If you own a car, auto insurance is a necessary monthly expense. But it doesn't have to break the bank. There are many things you can do to make sure that you aren't over paying for your car insurance. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind the next time you shop for auto insurance.

Strategy #1: Know All Available Discounts and Use Them

Most car insurance companies will have a variety of discounts they can offer you to keep your premiums lower. Below is a list of many discounts that are available to you. If you qualify for any of these, make sure that they are put on your policy.

• Home-Auto Discount
• Claim-free Discount
• Good Student Discount
• Distant Student Discount
• Home Owner Discount
• Multi-car Discount
• Excellent Credit Discount
• Years License Discount
• Marriage Discount
• High Previous Limits Discount
• Advanced Purchase Discount
• Defensive Driving Course Discount
• Higher Education Discount
• Retired Discount

Strategy #2: Raise Your Collision Deductible

This strategy is only recommended for those drivers who have a lot of driving experience and rarely if ever get into at-fault accidents. Remember, your Collision deductible only applies if you are at-fault in an accident. If you are a very careful driver, you can save money on your insurance by raising your Collision deductible to $1,000, and if you don't get into an at-fault accident in a few years, you've more than made up the money you've saved if you ever do get into an at-fault accident. Before you attempt this strategy, however, make sure you have the financial capability of paying out $1,000 or more if you get in an accident.

Strategy #3: Don't Call Your Insurance Company to Report an Accident Unless You Have To

You might not be aware that even not-at-fault accidents and $0 pay out claims can significantly affect your insurance premiums. I have seen rates go up by more than 30% just because someone had a not-at-fault, $0 claim on their record. When you call your insurance company to report an accident, it goes on your record as a claim even if it was not your fault. If at all possible, try to settle a claim where it is clear the other driver is at-fault without involving your insurance company. Many times this is not possible, but try to keep your insurance out of the picture to avoid $0 pay out claims on your policy.

Strategy #4: Drive Older Vehicles, Less Expensive Vehicles

The newer and more expensive the car, the higher the insurance premiums will be. If your insurance premiums are through the roof, then try to drive a car that is older or less expensive.

You can combine this with Strategy #2 for double savings! If you raise your deductible on an older car, it might be higher than the cost to replace the car. Since collision coverage pays to repair your car, and the deductible covers the full amount you would not receive any benefit. So dropping collision all together on the older cars will save you even more.

Strategy #5: Avoid Tickets and Accidents at All Costs

Tickets and accidents do serious damage to your insurance premiums upon renewal. If you get a ticket or into an accident in a state you don't reside in, it will still show up on your record. Tickets and accidents follow the driver's license numbers, and thus will always be pulled up on your driving record, regardless whose car you were driving and where you it was received. Avoid tickets and accidents at all costs, because nothing raises premium more quickly then a few tickets and accidents.

Strategy #6: Fill Out an Online Quote, and Allow Agents to Shop For You

This is the best strategy to finding the least expensive auto insurance rates out there. This site was created for two reasons, (1) help people better understand what their policy covers, and (2) allow them to shop their rate with a variety of the top carriers in the nation to find the least expensive policy. Up until this point, we have taught you the most important aspects of car insurance. Now is your chance to comparative shop your insurance premiums and see if you can get a better rate. Click here to shop your auto insurance and save!