06 9ways1

State Insurance Departments
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CA
CO
CT
DC
DE
FL
GA
HI
IA
IL
IN
ID
KS
KY
LA
MA
MD
ME
MI
MN
MO
MS
MT
NC
ND
NE
NH
NJ
NM
NV
NY
OH
OK
OR
PA
PR
RI
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WA
WI
WV
WY
907-269-7900
334-269-3550
501-371-2600
602-364-3100
800-927-4357
303-894-7499
860-297-3800
202-727-8000
302-674-7300
850-413-3140
404-656-2070
808-586-2790
515-281-5705
217-782-4515
317-232-2385
208-334-4250
785-296-3071
800-595-6053
225-342-5900
617-973-8700
410-468-2000
207-624-8475
517-335-3167
651-296-2488
573-751-4126
601 359 3569
406-444-2040
919-807-6750
701-328-2440
402-471-2201
603-271-2261
800-446-7467
505-827-4601
775-687-4270
800-342-3736
614-644-2658
405-521-2828
503-947-7980
717-787-2317
787-722-8686
401-462-9500
803-737-6160
605-773-3563
615-741-2241
800-252-3439
801-538-3800
804-371-9741
802-828-3301
360-725-7080
800-236-8517
304-558-3354
307-777-7401
www.dced.state.ak.us/insurance
www.aldoi.org
http://insurance.arkansas.gov
www.id.state.az.us
www.insurance.ca.gov
www.dora.state.co.us/insurance
www.ct.gov/cid/site/default.asp
www.disb.dc.gov/disr/site/default.asp
www.delawareinsurance.gov
www.floir.com
www.gainsurance.org
http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/ins
www.iid.state.ia.us
http://insurance.illinois.gov
www.in.gov/idoi
www.doi.idaho.gov
www.ksinsurance.org
http://doi.ppr.ky.gov/kentucky
www.ldi.la.gov
www.state.ma.us/doi
www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/sa/jsp/Mia.jsp
www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance
http://www.michigan.gov/ofis
www.commerce.state.mn.us
http://insurance.mo.gov
www.mid.state.ms.us
http://sao.mt.gov/insurance/index.asp
www.ncdoi.com
www.nd.gov/ndins
www.doi.ne.gov
www.nh.gov/insurance
www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.html
www.nmprc.state.nm/id.htm
http://doi.state.nv.us
www.ins.state.ny.us
www.ohioinsurance.gov
www.ok.gov/oid
www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins
www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp
www.ocs.gobierno.pr/ocspr
www.dbr.state.ri.us
www.doi.sc.gov
www.state.sd.us/drr2/reg/insurance
www.state.tn.us/commerce
www.tdi.state.tx.us
www.insurance.utah.gov
www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi
www.bishca.state.vt.us
www.insurance.wa.gov
www.oci.wi.gov
www.wvinsurance.gov
http://insurance.state.wy.us
When you comparison shop,

inquire about discounts for the
following:*
Antitheft Devices
Auto and Homeowners Coverage
with the Same Company
College Students away from Home
Defensive Driving Courses
Drivers Ed Courses
Good Credit Record
Higher deductibles
Low Annual Mileage
Long-Time Customer
More than 1 car
No Accidents in 3 Years
No Moving Violations in 3 Years
Student Drivers with Good Grades
*The discounts listed may not be available in all states or
from all insurance companies.
The key to savings is not the discounts,

but the final price. A company that
offers few discounts may still have a
lower overall price.
110 William Street

NY, NY 10038
www.iii.org
Reviewed by:
Consumer Federation of America
www.consumerfed.org
Federal Citizen Information Center
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
National Consumers League
www.nclnet.org
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service, USDA
www.csrees.usda.gov
9
Ways to
Lower Your
Auto
Insurance
Costs
One of the best ways to keep your auto

insurance costs down is to have a good
driving record.
Listed below are other things you can
do to lower your insurance costs.
Before You Buy a Car,

Compare Insurance Costs
Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance

costs. Car insurance premiums are based in part on
the cars price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety
record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer
discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or
theft. To help you decide what car to buy, you can get
Shop Around
Prices vary from company to company, so it pays

to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You
can call companies directly or access information on
the Internet. Your state insurance department may
also provide comparisons of prices charged by major
insurers. (State insurance department phone numbers
and Web sites can be found on the back cover.)
You buy insurance to protect you financially
and provide peace of mind. Its important to pick
a company that is financially stable. Check the
financial health of insurance companies with rating
information from the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety (www.iihs.org).
Ask for Higher

Deductibles
Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance

policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles,
you can lower your costs substantially. For example,
increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could
reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost
by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can
save you 40 percent or more. Before choosing a higher
companies such as A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) and
deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to
Standard & Poors (www.standardandpoors.com/
ratings) and consult consumer magazines.

Get quotes from different types of insurance
companies. Some sell through their own agents.
These agencies have the same name as the insurance
company. Some sell through independent agents
who offer policies from several insurance companies.
Others do not use agents. They sell directly to
consumers over the phone or via the Internet.
Dont shop by price alone. Ask friends and
relatives for their recommendations. Contact your
state insurance department to find out whether they
provide information on consumer complaints by
company. Pick an agent or company representative
that takes the time to answer your questions. You can
use the checklist on the back of this brochure to help
you compare quotes from insurers.
pay it if you have a claim.
Reduce Coverage
on Older Cars
Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive

coverages on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10
times the premium, purchasing the coverage may not
be cost effective. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the
worth of cars. Or you can look it up online at Kelleys
Blue Book (www.kbb.com). Review your coverage at
renewal time to make sure your insurance needs havent
changed.
Buy Your Homeowners

and Auto Coverage from
the Same Insurer
Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or

more types of insurance. You may also get a reduction if
you have more than one vehicle insured with the same
company. Some insurers reduce the rates for long-time
customers. But it still makes sense to shop around!
You may save money buying from different insurance

companies, compared with a multipolicy discount.
Maintain a
Good Credit Record
Establishing a solid credit history can cut your

insurance costs. Most insurers use credit information
to price auto insurance policies. Research shows that
people who effectively manage their credit have
fewer claims. To protect your credit standing, pay
your bills on time, dont obtain more credit than
you need and keep your credit balances as low as
possible. Check your credit record on a regular basis
and have any errors corrected promptly so that your

record remains accurate.
Take Advantage of
Low Mileage Discounts
Some companies offer discounts to motorists who

drive a lower than average number of miles per year.
Low mileage discounts can also apply to drivers
who car pool to work.
Ask about
Group Insurance
Some companies offer reductions to drivers who

get insurance through a group plan from their
employers, through professional, business and
alumni groups or from other associations. Ask your
employer and inquire with groups or clubs you are
a member of to see if this is possible.
Seek Out Other

Discounts
Companies offer discounts to policyholders who

have not had any accidents or moving violations
for a number of years. You may also get a discount
if you take a defensive driving course. If there is a
young driver on the policy who is a good student,
has taken a drivers education course or is away at
college without a car, you may also qualify for a
lower rate.

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State Insurance Departments

When you comparison shop,

The key to savings is not the discounts,

110 William Street

One of the best ways to keep your auto

Before You Buy a Car,

Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance

Prices vary from company to company, so it pays

information from the Insurance Institute for Highway

Ask for Higher

Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance

companies such as A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) and

deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to

Standard & Poors (www.standardandpoors.com/

ratings) and consult consumer magazines.

pay it if you have a claim.

Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive

Buy Your Homeowners

Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or

You may save money buying from different insurance

Establishing a solid credit history can cut your

and have any errors corrected promptly so that your

Some companies offer discounts to motorists who

who car pool to work.

Some companies offer reductions to drivers who

a member of to see if this is possible.

Seek Out Other

Companies offer discounts to policyholders who

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