CAR INSURANCE SHOPPING

Auto insurance rates are on therise, which makes it more importantthan ever to shop around. Eachinsurer has its own way of blendingrisk factors (eg, age, location, anddriving record) to come up with apremium, which means that policiescan vary widely in price. A recentsurvey by Progressive Corp showsthat premiums on the same 6-month policy differ by an average of$586—almost $100 a month. Startyour shopping at a Web site likeInsure.com and then contact individualcompanies. Don't forget to mentionitems that can lower your rate(eg, airbags, antilock brakes, passengerrestraints, and antitheft devices).