Tips on Auto Insurance

•Raise your deductible. If you have a $200 deductible on your policy, raising it to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by up to 30%. Raising your deductible to $1,000 could lower your premium by 40% or more.

•Take advantage of discounts. Many insurers provide a discount teenage drivers with a B average or higher in school,

•Consult your insurance agent before you buy a car . Premiums vary significantly from one type of car or truck to another . Insurers review several factors, including repair costs, the likelihood the vehicle will be stolen and the model's safety record.

•You can check out different vehicles' ratings at the website for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, www.iihs.org.


•If you're considering switching insurers, start looking for a new policy well before your current policy comes up for renewal. Many insurers provide an "early shopping" discount.

•Don't even think about driving without insurance. Driving while uninsured will cost you a lot more in the long run.

•Shop around. You can shop for quotes at websites such as www.insurance.com, www.insure.com or www.esurance.com, or by working with an independent insurance agent.

•For more information, go to the consumer website for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, www.insureuonline.org.