• You can save money and still purchase the auto insurance coverage you need.a car in a car show image by Gary from Fotolia.com
  
  For most people, insurance is a necessity, but affording it isn't always easy. Shopping around can help you find the providers with the lowest rates, but there are several other ways to save money, if you just know what to ask for. While you probably know maintaining a good driving record is key to getting the best rates, you may not know about the smaller lifestyle factors that can influence your premiums.
  
  

Combine Insurance Products

• Most providers offer discounts for purchasing multiple services, for example, both auto insurance and home insurance or life insurance. They may also provide a discount for insuring multiple vehicles. According to the SmartMoney article "Six Ways to Save on Auto Insurance," that discount could be as much as 10 to 20 percent.
  
  

Driver Education Discounts

• Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who have successfully completed driver training courses, whether it's the beginners driver's education classes most teenagers take, or more advanced training, such as defensive driving.
  
  

Pay in Full

• You can often save money by paying your premiums up front -- for example, six months at a time, instead of paying in quarterly or monthly installments. Some insurers offer discounts for paying up front, while others charge fees for paying in installments, with the fees increasing the smaller the installments.
  
  

Purchase a Low-Risk Car

• Your insurance rates are affected partly by the make and model of car you drive. According to the MSNMoney article "12 Secrets Your Car Insurer Won't Tell You," many insurance providers use a system created by the Insurance Services Office, which ranks a vehicle's safety and theft risk. If you're planning to purchase a new car, you may want to start by investigating which cars cost the least to insure. Some insurers also offer discounts for the safety features on your car, including antilock brakes, airbags and antitheft devices.
  
  

Maintain Good Credit

• Insurers use your credit rating to determine how much your premiums should be, or if they will insure you at all. The lower your score, the greater risk you're perceived to be. SmartMoney quotes insurance agent John Costello who says you could pay 30 to 40 percent more than other customers if you have poor payment records with your other bills. If you know there are problems with your credit, bring your credit up as soon and as much as you can before switching insurance providers.
  
  

Purchase Only the Minimum

• While full coverage offers peace of mind -- you know you'll be covered even if an accident is your fault, or from theft or vandalism -- it may not be worth it if you have an older vehicle. It's likely worth the money for a brand-new or costly vehicle, but if your auto is already older, the added premiums you'll pay may far exceed the money you'd receive if your car is stolen or totaled. In that case, liability insurance may be the only coverage worth the investment.