(ARA) - Does it seem like your auto insurance rates go up every time you sneeze, refill the gas tank or - the ultimate factor - add another driver to your policy? You're not imagining it; numerous factors influence the cost of your auto policy and many of them are simply beyond your control.

What is in your control, however, is to comparison shop for insurance any time one of those factors changes in your life. Yet many people remain loyal to one insurer, no matter how baffled they may be by the fluctuations in their premiums. When it comes to auto insurance, consumers are actually very traditional. About three quarters use an agent and they tend to stay with a carrier, even if they may not be getting the best possible rates.

It's important to know when comparison shopping can save you money. Here are some common instances in which you should re-evaluate your auto insurance coverage:

* You get a speeding ticket or other moving violation. More serious infractions may leave you with little wiggle room when it comes to rates, but a speeding ticket shouldn't automatically send you to the poor house. Many companies offer forgiveness policies and will take your previous good record into account when assessing your premium.

* You've been in an accident. An accident can drive up your premium, even if you were not at fault. Insurance companies are free to raise your rates at the time of your policy's renewal, and are more likely to do so if you filed a claim in the past year. Yet if you were not at fault in the accident, you have a good chance of finding a competing company willing to give you a better rate.

* You either have bought, or are thinking about buying, a new car. The type of car you drive has a big impact on your premium. Vehicles with higher government crash test ratings, safety equipment such as electronic stability control and side-curtain airbags, and that are less likely to be stolen, generally cost less to insure. Still, you'll likely pay a higher premium for a brand new vehicle - no matter how safe - than for a decent used one.

* You're moving. The state you live in, and where in that state, will affect your insurance rates. Each company sets its own rules regarding how location impacts your premium, but you can generally expect to pay more if you move from a rural area to a more densely populated urban one.

* You have a teenager. Even if your teen never gets behind the wheel of your car, as soon as he or she reaches driving age, your carrier will consider your child an additional driver on your policy. Horror stories abound of companies handing parents staggering premium increases because of teen drivers. Still, some companies will give credit for teen drivers who complete professional driver's education courses.

In each of these instances, the policy holder could face a potentially significant premium increase. And in each case, he or she could realize significant savings by comparison shopping. InsWeb customers realize an average savings of $301 on a six-month policy. These are national average savings based on InsWeb six-month policyholder survey data from April 27 to July 4, 2005.

To protect yourself from premium increases due to life changes, comparison shop at www.InsWeb.com. After completing an online quote form, you'll receive multiple quotes from agents in your area as well as large insurance carriers. Often, the call with your first quote will come in as little as five minutes.

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