As a college student, you are typically insured on your parents’ policy, but once you graduate you need to buy your own. Here's how to get the best car insurance rate if you're a college grad.

Shop Around for Coverage

The first thing you need to do is to compare rate quotes by going to an insurance comparison website that will let you compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. This will save you time and money, plus the best insurance comparison websites have insurance professionals on hand to answer your car insurance questions. (See link below.)

Make sure that you compare the coverages, deductibles, and fees on every quote you get and that you read everything before you sign any paperwork.

Car Insurance Tips

To help you get the best rate on your car insurance, follow these tips:

* Ask if the insurance company offers a college grad discount. This is usually a 10-15% discount for people under age 30 who are college graduates.

* Ask about any other discounts you may qualify for. Some discounts include having a burglar alarm, anti-theft device, or anti-lock brakes installed on your car. Others include taking a drivers ed course or having a three-year accident free driving record.

* If you’re buying a new car, find out what the insurance costs will be for the models you're interested in. Your insurer can give you quotes so that you can choose a vehicle with insurance rates you can afford.

* Keep your credit history clean. Pay your bills on time and don’t accumulate too many credit cards. A poor credit score means higher car insurance rates.

* Skip the comprehensive and collision coverage on your vehicle if it's more than five years old