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Before you can properly shop for something, you have to decide what you need. The first step in finding the right car insurance is to consider the coverage you need. There are essentially three standard types of insurance cover ranging from third party cover (protecting individuals against liability should they injure a third party or cause damage to a third party’s property) through third party fire and theft to comprehensive cover, which can offer additional protection for accidental damage, theft, fire damage as well as liability towards third parties.

Comprehensive car insurance providers such as ASDA Finance will offer a range of additional insurance coverage, while CIS are also a recommended provider of car insurance online. Before you take out your policy, however, it’s important to consider what you will need to include in your policy.

Essentially, the more bolt-on “goodies” you have, the higher the cost of your motor insurance as it’s likely they won’t be included as standard. So decide which of these bells and whistles you want and whether in fact you need any of them at all - you may be over insured.

Wherever you start looking, it pays to be armed with a few questions to make the best assessment of the policy that’s right for you. Here are a few key pointers:

• Is a courtesy car provided as standard if your car is stolen or written-off? Do you have to pay extra to insure the courtesy car?

• Is legal protection included? This type of protection applies in cases where, for example, you have a traffic accident that is not your fault. The policy offers the chance to be able to claim back your uninsured losses from the driver responsible. Generally, you will be offered cover up to £50,000 or £100,000 of legal fees. But bear in mind that the final decision as to whether the legal support is granted depends on the “win-ability” of any court action being considered.

• Does the policy offer roadside breakdown assistance? Is Europe covered? If so, this can cost a lot more.

• Do you pay extra for overseas cover or is it included as standard?

• What is the policy excess? What are the conditions? Many companies issue policies with a compulsory excess – although sometimes they may offer a voluntary excess. This refers to the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of an accident. The more money you are willing to pay in excess, the lower your motor insurance premium.

• Does cover include personal injury, personal belongings or replacement locks?

• Does the policy include legal advice and medical counselling telephone lines?

• Will your insurer immediately authorise repairs from recommended agents? If you have to obtain quotes, the cost may be less.

• Will your no-claims bonus be affected if the accident wasn’t your fault or the cost cannot be recovered?

• Can you transfer a no-claims bonus built up while driving on somebody else’s insurance? They may also offer you a no-claims bonus if you are the named driver on someone else’s car insurance policy.

• Can you transfer your no-claims bonus to a second car?

• Can you protect your no-claims bonus? How many claims are you allowed under the scheme before your no-claims bonus is affected?

• Will you be charged extra for paying your car insurance by monthly direct debit?

You don’t need to get caught without car insurance. Finding insurance quotes is both cheap and easy. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to find the right auto insurance for you. It is illegal in most states to not have the proper car insurance.