If you drive a car, then it's inevitable: you probably have a couple of bad habits. Nobody's perfect and while it's tempting to start multitasking, speed or even try to finish getting ready for work in the car, know that you could be setting yourself up for trouble.

You've been slapped with a fine for a driving infraction — now what? Should you just pay the ticket and forget about it? What about demerit points and how they will affect your driving record, not to mention your auto insurance rate?

With bills to pay and the state of the economy keeping you up at night, you've probably been trying to think of ways to cut down on your monthly costs. You may even be contemplating terminating your auto insurance policy, wondering what will happen if you don't have insurance…

When it comes to understanding the insurance industry in Canada and Ontario specifically, it can get a bit confusing for the average consumer. What organizations are out there? And what regulatory bodies are helping protect your rights as a policyholder?

Most current car models have built-in safety features, but do you know what they are or how they work? What's more, did you know that driving a safer vehicle could mean lower insurance rates?

When it comes to picking a car, safety is usually pretty high up on the list of requirements for consumers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the following 11 new car models made it to the top of the list in their respective categories (based on the 2008 vehicle make):

It's amazing how taking one little step — like comparing your current car insurance rate against the rates from over 30 top Canadian insurance companies by doing just one quote at InsuranceHotline.com — can lead to saving hundreds, even thousands, of dollars annually. This free, quick and easy step can turn into great car-cost savings.

With the recent 2009 Detroit Auto Show being a much more pared-down affair than last year's over-the-top showing, many of us north of the border are curious to see what's going to be offered up at this year's Canadian International Auto Show.

With the auto industry rapidly changing, and many automakers finally going the hybrid route, lots of drivers are opting to keep their current vehicle for one more year to see what 2010 will have in store. If you're part of the growing trend of people holding out for a 2010 car purchase, know that you can make it a good year for your current ride — and your insurance rate — via the following maintenance and efficiency tips:

You've packed your bags, booked time off work, and are ready to hop in the car and travel to spend time with friends and family for the holidays. But have you ever wondered if your car insurance will protect you out of province?