With everything else in mind, have you put your auto insurance on autopilot? It’s not your fault if you have it, lots of people do. In fact, insurance companies count on it. They make more money that way by increasing their rates over time.

But maybe it’s time to review your policy and compare it to other options that could save you substantial amounts of money next year.

Here are 10 tips that can help you make an informed decision about whether you’re paying too much for auto insurance:

1. Ask for higher deductibles. Your auto insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay up front before your insurance company pays its share to repair your damages. Learn how to increase your deductible from, say, $200 to $500; you may be surprised at how much you can save each year. In some cases, you could save 15-30% on the cost of your collision and comprehensive coverage. If you raise your deductible to $1,000, you may be able to lower it even further, perhaps as much as you could reduce that cost by at least 40 percent or more.
2. Eliminate coverage you don’t need. Do you drive an old beater? Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage altogether. Who has to pay a premium higher than the actual value of the car to start with? So go online and see how much your car is really worth. You can do it at Edmunds.com.
3. Don’t Pay for Double Medical Coverage If you’re already covered with a decent health, life and/or disability insurance policy, simply buy the minimum personal injury protection your state requires.
4. Don’t buy a car that thieves like to steal. It is more expensive to insure a car that is popular with car thieves. You can check the statistics on that at ConsumerAffairs.com. And while you’re at it, don’t buy a car that’s expensive to repair.
5. Drive less. Many insurance companies offer a “low mileage discount” to drivers who qualify. So if you can carpool to work, you can save on gas AND insurance. And not only that, you will also experience less wear and tear on your vehicle. Finally, many cities reserve an express lane on the highway/interstate for carpool users, so you’ll get to work faster, too. Call your insurer and find out if you qualify.
6. Security features can also save you money. Did you know that you can often get a discount if you own a car with automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and/or daytime running lights? Also, if you have an approved alarm system or other anti-theft device, you can also save money.
7. Put your teen on your policy. Don’t put teens on your own policy, it costs too much. And another thing about teens: if they maintain decent grades and pass an approved driver training course, you can get a reduced rate for that too. Lastly, if your teen attends college more than 100 miles from home, he may qualify for further discounts if he leaves his car at home.
8. List all of your family’s vehicles with one insurance company. Many insurance companies will be happy to take your premiums for more than one car at a time. And not only that: if you also buy home and/or life insurance, you’ll save even more.
9. Ask this simple question: “What other discounts should I know about?” If you’re over 50 or retired, you may qualify for a discount through organizations like AARP; if you have no accidents or points on your record, you may qualify for a safe driver discount; and/or if you’re a long-time customer of your provider, you could save some money that way.
10. Reconsider before paying extra for roadside assistance. Here’s the thing: Being towed could actually increase your premium and/or affect your eligibility for coverage. And to add insult to injury, you may have had coverage through your credit card. Check it out. Sometimes having roadside assistance through an independent company can be the best deal of all.

conclusion

There you have it: lots of ways to save on your auto insurance. Pick up the phone and check it out. After all, who wouldn’t want to have an extra few hundred (or thousands) of dollars to save or spend?