With the many choices for car insurance today, it can be tough to find that one affordable quote that fits your budget and needs. In order to avoid making a costly mistake when shopping around for auto insurance, you need to take a few steps. One of those steps is to consider your current driving record, which may affect your quote. If you have a poor record on your driving record, it may not be wise to switch to a more safe company. The more traffic violations you have on your driving record, the worse your rates will be. This is why it is important to check your driving record with the Department of Motor Vehicles and ask them if there are any speeding tickets or accidents that you have been involved in before. If you do not have a driving record, you will need to look at some other things that may affect the cost of your affordable quotes. For instance, if you have a history of filing fraudulent claims, you will have a higher risk of getting caught and being sued by the insurance company. Also, if you have had a traffic violation recently, this will also increase your premium price. Even things like your age, marital status, and driving experience can affect the cost of your policy. Always remember that it is better to pay less than it costs to get into an accident, so it is best to shop around and compare quotes before you make your decision.