Surveys suggest you could pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 annually for the same auto coverage thru different insurance providers.
Shopping for insurance using a website that compares multiple companies and policies is one of the best ways to ensure your getting a good rate, and it allows you to compare rates and policies from the comfort of your home.
In reality you should be checking a few of these websites every year to ensure your getting a good deal on your policy.

Auto insurance rates depend on several factors, including, your age and marital status, where you live, how many cars are on your policy, annual mileage driven, how far you are from your work, what you drive, how long you have been with your insurance company and what other things do you have insured with them, and of course your driving record.

First Things 1st, Types of Coverage, what do you need?

• Coverage for yourself

Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value. There is a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium rate is. While it is legally optional, if you have a loan on the vehicle the lending institution usually requires collision coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage (for physical damage): Which also carries a deductible. Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, flood, fire, wind, and other non-accident damage.
Medical payments: Pays for injuries to you and other occupants of your vehicle, it is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the required basic coverage.
What is no-fault insurance? If your state requires "no-fault" auto insurance, your auto policy must pay medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident. No-fault insurance laws are intended to keep insurance fraud down.
Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries sustained by yourself or the occupants of your car from an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run (unidentified) drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available to cover claims you may need to make against a driver who is inadequately insured. Some areas of the country have as high as a 30 percent uninsured motorist rating.

• Coverage from other

Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, as well as your legal costs if your vehicle caused a accident and injures or kills someone.
Property damage liability: Covers claims for property damage that your vehicle caused in an accident. Since liability coverage protects the other party, you are required to carry this insurance in all but three states, Florida, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.

Items effecting your rates

Your driving record
If you are convicted of moving traffic violations or of causing an accident, your premiums will likely be higher regardless of your age. Drivers with no tickets and no accidents "clean records" pay lower rates.

Who You Are
Your age and gender are uncontrollable factors that affect your insurance premium. Males 25 or younger pay the highest rates since statistics show their involved in more accidents. Married men statistically have fewer accidents and generally pay less than single men. A few states don't allow rates based on sex or age, but that generally results in higher rates for women, instead of lower rates for men.

Where you live
Higher populated Urban areas, with greater densities and heavier traffic often get higher rates than rural areas.

How much Insurance do you need?

It's dangerous to be under-insured, but having too much insurance can be an expensive mistake too. Without insurance, your personal property and lively-hood is put at risk in an accident that you caused.
The more income and assets you have to protect, such as a home, the more insurance you need. An "umbrella" policy could protect you from financial ruin in a major lawsuit.

Tips to Reduce Your Insurance Premiums

Increase your deductible for collision and comprehensive.
Drop collision coverage when the annual premium reaches 10 percent of your car's value. On older cars claims are limited to the "book" value, so you most likely won't get much for damage anyway.
Drop coverage for towing costs or car rental while yours is in the shop.
If your group health insurance provides generous coverage, consider dropping the medical payments portion of your policy.
Shop around Instead of just renewing. Use a online multiple quote service and study the fine print to compare them. Chances are you can find a better rate, but you won't know if you don't shop.

Try To Qualify For Discounts

Most companies give a break to those who drive less than 7500 miles a year. Take public transportation to work, or try carpooling to reduce your cars annual mileage.
Drive a vehicle make or model that qualifies for a discount or doesn't carry a surcharge.
A vehicle with an alarm or air bags may qualify for a discount.
Discounts are commonly available if you insure other items with the same company, like your home.
If you pass a defensive-driving course or don't smoke or drink you often qualify for discounts.
Avoid accidents and traffic violations The safer you are on the road the lower your premiums.
Keep your credit rating healthy. More insurers are considering a persons credit score when setting rates.

If you have a accident: don't be afraid to play hardball, negotiate your claims, auto insurance companies try to give you as little as possible.