I’ve been convalescing and recovering from surgery. Some of my reading material has included the Oprah magazine, January 2009 issue. Of course it is filled with advice to boost your health, reduce your stress and ways to protect your money.

In the spirit of new starts, resolutions and looking ahead to a new year I thought we would discuss, of course, our insurance specifically auto insurance—where we are, what we need and how to get there, possibly for less.

There are a number of factors that affect your auto premium including your age, the state in which you live, the make and model of your car, where your car is garaged as well as your driving record. Some things you can do to help lower your premiums:

-Increase your insurance deductible
-Eliminate optional and unnecessary coverages from your policy (i.e. towing
and labor, rental insurance)
-If you drive an older vehicle (valued at less than $1000) you may be able to
afford to repair the vehicle, if necessary, therefore you would be able to
eliminate collision and comprehensive coverage.
-Inquire about discounts (i.e. safety or anti-theft devices, low-mileage)
-Where possible avoid buying vehicle that is prone to theft or is expensive to
repair
-Keep your car garaged or covered
-Establish a good driving record, drive safely and defensively

Bottom line it’s important to shop around for auto insurance coverage. Insurance premiums for the same coverage on the same car can vary widely among different insurers, even in states that regulate auto insurance rates. A good time to investigate alternatives is when your current insurance policy is up for renewal. Of course you can shop and change policies at any time, like now at the start of a new year.

It’s a good idea to get quotes from several reputable companies. Be sure the coverage offered by the insurer you ultimately select, meets your needs. Not sure what you know or don’t know to ask about a perspective insurer? Ask it in the Bella Online insurance forum. It is also important to know if the insurer you’re thinking about has a good track record in the industry (check their status with your states’ department of insurance).