The last year has been hard on everyone in one way or another. For many, just the inability to be able to travel has dramatically impacted their emotional state. Fortunately, those restrictions are starting to lift across the country. Individuals are now able to scratch that pestering itch by venturing out into the great wide open once again. 

While restrictions are no longer holding back your wandering spirit, are you sure that you are prepared to travel? Some people have admitted to l

etting certain things lapse since they haven't really had the need for them over the last year. Items like their driver's license renewal, car tag renewal, and car insurance, have all fallen by the wayside. Even though to most, this is unbelievable, since these are essentials in our everyday lives. However, during this pandemic, when most people are working from home or are in quarantine, these supposedly essential items just seem to cost unnecessary money. 

Maybe you are a responsible person who, no matter how essential or not these items are as of late, would never fall behind on any responsibility. So you are prepared for the road, but when was the last time you took a look at your car insurance policy?  Are your monthly payments near the national average of $133 a month? During this time, many people have gone through changes that, unbeknownst to them, may have a major impact on the cost of their car insurance. 

So whether you are someone who has let their insurance lapse or you are someone who wants to make sure that they are getting the best deal at a fair price, here are some considerations to help you determine which car insurance is best for you. 

1. Coverage 

The first thing you need to decide upon when looking for car insurance is how much coverage do you need and want; you especially want to make sure you're covered for road trips and if you commute to work every day. Each state requires car insurance coverage at a different level. This is referred to as "basic coverage or "state minimum." So it is important to find out what your state requires. 

Also, understand that this type of coverage usually covers your liability but not your own vehicle damage costs. So if that is a concern or if you are financing a vehicle, you probably want to look into full coverage insurance. 

2. Compare Companies

Even if this is the first time you have searched for car insurance, you have undoubtedly seen numerous commercials or advertisements. So you should be well aware that the list of car insurance companies out there is quite long. To conduct a smart comparison, you need to do your research. 

You would want to research things about the companies such as making sure that they are licensed in your state, their complaint ratio, and financial ratings. If you are someone who finds this type of research challenging and overwhelming, don't despair, there are websites out there that help you compare car insurance companies all in one place. 

Make sure that you have all of your information about your car and know the type of coverage you are looking for. Many of these websites can compare and prepare you a list of quotes by various top car insurance companies within minutes. 

3. Discounts

Know the discounts that you qualify for. There are so many various car insurance discounts out there, that you are more than likely to fall into at least one eligible category. It is important to ask about them even if you didn't fall into one before. Due to lifestyle changes that many have gone through in the past year, you may qualify for a discount you were not even aware existed. One example might be that if you now work from home and hardly ever drive your car, you could possibly qualify for a "leisure car" discount. 

These are just some tips to get you started on your quest for new car insurance or upgrading your current one. With life slowly resembling a return to normalcy, the last thing you want is a hefty fine due to not having any insurance or missing out on saving money because you didn't take the time to do a quick overview. Either way, what do you have to lose, other than some extra cash in your wallet, on making sure you have the best car insurance for you?