12 Ways to Lower Your Auto-Insurance Premiums

Here's how to save on car insurance as rates remain elevated.

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Car insurance rates just had their highest annual increase since 1976, jumping 19% in the last year. And because rates are so high, your car insurance bill is probably one of your largest regular expenses. In fact, Bankrate found that the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,014 per year, and on average, drivers spend 3% of their income on car insurance premiums.

As inflation keeps car insurance rates elevated, it's important to find ways to save where you can. Here are 12 popular ways to help you cut your car insurance premiums every year.

Kimberly Lankford
Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.

With contributions from