Ten ways to save on your auto insurance

Auto insurance rates fell slightly in 2005, an average of 2 percent or about $60 per household. That’s not much comfort when the cost of gas has gone up and drivers could see that much increase in spending in a month.

Still, there are ways to reduce your auto insurance costs to get the most for your insurance dollar. Here are some suggestions from www.insurance.com.

•Shop around. The time you spend comparing offers can be well worth it if you save hundreds of dollars per year. Before your current policy expires is an ideal time to look around, after you learn of any proposed increase from your current company.

•Raise your deductible. Ask for quotations with deductibles for different amounts from different companies. The savings could surprise you, but be sure you can cover that additional expense in the event of a claim.

•Watch your credit. Studies, if you can believe them, show that a less-than-ideal credit history can make you an insurance risk, and you’ll pay for it in increased premiums. The thinking is that if you don’t pay your other bills, you won’t pay your insurance either.

•Commute or use public transportation to keep your mileage down. You might qualify for a low-mileage discount if you drive less than a certain number of miles in a year.

•Don’t use your car for business. If it’s required for your job, make sure your employer knows you’ll be paying higher premiums.

•Keep your driving record clean. That means no moving violations, drunk driving convictions or accidents for at least three years.

•Consider the cost of insurance before you buy a car. A high-performance car or one on the target list of favorites for thieves is going to cost you more in insurance because of the added risk.

•Where you live affects your premiums. Less traffic and congestion equals lower premiums because it’s perceived that you’ll be at less risk for an accident.

•Park in a garage. You might get a premium reduction if a car is housed in a garage because it’s less likely to be stolen or vandalized.

•Make sure your car has anti-theft and safety devices, such as airbags and alarm.