Get Every Discount You Can:

Depending on what your insurance company offers, you may be eligible for a number of different discounts, including:

* Safe driver discount: if you have not had an accident or moving violation for a set period of time, or if you have recently taken a defensive driving class.

* Multiple car discount: if you are insuring more than one car with the same company.

* Discount for safety and anti-theft devices: for cars with specific safety devices (such as anti-lock breaks), or theft deterrent systems.

* Low mileage discount: if you drive the car fewer than a specified number of miles each year, typically 7,500.

* Other discounts may be available for long-time customers, students with good grades, college students away from home, and drivers over the age of 50 or 55. Be sure to ask.

Check out the car before you buy.

The cost of your car model, how much it costs to repair, its safety track record and its attractiveness to car thieves all affect your premium. Before you buy your next car, compare the insurance losses for different models you may be considering. This information is available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on its Web site at www.hwysafety.org.