When should I shop around for cheaper rates?

Comparing car insurance rates can help you save hundreds of dollars. That’s because each car insurance company uses its own formula to calculate rates. This means the same policy can have prices that vary significantly among insurers. A rate analysis by CarInsurance.com shows the average car insurance savings you get from comparing rates ranges from about $3,000 to $350, depending on what state you live in.

Gusner suggests comparing car insurance quotes to find the lowest rates at least once a year -- but certainly at these times, when your rates are most likely to change

dramatically:

• Purchasing a car
• Putting cars on a multi-car insurance policy
• Adding or removing a driver from a policy
• Marriage or divorce
• Moving
• Adding a teen driver
• Buying a house
• DUI or major violation
• Accident
• Change in credit score