Anyone who has been affected by a car accident knows the value of auto insurance. But it’s a tricky thing to shop for because you’re trying to reconcile a cost spectrum with the fact that you hope to never have to use it. How do you balance monthly premiums with the worst-case scenario of totaling your car in an accident?

A perspicacious consumer can find a few ways to whittle away at the sometimes surprising costs of auto insurance. Discounts in auto insurance prices are not merely tied to unchangeable things like a driver’s age or circumstances such as marital status or the city one lives in. There are concrete ways to take the edge off your insurance costs. Take the following helpful tips into consideration when seeking out the best deal in an auto insurance policy.

1: Choose Your Vehicle Wisely

Getting a killer deal on a fancy new car is certainly exciting, but it’s best to look at potential insurance premiums before signing a check. One way to get a head start is to compare different car models online and then ask an insurer for quotes on each. Rates can vary significantly, even among cars of the same make. Since replacement costs are factored into premiums, it’s essential to consider not only how expensive the car would be to replace, but also the parts and labor costs involved in a repair.

The car’s safety record could also come into play, as well as the probability of theft (who doesn’t have a friend whose Honda Accord was stolen in broad daylight?). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has created a handy safety rating tool to see where specific models are ranked. Two aspects of safety are considered: 1. crash-worthiness, and 2. crash-avoidance/mitigation. The former estimates how well a vehicle protects passengers in an accident, while the latter considers technology which is aimed at preventing accidents or at least lessening the severity. Larger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs tend to have the lowest injury claims. Don’t be surprised if your smaller car has a higher premium! Companies will occasionally offer discounts for car features, which reduce the risk of passenger injuries, damage, or theft. If they don’t offer it upfront, be sure to ask.

2: Contact Multiple Insurance Agents Or Companies

Insurance rates aren’t set in stone, so a smart consumer will shop around to different price-competitive companies. Try to obtain 3–5 price quotes, and don’t be afraid to let an agent know that a competitor offered a lower price for a similar package. There are multiple factors involved when it comes to pricing an insurance policy, so various agents will arrive at different amounts. Figure out whether it is an independent agent working with several companies or a direct-to-consumer larger company. Both types can have benefits, so it’s wise to seek out various rates from many types of insurers. Pay particular attention to the fine print of policies — reputable insurers will provide an itemized list of coverages and costs.

If you’d like to take the initiative, you can also compare insurers online fairly easily through sites such as insure.com. After getting an idea on some quotes, you can find an agent to answer any additional questions. If you’re ever feeling lost, ask friends for recommendations.

3: Trim Payments By Reducing Coverage on Older Cars

Do you spend much time reviewing your auto insurance policy to see if you have the best and most affordable coverage for your needs? Remember, your car gets older and depreciates with each successive year. That should apply to your insurance rates as well. It pays to review your policy before renewing to make sure your insurance policy matches not only your needs, but your budget. For instance, if your car is nearly a decade old, it could be wise to drop comprehensive coverage. Check the Kelley Blue Book value of your car to estimate the threshold of coverage. A rule of thumb is that if the car is worth less than ten times the yearly premium you are paying, the coverage might not be worthwhile to you in the end. Discuss this with the insurer — you aren’t getting rid of the whole policy, just trimming the excess from it. You can purchase liability-only insurance so that you can cover any bodily injury or property damage that you might cause in an accident. There is some middle ground between being under-insured and over-insured, so talk with the insurer to see what works best for your situation.

4: Report Reduced Mileage And Other Significant Changes

The average driver logs more than 13,000 miles in their car per year, and companies base their costs on this average. Therefore, if you drive less, you’re less likely to get in an accident, and many insurers will offer a low-mileage discount — often to those who drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year. Tell the insurer why you will drive less mileage (carpooling to work, using public transportation a few times per week, retirement, a shortened work commute, cutting down weekend travel, etc.)

Other changes— even small ones like adding anti-theft or safety equipment to the car — will help, so it’s worth mentioning. Those with children on policies can seek a discount if the child is in college 100+ miles away and carless. Sometimes a company will even reward students with good grades.

If you trust that you are a cautious driver, you can consider accepting a higher deductible in order to reduce your premium. This change would save you money on a monthly basis, but be forewarned that you would pay more out of pocket if there is a claim from you or against you.

5: Avoid Mistakes And Drive Safely!

The last tip seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. Make a conscious effort to always stay alert and drive cautiously. Do all you can to avoid accidents and even the smallest traffic violations and you might be rewarded with insurance discounts. Even good driving is expensive, but bad driving will cost you dearly. The best and surest way to lower premiums is to be safe on the road. Single males younger than 25 can expect to pay higher premium rates since statistics have shown that they’re involved in the most accidents. Tough luck for you conscientious 23-year-olds.

Drivers who display continual clean records pay the lowest rates. Prepare or practice — if you’re a new driver, take a driver-training course. This is likely a requirement for a license, so be sure to pass with flying colors. If you’re an older driver, especially if your vision is getting worse, take a refresher course or a defensive-driving course. Showing the insurer you are taking an active role in becoming a better driver could help lower your insurance price.

Between following these tips and staying vigilant on the road, you might just save enough money to spring for the heated seats on your next car.

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