How to lower your car insurance
By Colson · Updated June 13, 2026
The fastest ways to lower car insurance are to compare quotes from several carriers, raise your deductible, bundle auto with home, and claim every discount you qualify for. Rates for the same driver vary widely between insurers, so shopping around usually saves the most.
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Estimate your car insurance cost →Why does comparing quotes save the most?
Each insurer weighs your age, location, vehicle and record differently, so the same driver can get quotes that differ by hundreds of dollars a year. Getting several quotes for identical coverage is the single highest-impact step — and it's free.
Which discounts should you ask for?
Common discounts include multi-policy (bundling auto and home), multi-car, safe-driver, low-mileage, good-student, paid-in-full, paperless, and defensive-driving course completion. Many go unclaimed simply because drivers don't ask.
Usage-based or telematics programs can reward safe, low-mileage driving with meaningful discounts — worth considering if you drive carefully and not too much.
Should you raise your deductible?
Raising your collision and comprehensive deductible (say from $500 to $1,000) lowers your premium, because you're taking on more of the first-dollar risk. Only do this if you have the savings to cover the higher deductible after a claim.
What not to do
Don't drop liability limits to the bare state minimum just to save money — minimum coverage can leave you personally exposed after a serious accident. Lower the premium through discounts, deductibles and shopping, not by under-insuring your liability.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get car insurance?
Compare quotes from multiple carriers for the same coverage, then stack discounts (bundling, safe-driver, low-mileage) and choose a deductible you can afford. Shopping around typically beats any single trick.
Does bundling home and auto really save money?
Usually yes — multi-policy discounts are among the largest available, often 10–25% — but confirm the bundled total beats buying each policy from the cheapest standalone insurer.
Does my credit affect car insurance?
In most states, yes. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score, so improving your credit can lower your premium over time. A few states restrict or ban the practice.
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