You already know you should shop around for car insurance. What you might not know is that timing your switch wrong can cost you more than staying put. Insurance companies offer their best rates to new customers, but only if you know how to ask for them.
The sweet spot for switching is 30-45 days before your current policy expires. This gives you leverage with your current insurer and time to compare real quotes from competitors. When you get quotes, make sure they match your current coverage exactly - that $50/month cheaper policy might have half the liability limits.
Here's where people mess up: they cancel their old policy before the new one starts. Even a single day without coverage creates a gap that follows you for years. Insurers charge 20-40% more when they see gaps in your coverage history. Instead, overlap your policies by one day - you'll get prorated refunds from both companies.
Before you switch, call your current insurer and tell them you're leaving. About 60% of the time, they'll offer you a retention discount to stay. Even if you still switch, you now have ammunition to negotiate with the new company. Tell them about the retention offer - many will beat it by 10-15%.
The real savings come from bundling and loyalty discounts at your new insurer. If you're paying $1,200/year for auto insurance, adding a basic renters policy for $150 typically saves you $300 on the auto policy. Set a calendar reminder to shop again in 2-3 years - that's when loyalty pricing starts working against you.