If you have a car, you need insurance for it! The world of insurance, however, can be murky and difficult to understand, much less navigate – that’s why many people avoid thinking about it. Being smart about it, though, is a better path to making sure your money is well spent. So, you and your car are well taken care of. Try these tips for getting better results with your auto insurance.

When obtaining insurance for a teenage driver, get the best deal by asking for a quote on both adding your son or daughter to your car insurance account and on getting him or her their own car insurance. Adding a driver to your account is generally cheaper, but sometimes a low credit score can make establishing a new account more cost effective.

The less you use your car, the lower your insurance rates will be. If you can take the bus or train or ride your bicycle to work every day instead of driving, your insurance company may give you a low-mileage discount. This, and the fact that you will be spending so much less on gas, will save you lots of money every year.

You may be able to save a bundle on car insurance by taking advantage of various discounts offered by your insurance company. Lower risk drivers often receive lower rates, so if you are older, married or have a clean driving record, check with your insurer to see if they will give you a better deal.

Raising your deductibles will help you save money on your car insurance. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly costs will be. The rate of savings will drop pretty low if you are driving an older car since the replacement cost is not as high as if you were driving a newer car.

Before choosing your next car, make sure you understand what it will do to your insurance policy. We all know that some cars will have a higher premium than others, but most people don’t really know which ones are which. Ask your insurance company for recommendations of cars that are lower risk and thus, have a lower insurance premium attached.

See if your insurance company offers or accepts 3rd party driving tests that show your safety and skills in driving. The safer you drive the less of a risk you are and your insurance premiums should reflect that. Ask your agent if you can receive a discount for proving you are a safe driver.

Anyone shopping for a great rate on auto insurance should investigate the availability of group or affiliate discounts. Employer groups, professional associations and other organizations commonly negotiate special rates for their members, which can result in significant savings. Therefore, it pays to comparison shop with these types of potential discounts in mind.

If you are looking for a way to reduce the premium of your auto insurance, take a certified defensive-driving course. In some states, taking this course can decrease the amount of your premiums because insurance companies feel you are less of a risk if you touch up on your driving skills.

When you are setting up your auto insurance, make sure you remember what financing requirements you may have. There are certain minimums you must keep. If you change them, your account could have problems. It usually has to do with your deductible. So make sure you have it set for the correct amount that your bank requires.

Your car and your health are important to your lifestyle, and that’s why insurance exists at all. With these tips, you can do more than simply let things happen – now you’re educated about auto insurance, so you can feel confident about where your money is going and what exactly your insurance is doing.