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8 Ways to Save Money on Auto Insurance

By Maurie Backman - Apr 23, 2021 at 9:00AM
A key fob sitting atop a small pile of one hundred dollar bills and an auto loan application.

8 Ways to Save Money on Auto Insurance

Why pay more for insurance?

If you drive a car, you're no doubt aware that your insurance costs can make owning that vehicle more expensive. Here are a few ways to lower your auto insurance costs -- and keep more of your hard-earned money.

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1. Shop around

Just as it's smart to shop around for a mortgage, so too it is wise to gather quotes from several auto insurers before committing to a policy. But don't just do this when you're first in the market for insurance. Rather, make a point to rate shop every year.

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One car hitting another and causing damage to both

2. Take on a higher deductible

The higher your deductible -- the amount you'll pay each time you submit a claim before your insurer pays its part -- the lower your premiums are likely to be. If you don't drive all that often, a higher deductible could make sense.

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A small house with a front yard in a suburban neighborhood.

3. Bundle your auto and homeowners insurance

If you own a home, using the same company for your auto and homeowners insurance could score you a discount on each. It pays to see what offers you're eligible for.

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Young woman driving car and smiling

4. Drive safely

A history of traffic tickets and accidents could make your auto insurance premiums cost more, while a safe driving history could score you lower premiums. Do your part to practice safe habits -- avoid speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and driving while distracted.

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Man driving a car

5. Take a defensive driving course

You may be eligible for a reduced rate on your auto insurance premiums in exchange for completing a defensive driving course. It pays to inquire with your insurance company, which may also be able to help you find such a course.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

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Credit score options, excellent, good, and fair.

6. Boost your credit score

You'd think that your credit score wouldn't matter when it comes to auto insurance, but surprise -- it does. If your credit score needs work, you can boost it by paying incoming bills on time, paying off some existing credit card debt, and correcting errors on your credit report.

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Person opening car door of black vehicle

7. Invest in anti-theft devices

Anti-theft devices may do more than just prevent your car from getting stolen -- they could also lower your insurance costs. Even if your car has a built-in alarm, it's worth asking your insurer what features you can add to snag a discount.

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Adults and children smiling on a drive.

8. Buy a moderately priced car

It costs more to insure a luxury vehicle than to insure your basic sedan. Sticking to a simple car without too many bells and whistles can help make your auto insurance premiums more affordable. Similarly, you’ll generally pay less to insure a family car, like a minivan, than you will to insure a sports car.

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Smiling woman in a vehicle

Don't overpay for auto insurance

Auto insurance can be a huge expense. These tricks could help you lower your costs -- and free up room in your budget for other important things.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

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