Struggling to Afford Your Auto Insurance? 3 Steps Worth Taking

The average yearly cost of a car insurance policy is $1,547, according to U.S. News & World Report. But the cost of auto insurance can hinge on several factors. These include where you live, the type of car you have, and your driving history.

It's not unheard of for the cost of car insurance to rise over time. So if you're at the point where you're really struggling to keep up with your premiums, here's what to do.

1. See if there's a low mileage discount available to you

A lot of people are putting fewer miles on their cars these days now that remote work is so prevalent. If you largely do your job from home, it pays to let your insurer know how little you're driving. You may be eligible for a low mileage discount that reduces the cost of your premiums.

What's more, some auto insurers offer pay-per-mile programs where your costs hinge on the amount of miles you drive. With these policies, there's always a base price to pay, so you'll need to run the numbers to see if it makes sense to pay on a per-mile basis. To be clear, these programs differ from a low mileage discount, so it makes sense to ask about both.

2. Shop around for rates from different auto insurers

Maybe you've been driving for 10 years and have used the same auto insurance company since getting your license. Unfortunately, you may not be rewarded for your loyalty in the form of lower rates. It pays to shop around with different insurers if your costs keep rising, even if you've used the same company for many years.

Perhaps you're also currently bundling your auto and homeowners insurance policies. Often, that does result in savings. But it's also not a given. So if your rates keep rising, go out and get quotes to see if there's a better deal to be had.

3. Decide whether it's worth it to even have a car

If you're struggling to keep up with your auto insurance and the cost of owning a car in general, then it may be time to ask yourself whether it pays to keep your vehicle or unload it. If you live deep in the heart of suburbia, it may not be feasible to go without a car. But if you're in a smaller city with public transportation, or right outside of one with reasonable bus access, then it may be doable.

Let's say it currently costs you $800 a month to own a car between your auto loan payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance costs. If you find that you really only use your car a couple of times a week, you may be able to get by with a combination of taking the bus and hailing rideshares. And while you might need your car to load up at the supermarket, you might save more by unloading your car and paying up for grocery delivery.

In fact, let's say that in the absence of your car, you end up having to spend $40 a month on bus fare, $200 a month on rideshares, and $80 extra to have your supermarket haul delivered to your door. That's an extra $320 in total, which is less than the $800 you were previously spending.

You shouldn't expect auto insurance to be a negligible expense. But if your costs keep rising, seek out a low mileage discount if you don't drive often and shop around with different insurers. And don't assume that keeping your car is an absolute must, either.