Here are six tricks I’ve discovered to make sure I’m paying no more than necessary to keep my car’s insurance up-to-date and legal.

1. Report your safety features. Your car insurer learns a lot of information about your car by researching its VIN, but that research may not turn up all the details. When you speak to an agent, be sure to let her know about your airbags, theft deterrents, anti-lock brakes, etc. Updated safety features could help you reduce your premium as much as 10 percent.
2. Choose a higher deductible. In some cases, selecting a higher deductible can save you hundreds of dollars, as long as you don’t make any claims. And be sure to ask your agent about overall coverage levels – depending on laws where you live, you may not need to carry as much as you have.
3. Pull out your résumé. Okay, your work history may not help lower your rates, but your social activities might: getting good grades in school or belonging to certain organizations may qualify you for more affordable coverage. Plus, belonging to AAA or AARP can help.
4. Spend smart. For some reason, certain insurance providers equate responsible borrowing (paying bills on time) with responsible driving. Whether or not this is an accurate assumption, you may be save money by staying on top of bills.
5. Drive smart. This one makes sense: a clean driving record can lead to lower costs. Research driver education classes in your region, attend them and let your insurance agent know: actively pursuing safe driving habits may help lower your rates.
6. Drive a safe vehicle. While “fun” cars may be… well, fun, they can come with hefty insurance costs: sports cars and SUVs tend to have higher premiums because of the cost to repair them and the high risk of theft.

The Bottom Line: Be Assertive

The chances of your insurance agent calling you to ask if you’d like to lower your rates are almost non-existent. Take charge by giving your agent a phone call – even if you can’t think of anything that would qualify you for lower rates, your agent may be able to. And remember, the worst they can say is no.

Don’t let overly expensive insurance rates for you into bankruptcy.

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