There are various reasons as to why you might be looking for a new car insurance policy. Perhaps you're unhappy with your current policy or insurance company, or maybe your car is currently uninsured due to financial factors. Whatever your reason, it's simple to find a policy that will fit both your budget and your cover needs.

Of course, with all the car insurance policies on the market, you might not always know where to begin with your search for new car insurance. Should you pay more to get that extra bit of cover, or should you save some money and forego a few features? These are just a few of the most common questions consumers ask when looking for car insurance - and different insurance companies might offer different answers. However, you should never have to overpay for a policy, or have to sacrifice necessary protection. When it comes to searching for car insurance, it's more than possible to find a budget-conscious policy that offers valuable features.

When beginning your search, it's always best to first familiarise yourself with the car insurance market. In doing so, you'll get a better idea of the range of offers available, and will therefore be able to gauge offers that you continue to find, based on your initial research. Remember that, while you can find very cheap car insurance policies on the market, many of them simply compromise cover to give you that cheap price. When comparing policies, don't just compare cost; compare policy features alongside cost to get a comprehensive view of what each package offers. The best-value policies will give you an all-around good level of cover for an affordable price. If you want more comprehensive cover, you can generally expect to pay a little more. Again, you should never have to overpay for a car insurance policy - even for a comprehensive one.

Once you're able to narrow down your options, there are still a few factors that could save you money - without changing your level of cover. For example, many insurers charge interest on premiums paid in monthly instalments. If possible, opt to pay a lump sum for your annual fee, and you could save around 15% in interest. Another factor that's almost guaranteed to save you money on car insurance is vehicle security. Cars that have an alarm system, or that are parked in a secure garage - rather than on the street - cost less to insure. Yet another way to save on your monthly premium is to pay a higher "excess" (the minimum amount you have to contribute to any claim). However, in choosing this option, you should always be financially prepared to pay the higher excess if an insurance-related incident should occur.

So, whether you're looking for a more affordable car insurance policy, or new car insurance that simply offers more comprehensive cover, remember that a bit of market research can do wonders in helping you find a high-value car insurance policy.