You can’t drive without insurance in most parts of the country. But, as important as this is, it is also one of those things we’d love to avoid if possible. But since we don’t want to be branded law-breakers we can only look at one more option: Get good coverage at the very lowest rates possible. This article shares five not-so-common ways you can get far cheaper rates without putting yourself at risk…

1. Having an extensive personal injury protection is unnecessary and costly if you have a very good health insurance coverage. For places where an auto policy must include it, make it the bare minimum since you already have this covered in your health policy. Why should you pay higher rates that will NOT translate to more benefits?

2. Given similar circumstances, an insurer will give a female driver a cheaper rate than her male counterpart. This means that it makes sense for you to buy auto insurance in the lady’s name with the guy as the secondary driver. For marriages that don’t have issues with ego and stuff like that, this is a good way to save on your rates.

3. Defensive driving or any other special driving program approved by your insurer will get you discounts. The fact that such training programs make a driver less accident prone is a major reason for this discount. The more your profile is labelled a high risk, the more you’ll lower your rates by taking such a training. Once you get your certification, your premium must be lowered and if you check savings this will bring in, it might run into several hundreds, at least. Therefore, do your best to get trained in defensive driving from a recognized center. And, don’t forget to tell your agent once you complete the course.

4. A lot of folks have lost their cars in the short seconds that they dashed inside to get something while leaving their cars running and unlocked. Don’t make this mistake. The only easier thing for a thief would be if you handed over your keys as a gift. Every thief checks how easy a target is before making a move. An unlocked car with the engine running? What could be easier?

5. Before you get carried away with the few hundreds you will save on a house, check if it will not cost you much more in auto insurance. Do you know also know that homes within the same neighborhood might actually fall into different risk zones according to the insurance industry’s mapping?

Therefore, take your time to ask your agent what effect your new zip code would have on your rates before you make that down payment. This doesn’t come readily to mind when you’re shopping for a new home. Does it?

But think about it: If your new zip code adds up to $275 to your annual auto insurance rate, how much would that amount to at the end of your 30-year mortgage?

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