We're all looking for ways to reduce the cost of those ever rising car insurance premiums. But have you ever wondered if it is ever possible and do your efforts really work? Apparently so because many major insurance companies will lower your rate if you haven't had an accident or been ticketed in the past three to five years.

Obviously the first important tip is to advise you that you should always drive as though you have several infants in your car. You know how careful you are about driving slower when small children on board. Well insurance companies think that people in general should always drive like that because it greatly reduces the risk of serious accidents. When you're driving so alertly, you're obviously paying more attention to the road and other drivers.

Secondly, you can save yourself some money by raising the level of your deductible.

Foe example, if you have a $500 deductible on your policy, you might want to consider raising it to $1000 if you are one of those careful drivers that I was talking about. By doing this, it could actually reduce the cost of the collision and comprehensive coverage portion by a large percentage which again could save you some money on your car insurance.

Thirdly, look into discounts that may be offered by your insurance carrier. Many insurers provide a discount of up to 15% for teenage drivers with a B average or higher in school. Some also offer a 5% to 10% discount for policyholders who take a defensive driving course. That right there is a big savings. So if you're starting out with reasonable rates then by keeping your record clean of speeding tickets and accidents then you're sure to be among the few who actually can get lower rates.

Here is a good tip to think about. If you're in the market for a new insurance policy, a low-mileage discount is something you inquire about. Definitely let your insurance agent know that you only use your car to go to work which is only about three blocks away from your house. But always make sure you've got your new coverage in place before you cancel your old policy because this will save you money on not being considered a new insurer.

Always shop around and compare rates and services first before you ever just settle on any insurance carrier. It really does matter and that is the key to actually saving your self money. Always get yourself at least three quotes from carriers no matter what state you live in. Remember keep it slow and easy because just one speeding ticket could raise your insurance premium.