This is a three part series on some of the ways you can lower your car insurance premiums to a more manageable level.

You can also save on combined policies – either by having your spouse use the same company or by using the same company for all of your insurance needs – this will reduce your payments. You can also save 25-30% on things like an alarm system, ABS brakes, airbags, etc. – things that make your car safer or easier to track if stolen (like LoJack or OnStar.) Anything you can do to make your car safer will ultimately pay off for you in the end.

Some companies will get special rates at insurance companies – check with your employer to see if they participate in any sort of plan. You can also sometimes get a discount if you work for a specific profession – like the military – so discuss with your insurance agent what you do for a living as well. Of course, it goes without saying that if you are a professional racecar driver, you might end up paying more!

You can increase your deductible so that if you are in an accident you will pay less. The difference between a $250 and $1000 deductible could be significant. It just depends on whether you want to pay more if you have an accident, or if you want to pay more each month or year.

How far you travel will also have a determination on your rate, as the longer the distance you travel the more likely you are to get in an accident, so if you get closer to home you could get a “driving for pleasure” rate which could save you as much as $100 off of your policy.

Next time we will discuss driving records, classes, how you pay, and speaking with an agent.

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