Aside from avoiding being in an accident, there are ways in which car insurance rates can be kept low. However, you sometimes have to be the vigilant one when it comes to finding ways to keep your rates low. In other words, you have to remind the car insurance company that there has to be some way within their system that will allow you to keep a few more bucks in your pocket. This is usually what prompts them to look and see what it is they can do for you, especially if you tell them that another company has got a knockout deal that you would love to take advantage of. That will usually get them up on their toes and make them look for a solution for you.

Discounts

Insurance companies have discount programs for individuals who meet certain criteria. These discounts can usually save around 10% on a policy and they can be stacked. What that means is that multiple discounts can be applied to the same account. Now you're probably wondering how the insurance companies can still insure a vehicle if the policyholder qualifies for so many discounts. Well, that is their secret, but the truth is that they do have these things to help you save money. Many people take advantage of them and many fail to. It isn't because the insurance company doesn't want their policyholders to save money. Sometimes they simply don't think about it when the policy is being opened. If they do mention certain discounts to you, they still may not be listing them all.

Below is an example of some of the discounts you can take advantage of:

• Good student discount: This discount applies to college students who maintain a certain grade point average. If you are a parent with a teen driver on your insurance, you can also use this to save some money. You simply bring in grade reports every quarter or semester. Grades have to remain satisfactory in order to keep the discount. If grades drop, the discount is lost. If they go back up, the discount can be reinstated.

• Multi-line discount: This is when you have more than one policy on your account. You might have your homeowner's insurance, life insurance, and car insurance on the same account. Then again, you may have more than one car on your auto insurance and a life insurance policy. The combinations can go on and on and usually involve up to three accounts.

• Automatic debit: This is when you authorize the insurance company to take your payment out of your checking account at the same time each month. This usually saves a few bucks each month.

Common sense

As stated before, maintaining a good driving record can keep car insurance rates low. You can also keep your rates low by not buying new cars for teenagers in your home. You can also be mindful of the insurance rates on any new cars that you are considering. Always call your insurance company and get a quote on cars you are interested in buying. It is amazing how often insurance rates determine whether or not a person purchases a certain vehicle. By doing this, you can save yourself a lot of money. If it is not necessary for you to have the car with the higher insurance rate, then it is feasible for you to buy the other car that has the better rate.

By asking your insurance about any discounts you may qualify, being mindful of the types of vehicles you purchase, and driving as carefully as possible, you can secure the lowest insurance rates and keep them that way.