You can get cheaper auto insurance rates if you take certain time-tested steps. They've always resulted in lower rates and will also work for you. Here they are...

1. One good way to ensure you get more affordable rates is being careful every time you're behind wheels. It's a good decision to NOT drive at all if you have taken alcohol (even if it's just a sip.

Driving with more than the permissible level of alcohol in your blood stream will make you attract exorbitant rates if you're lucky or be forced to stay without car insurance if luck isn't on your side. Even little things like speeding tickets do add up to make you pay more expensive rates over time. For your safety then and cheaper rates, never break any traffic law no matter how minor you think it is.

2. An outstanding credit rating will show in your favor with respect to your auto insurance rate. A bad credit record will cost you in higher auto insurance rates. This is because insurance providers see individuals who miss payments as reckless and a bigger risk to them. This perception of high risk makes such persons attract very high rates in auto insurance and other insurance policies.

3. We all are aware of the fact that no age group pays as much for auto insurance as drivers who are less than 25. If you fall into this age range you can attract cheaper rates if you keep getting good grades at school.

To enjoy it, nevertheless, you must have a minimum of a "B" grade. For those who make themselves eligible, you can expect discounts of about five percent. Experience has shown insurers that what makes a student keep getting good grades is a level of responsibility which such students also maintain behind wheels. It's quite hard to find reckless young drivers who keep getting excellent grades.

4. Belonging to an auto club could get you a discount with some insurance carriers. Even though you shouldn't expect to get massive discounts for this, every little discount you can get will add up to much when added to other such discounts.

5. Certain vehicles are very expensive to insure. So as you check out the wonderful specs of the car you intend to buy don't forget to ask costs too much to insure. Two factors that will force you to pay more are a car's crash rating and theft rate.

Furthermore, it will also take much more to insure a car that costs a lot to fix or repair. I don't know about you; but it does make sense to choose a comparable car that is less expensive to insure.

6. Do your best to always ensure your policy never lapses. Individuals who let that befall them pay more expensive rates for a long time. It's easy for this to happen to many folks as they are changing to another insurance provider.

One way to ensure you do NOT make this costly mistake is to leave your old policy intact until you've confirmed that the new policy is in full force. Many individuals are paying higher rates than they should simply because of this mistake. So do take care so you don't become one of them.

7. Get and compare auto insurance quotes from many reputable quotes sites. I recommend that you visit not less than five such sites. This simple exercise could easily save you hundreds or even a few thousand dollars if done right.