Getting afforadble auto insurance rates is on a lot of people's mind in the United States. In most states, it is mandatory to carry auto insurance. Not doing so can lead to serious consequences: fines of 1200 dollars or more, loss of your driver's license, or even jail time. For this reason, it's often difficult to find affordable auto insurance rates. The insurance companies know you don't have the option of not buying insurance at all, so they often charge high prices.

The good news is that there are some things you can do to lower the cost of your auto insurance. Most companies charge less for older or less sophisticated cars. The reason for this is simple: fancy cars cost more to repair in case of accident, so they therefore cost more to insure. If you happen to own a used or high-mileage car, you will probably have a more affordable insurance rate than if you own a 2009 Lexus.

Of course, it's not practical to go out and buy a used car just to get lower insurance rates. But if you are renewing your policy and haven't had to make a claim on that Lexus or other newer car, your insurance company may give you a discount for your non-use of the policy.

Many insurance companies also give discounts for anti-theft measures. For example, if you park in a secure garage or have an alarm installed in your car, your insurance company may lower the rate. The reason for this is that your car is less likely to be stolen, which is the most expensive claim covered by insurance.

Another trick is to increase the deductible. The higher the deductible, the more you will have to pay out of pocket for repairs. However, you will pay less for your insurance policy itself. If you do not have to make claims very often, the savings are worth it.

Finally, keep your credit history clean. The better your credit, the lower your insurance rate. When you pay for insurance on a monthly basis, you are promising the insurance company to pay off the entire policy within six months. If your credit is good, the company may charge you less per month because they trust you more.

How to get affordable auto insurance rates? It can be tricky to find affordable auto insurance, but there are plenty of discounts out there if you know where to look. Talk to your insurance agent about these and other discount programs and begin saving on your insurance.