Your car insurance rates are based on a few factors you can't readily change -- your sex, age, marital status and where you live -- and many that you can -- your credit scores, what you drive, how well you drive and how much coverage you buy.

Here's how to get the best deal.

• Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage caused by a crash if an insurance adjuster determines you were at fault. It does not cover your injuries or those of other people on your policy, or damage to your vehicle. State minimum requirements provide inadequate protection. Buy no less than $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage, or no less than $300,000 if your policy has a single limit. You are personally liable for claims that exceed your coverage, so buy even more if you can, and consider an umbrella policy.

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection covers injuries to the occupants of your car -- and property damage in some states -- if the other driver has no insurance or too little.

• Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle in an accident. If your car is totaled, you'll get what the insurer considers the pre-crash market value of your car, minus your deductible. To get a general idea of what that may be, check the Kelley Blue Book private-party price or visit the Web site of the National Automobile Dealers Association. You can pay extra for replacement-cost coverage for newer cars

• Comprehensive insurance covers theft of your vehicle and noncollision damage to your car, as well as animal collisions. You may be eligible for lower rates if your vehicle has anti-theft and tracking devices.

• Medical or personal-injury protection provides coverage for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. You may not need this insurance if you have good health insurance.

• Twelve states have no-fault insurance, which generally covers the insured person's injuries and property damage no matter who is at fault.

• Consider gap insurance if you owe more on your car than it's worth.