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It costs a lot to get car insurance. No one would argue on that. Without one it would cost you more to drive if you had an accident. Still, you don't want to pay too much for it. So how can you save money on your car insurance premium?

Check several insurance companies. Don*t fall for the headline that says they got the best insurance deal in town. Find out for yourself by shopping around. It would be to your advantage to compare at least 3 quotes.

Find out how the prospective company is doing financially. Does the company have any complaints against them? What is their reputation for customer service? A good indicator of this could be seen on your initial visit. For example, did they take time to answer your questions or did they try to cut you off fast? Taking note of these things could save you some regrets later on.

Check insurance costs for the car you intend to buy. Your premium will be based on the particular cars sticker price, repair expenses, overall safety record, as well as potential theft possibility. Consider features that reduce the risk of injury or theft, such as daytime running lights or anti-theft equipment. Because the car insurance company may offer you premium discounts for a car with those features.

Consider paying a higher deductible. It may sound odd. But if you increase your deductible from $300 to say, $500, the cost of your collision and comprehensive coverage would be reduced anywhere from 15 to 30 percent. A $1000 deductible would save you even more, perhaps more than 40 percent.

Reduce coverage on your older car. The rule of thumb is to multiply your premium by 10. If your car is worth less than that total, think about dropping collision and comprehensive. You can check your cars value online at www.kbb.com.

Insure your home and car at the same company; you may get a reduction in your premium. And if you have more than one car, that may also get you a reduction. Don't be afraid to shop around.

If you drive far less miles than the average driver, ask about Low Mileage Discounts. The car insurance company may offer you for low-mileage discounts.

Other discounts may also be available. If you have no accidents or moving violations for a number of years, you can get a discount. A defensive driving course may also win you a discount.

Remove unnecessary items from your policy. Many lenders will attach items like roadside help to your loan package. This is a good thing, but most car insurance companies already offer this on a full coverage policy. You need full coverage when financing a new car.

As you can see, there are quite a few options for getting that premium down.

A final word; what works for you over the next few years may not work later, depending on your situation. Don't be afraid to be an alert consumer and reconsider your needs on occasion.