worth talking to your local body shops to find out which companies have a good reputation for handling claims and paying out quickly for repairs.

Look at it this way. If you don’t ask, they won’t tell.

When you’ve found a good company and their terms give you the cover you need at a price you can afford, buy the policy. But always remember to tell your current insurer you are changing. There is no point in having two policies in force at the same time. Equally, it’s a crime to drive on the roads without a valid policy. So make sure the changeover goes smoothly.