11 Ways to Save on Car Insurance A guide to finding cheap car insurance.

Is this the year you reign in your spending? QuoteWizard's list of over 10 ways to save on car insurance is just the thing to make your 2009 savings goals a reality. Your insurance policy doesn't have to be expensive, and there are lots of easy ways to cut costs without sacrificing coverage. We're hoping the wealth of possibilities will leave you wealthy, or at least better off than you were.

1. Shop With Several Companies
Every insurance company determines their rates differently. Some are dirt-cheap if you have a squeaky-clean record and exorbitantly expensive if you don't. Others are quite the opposite, offering reasonable rates for high-risk drivers and mediocre rates for everyone else. Regardless of your record, it's likely that if you get several difference quotes the prices will be hundreds of dollars apart.

2. Consider Liability Only Coverage
Depending on what your car is worth, it might be prudent to drop your collision coverage and carry only liability insurance. It's a bit of risk, but this adjustment often drops insurance rates by half.

3. Bundle Multiple Polices Together
Sometimes called a multi-line insurance policy, there is great savings in bundling several policies together. Renters will find they can get an inexpensive combination of car and renters insurance together. Homeowners can do the same with their home insurance. The more, the merrier. You'll save money and simplify your insurance bills.

4. Check Rates Every Six Months
The insurance market is extremely volatile and prices are constantly changing. Before writing a check or making a credit card payment for six more months of coverage, savvy shoppers double check with a few other companies to make sure they're still getting the best rate.

5. Pay Your Entire Bill at Once
If you can afford to pay for six months of coverage at a time, do so. Most companies tack on a "convenience charge" or similar fee to each payment you make other than the first. This can be as much as $5 a pop (sometimes more depending on which method you use to pay your bill). Over the course of a year, the so-called convenience of paying in installments will have cost you $50 or more. Don't worry about the commitment of a bulk payment—if you cancel your policy, you'll be refunded the difference.

6. Choose the Right Deductible
You can read our article about choosing the right deductible for more information, but the basic idea is to make it as high as you can possibly afford. Also, remember than your deductible only applies to repairs on your vehicle.

7. If You Have Tickets or Accidents, Find a Forgiving Provider
Not all insurance companies punish drivers with tickets and accidents harshly. Granted, if you've got a rap sheet of moving violations you're probably out of luck, but some insurers are willing to look past some scattered incidents and still offer you a decent price for a policy.

8. If Your Record is Squeaky Clean, Reap the Rewards
Just like drivers with a checkered past should find a forgiving insurer, drivers with perfect records should seek out an insurance company deferential to good drivers.

9. Drive a Safe Car
These days, medical bills pile up fast. Insurance companies are much more likely to cut you a deal if your car has as many safety features as possible. Plus, features like anti-lock brakes stability controls help to prevent accidents in the first place.

10. State Accurate Mileage Amounts
If you drive infrequently, your insurance rates should be a lot less than people who put over 10,000 miles on their cars each year. If you've switched jobs and your commute has gotten shorter (or perhaps you're using an alternative form of transportation), make sure your insurer knows about it.

11. Look for Other Discounts
Don't think you're eligible for any discounts? You might be surprised. Insurance companies offer discounts for a host of other reasons such as:

• Good Student Discount
• Senior Discount
• AAA Membership
• MENSA Membership
• Defensive Driving Course Graduates
• Membership in a Fraternity or Sorority
• Low-risk Occupations

If you're serious about saving money on your car insurance, there's probably a way to significantly cut your costs. When speaking to an agent, make sure he or she is working as hard as possible get you the policy you need at a price you can afford.