With the credit crunch forcing everyone to tighten their belts, now is as good a time as any to shop around for the best car insurance deal. Recent research has shown that many are paying over the odds out of pure idleness in looking for a better deal.Key to finding that good deal is to do your research before purchasing your new car and consider choosing a model which will cost you less in insurance, which could make you massive savings over the years.

New figures released this week show that 24 per cent, almost a quarter, of motorists surveyed, do not bother to get an insurance quote prior to making a decision on a new car purchase. However, across all of those questioned, 70 per cent said that they would check the insurance costs associated with the make and model of car they were interested in buying.

For many, checking the insurance costs is vital before buying a car as the new insurance premium could be out of budget, making the new car uninsurable. Those who do not check the insurance costs before purchasing a new vehicle are missing out a very important step in buying a car.

Underwriter Mike Pickard, said: "With the cost of motoring on the up, it's more important than ever for drivers looking to change their car to make sure they get the best deal. Whether it's bargaining on the forecourt or shopping around for the right finance package or insurance cover, an hour or two of researching at home can make a real difference to your wallet." (by:onlyfinance.com)