by KYW's Mark Abrams

A report from an online insurance broker finds that car insurance rates are climbing.

The web site Insurance.com says a survey of rate quotes offered by companies to its online customers shows that auto insurance charges climbing nearly four percent in the second quarter of this year. 
 
A spokesman for the web site says it appears that after years of discounts and lower rates, rising costs of accidents -- particularly medical claims and auto parts -- are catching up with the insurance companies. And they’re beginning to pass those costs along to all customers.

Rose of South Philadelphia says it’s just one more blow for struggling families:
 

 “I’m not surprised by anything these days. It’s hard living, it’s hard paying your bills. The money you make isn’t enough to cover everything so it’s not surprising.”

She says that before switching insurance companies, she'll see what her current insurer decides to do.

Jim, also of South Philadelphia, says he’s been satisfied with his insurance company but he has already begun exploring his options:

“My wife and I discussed about shopping around because I’m getting old now, 50 years old now. And they say at a certain age that it comes down a little cheaper and everything. It’s two cars and everything now, and I’ve been checking online a few times. And I see the difference, like maybe, 100 dollars, 200 dollars, which is a lot.” 
  
But Tom of Northeast Philadelphia says he got ahead of the curve. He says he's already done some comparison shopping:

“I did pretty well, believe it or not.”

He says his former insurance company raised his rates, so he switched companies:

"They raised it 40 dollars every six months so I looked around, shopped around. I saved almost 800 dollars.”