| Here are 14 tips that can save you some serious | | | | 8. Buying your auto insurance and your home |
| dough. | | | | insurance from the same place can save you 10 |
| 1. Use the local auto repair shop to save on routine | | | | percent or more with some insurers. Almost every |
| and unexpected auto maintenance. Dealerships are | | | | insurer has multi-policy discounts. |
| very expensive and frequently try to make repairs | | | | 9. If you drive less than a certain amount of miles |
| that are not immediately necessary. | | | | per year, you may qualify for a low mileage discount. |
| 2. Change your oil at least twice a year. Most auto | | | | 10. If you have a teen driver who has a B average |
| manufacturers recommend changing your oil every | | | | or above, you may qualify for an additional 10-20 |
| 7,500 miles, not every 3,000 miles as the sticker | | | | percent off your insurance that includes the teen |
| from the quick lube shop recommends. Generally you | | | | driver. |
| will want to have your oil changed before the | | | | 11. Many insurers will give you a discount on your |
| summer months and before the first snow fall. | | | | premium if you take an approved defensive driving |
| 3. Use synthetic oil over conventional car oil, you will | | | | class in your area. |
| get more mileage out of your car. | | | | 12. Don't let your gas tank needle get to empty. |
| 4. Shopping for the new tires, go online first. You can | | | | When your tank runs on fumes, sediment collects at |
| save some serious money by buying your tires online | | | | the bottom of the fuel tank over time and can clog |
| and having them delivered to your local garage. | | | | or damage parts. |
| 5. Maintain a good credit score. Many car insurers | | | | 13. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Properly |
| apply your credit information into a formula to | | | | inflated tires not only save gas, but your tires will |
| determine what your "insurance risk score" is. This | | | | wear more evenly and will be less likely to fail at high |
| score determines how likely you are to file a claim. | | | | speeds. |
| The lower your credit score, the higher your | | | | 14. Finally, make sure you tighten your gas cap. If |
| premiums will be. | | | | you don't tighten your cap to the second click, gas |
| 6. Some insurance give reduced rates for people in | | | | can evaporate. With the high cost of gas these days, |
| certain low-risk professions. Check with your insurer | | | | who can afford to see their money go up in fumes? |
| to see if your profession qualifies. | | | | With the ever increasing cost of automobiles and the |
| 7. Automobiles older than 5 years which are not | | | | associated expense of maintaining those vehicles, |
| worth much more than $5,000 may not need collision | | | | who doesn't need some advice on ways to save |
| or theft insurance. This could reduce your monthly | | | | money with the responsibility of auto ownership. |
| premium significantly. | | | | |