If you own and drive a vehicle, in most states it's the law to have auto insurance. You can shop around and compare prices from various insurance companies, but you should also ask about available discounts that could save you money on your auto coverage. The following checklist provides discounts you can ask about when shopping for affordable car insurance, but the availability of discount auto insurance varies by state and company.

Discounts for Safe Drivers

If you are a safe driver, and you have avoided having an automobile accident or any moving violations for three years, you may be eligible for a safe-driver discount.

* Accident free for three years

* No moving violations in three years

Discounts for Safe Cars

Many insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders whose cars came equipped with certain safety features. These features reduce the risk of injury and theft; therefore, reducing the cost of auto coverage.

* Air bags

* Anti-lock brakes

* Daytime running lights

* Anti-theft device

Discounts for Students, Adult Seniors, and Others

Car insurance for young drivers is often problematic, but full-time students who meet age and GPA requirements can sometimes get lower auto insurance rates. These qualifications vary by company and state. For example, Allstate (www.allstate.com) requires full-time students to be 25 years old or younger and unmarried to receive the discount, but in some states, the age limit is 21. College students who are at least 100 miles away from home are often eligible for auto insurance discounts. If you're a driver between 50 and 55 years of age, retired or a senior adult, you may be eligible for discount auto insurance. And, taking a driver training or defensive driving course is another way you may qualify for a lower insurance cost.

* Student drivers with good grades

* College students away from home

* Drivers 50 to 55 years of age

* Adult seniors

* Driver training course

* Defensive driving course

More discounts

Other things that qualify for auto insurance discounts include paying higher deductibles, having low annual mileage, buying auto and home insurance with one company and staying with one company long-term. Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org) suggests that increasing your deductible to $500 could reduce your premium by 15 to 30 percent. Increasing the deductible to $1,000 can save you 40 percent or more. And, if you are a low-mileage motorist, your insurer may offer a low-mileage discount. These discounts usually apply to drivers who carpool. Many insurance companies will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them, such as homeowners or business auto insurance. If you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company, you may receive a multi-policy discount. Insurers sometimes reduce premiums for long-time policyholders.

* $500 deductible

* $1,000 deductible

* Low annual mileage

* Auto and homeowners coverage with the same company

* More than one car insured with the same company

* Long-time customer

You might be surprised that so many insurance companies provide all kinds of ways for you to receive discounted auto coverage. Remember, though, the key to savings is ultimately the final price, not the discounts.