Find Cheap Auto Insurance: 5 Simple Ways to Save

By Robert Lewis, InsWeb.com

Finding cheap auto insurance isn't as hard as you think. Take a look at these five money-saving tips and start saving every month.

A traffic accident occurs about every 5 seconds in the United States. Shop for car insurance online and make sure you're protected.

Insure Your Car and Home/Apartment With the Same Company
Consider a multi-line insurance policy where you purchase both your auto and homeowners or renters insurance from the same carrier. It could save you up to 15 percent on both premiums.*

Take Advantage of Discounts
Most insurance companies provide rate discounts. Some examples include:
- Safe driver
- Loyal customer
- Safe vehicle
- Secure vehicle
- Low annual mileage
It's up to you to make sure you're getting all the discounts you're eligible for, so make sure you ask your company or agent.

Increase Your Deductible
The higher your deductible is, the cheaper your auto insurance rates will be. Increasing your deductible from $250 to $1,000 could save you up to 40 percent on the collision and comprehensive portion of your policy.* The cost of an accident will be that much more expensive, but the savings on your rate could make it well worth it.

Pay Your Policy in a Lump Sum
Extra "convenience" fees are often applied to payments when you split your premium into installments (e.g. monthly, quarterly, etc.). A monthly fee of even $7 can add up to almost $100 a year!

Shop Around and Compare Rates
Your circumstances change all the time, and so will the way auto insurers view you. If you don't compare rates every once in a while, you'll never know if you could find cheaper auto insurance. Drivers who compare rates and switch carriers at InsWeb.com save an average of $301** on a six-month policy.

Put these money-saving tips to good use and find cheap auto insurance today. Get a free auto insurance quote from InsWeb.

Watch this video on YouTube to learn 5 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance.

Learn additional ways to save: Download Find Cheap Auto Insurance (PDF 290K).

*Insurance Information Institute (III.org)

**National average savings information based on InsWeb 6-month policyholder survey data from 4/27/05 to 7/4/05.