We're always searching for ways to save money on car insurance. Here are suggestions from the Insurance Information Institute (III).

1. Comparison shop
Prices vary from company to company. Find out the minimum amount of car insurance you must carry and the average premiums in your state. Obtain car insurance quotes from at least three insurers. But don't shop on price alone: Look at the company's reputation, its customer service and the type of coverages it offers.

2. Ask for higher deductibles
When you file a claim, the deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums. For example, increasing your deductible from $250 to $500 on collision and comprehensive coverage could reduce that portion of your premium by 15 to 30 percent. Increasing it to $1,000 can you save you up to 40 percent or more, according to III. Just make sure you can pay it in the event that you need to make a claim.

3. Drop collision and/or comprehensive coverage on old cars
If your car is totaled in an accident, you receive the actual cash value of the car. Although insurance companies use their own criteria to determine fair market value for vehicles, you can get a ballpark estimate from NADA Guides. For older cars, it may not make financial sense to pay premiums over many years to maintain collision and comprehensive coverage. As a general rule, it doesn't make sense to buy comprehensive and collision coverage for a car worth less than $1,000, according to III.

4. Buy a "low-profile" car
Cars that are expensive to repair or that have a high theft rate have higher car insurance costs. Before purchasing a specific car, III recommends you consider both the insurance costs and the overall safety record of the car. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety assigns ratings to cars based on their safety features.

5. Take advantage of low-mileage discounts
Some car insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who put fewer than a predetermined number of miles on their vehicles each year. And driving less makes financial sense. Low-mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who carpool to work, according to III.

6. Consider insurance cost when making a move
Car insurance costs tend to be lowest in rural communities and highest in cities, where more traffic congestion occurs and the likelihood of theft increases.

7. Ask about car-safety discounts
Your insurance agent can tell you know about discounts available to you if you have certain safety features on your car. Many insurers give discounts for air bags, antilock brakes, car alarms and more.

8. Ask about other discounts
Some companies offer discounts if you insure more than one car with the same insurance company. But shop around. It's possible to save more money buying from two different insurance companies despite the multipolicy discount, according to III. You may also get a discount for being good driver, taking voluntary driver-training courses and being a long-time customer. Plus, remember good-student discounts when you are insuring a child who drives.

9. Buy your home and auto policies from the same insurer
Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of coverage from them, according to III.

10. Find out about group discounts
Sometimes discounted car insurance policies are available through large employers, professional groups and other organizations.

11. Maintain good credit
Your credit rating may affect your car insurance rates, according to III. Use of credit scores in setting auto insurance prices varies by state and insurance company, but statistics show that drivers with good credit records tend to have fewer accidents.