6 tips for saving money on your car insurance

You may have come to accept that your car insurance is simply expensive, and that you will have to begrudgingly deal with that fact of life for as long as you sit behind the wheel. This isn't always the case though, as there are ways to bring the cost of your insurance down while maintaining adequate coverage. Below are several things you can do to save some monthly money on your car insurance payments.

Begin thinking about insurance before you buy a new car
Insurance policies change with the make of the car, so why wouldn't you let insurance factor into your decision on what model vehicle you purchase? Many people, according to Kelley Blue Book, simply accept that high insurance will be a part of the expenses of owning a car, and don't consider all that much how the type of car will raise or lower insurance rates. This will be the first step to lowering rates, as the car you purchase will provide a foundation for the size of your premium.

Be good with your bills
Just like mortgage rates, Bankrate reports that car insurance rates can rise and fall with your credit score. You may not have considered it before, but car insurance companies do take a look at your credit score, and if you can't pay your other bills they likely won't expect you to be on time with your car insurance payments either. If you're responsible in your personal life, they assert, then you will be less likely to file claims.

Combine policies with a single carrier
If your home insurance is provided through a different carrier than your car insurance then you could be paying more than you actually need to. Many companies offer discounts to consumers who have multiple policies with them. Multilining, as stacking discounts with a single carrier is called in the industry, you can drive down rates for car insurance in addition to other policies.

A higher deductible can save money in the long run
Raising your deductible may be a bad idea if you're getting into accidents all of the time, but for relatively safe drivers this method can save you hundreds over time. While you will have to pay more for accidents, collision and comprehensive coverage costs can drop anywhere from 15 to 40 percent with a higher deductible, according to Kelley Blue Book. Bankrate suggests that since a higher deductible is a gamble, an good strategy is to take annual savings earned as a result of the boosted deductible and start an auto emergency fund.

Try carpooling to keep your mileage down
Driving less means paying less, and if you and your coworkers begin carpooling theres a good chance your rates will go down. By reducing your time spent behind the wheel by segmenting the work week into driving shifts you can save up to 25 percent on your car insurance.

"Most companies track mileage," Art Scott, a retired insurance agent, told Bankrate. "Anything under 7,500 miles is considered the pleasure rate - and that's the lowest. Up to about 13,000 miles is a medium rate, and anything over that is a higher rate."

Make sure you're not paying for coverage that you don't need
If you've had your car for a while, chances are you don't need to be paying for the same coverage as you would if your car was brand new. It is a good idea to check the value of your car and make sure that you're paying for only what you need and nothing else. Initial rates for a car are generally higher - you could have more collision insurance than necessary - in fact you may not need it at all. For older models, comprehensive coverage should be enough.