As 2009 comes to a close, many Americans are resolving to stretch their paychecks even further in 2010. How can you get a discount on auto insurance for the New Year? This list of tips provides some great reminders plus options you might not have considered.

1. Simply get new rate quotes. Even if you don’t take special actions to reduce your insurance rate, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance rates annually. Your rate quotes could fall for a number of reasons, such as a change of residency, a safe driving history, or just because you’re a year older; insurance companies tend to offer lower rates when drivers reach age 25 or 55.
2. Install or activate an anti-theft device. Consider adding a car alarm or other anti-theft device to your vehicle. You’ll be helping the insurance company by giving the car extra protection, so they should offer you a discount in exchange. Check with a few companies to find out if the cost of installing a particular anti-theft device will pay off in the long run.
3. Combine your household’s insurance plans. Many insurance companies offer package deals and discounts to loyal customers. Two types of package deals include multi-vehicle discounts and multi-line discounts. Obviously, multi-vehicle discounts involve insuring more than one car on a single policy. Multi-line discounts involve carrying more than one type of insurance with the same provider. An example is combining car, boat, and home insurances.
4. Go green. Ask your car insurance company if they’ll issue a discount for sending your invoice electronically. They will save money on paper and postage, so you might save money on your policy.

For more ways to save on auto insurance, see the Federal Consumer Information Center’s Consumer Action Handbook.

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