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Driving around in a car really costs more and more these days. Besides the high gasoline and maintenance prices, vehicle insurances also can take a solid bite out of your pocket. Your insurance companies charge well, but thankfully there are some ways in which you can help lower your auto insurance premium.

Your insurance premium is computed on the basis of many factors, such as the year, make and model of your vehicle, your driving experience and record, your place of residence, driving habits and even your credit score.

Choose your vehicle wisely.Before you buy your next car, consider that the bigger it is, the higher your insurance will be. Safety devices such as airbags, automatic seat belts, ABS system can qualify you for a good discount. Anti-theft devices (Lo-Jack, VIN etching, passive restraint systems) will also lower your premium. Cabriolets cost more insurance due to the heightened safety risks.

Take care of your credit report.Fixing up your credit report and scores now makes even more sense. Besides all the rest of good benefits (such as lower loan rates, access to larger credit lines etc etc) good credit score can keep your car insurance cost lower.

Shop around.Don’t buy insurance from the first insurance carrier that you get a quote from. Check the competition - most of them offer instant online quotes, which gives you the great option to pick and choose the cheapest one.

Don’t pay too much for that old jalopy. If your car is not that new you may want to drop your collision and/or comprehensive coverages.

Walk more. Walking to the store will not only save you mileage, it will also keep you in good shape and save you gas and engine wear. Besides that, if you drive less miles, your insurance will also cost less.

Find out about other discounts. Some companies offer different discounts that may apply to you: college students may receive discounts for outstanding GPA level, senior drivers can pay less if they qualify for a senior discount and everybody can save 10% by taking a defensive driver course.

More ways to save.Lapses in coverage can cost you more. Think twice before paying installments, because you may be charged additionally for that. Avoiding accidents and driving carefully will end up saving you money and headaches. If you insure more than one vehicle or purchase home insurance with the same company you may also save money. Your employer may be offering reduced rate insurance as benefit.

Tags: insurance | premium | auto | vehicle | car | coverage | defensive driver | vin