Get less mileage out of your policy. Many insurers will reduce your premium cost by 5 percent or more if you don't drive your car as much. The rules vary, but putting less than 10,000 or 12,000 miles on your car each year could qualify you for a discount. Use public transportation and calculate the impact on your annual driving mileage. If you can get the mileage down, then call your insurer and get your rates cut.
If you and your partner have two cars but need only one for a long-distance commute, then insure one car for higher mileage and keep the other car's mileage low enough to qualify for a discount.
Check in with your insurer if you've recently retired or have started your own home-based business. Switching your driving profile from "commuting" to "pleasure" will result in a lower premium.
Home in on a discount. It definitely pays to get your auto and home insurance with the same company. This could yield a discount of up to 30 percent on the combined premiums.
Couple up on your policy. Auto insurance is one area where it might not make financial sense to keep your expenses separate from your significant other's. If you combine your auto policies, you could see your total insurance costs drop by 30 percent. If you and your partner aren't married, you will need to have both names on each car's registration to be able to qualify for this discount.
Get defensive. Ask your auto insurer if taking a defensive-driving course will reduce your insurance premium. The American Association of Retired Persons offers a driver safety program, regardless of your age or whether you are a member. Learn more at www.aarp.org/drive.
