How to save on car insurance has always been a topic for discussions. Several websites and search engines provide great tips for saving on car insurance. We have converted all tips into a very easy to remember statement:

Saving on Auto insurance is really very S.I.M.P.L.E

Shop Around:

By comparison shopping for auto insurance you can save over 20%. However, this process requires caution. Before you switch, consider the cost of losing any loyalty or good-driver discounts you’ve earned. . If you’re serious about switching, first look into the insurer’s consumer complaint record, which you can do at your state’s department of insurance via the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website. Also be aware that getting a full-fledged quote for coverage may appear on your credit record and your insurance record. If you decide to shop around and want to compare the majors with some locals, go to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America website or InsWeb.com to find someone local to give you a quote

Increase your deductible:

Higher deductible means lower premium: This is a simple equation. Deductible and premium goes in opposite directions. The more deductible you have, the less premium you will pay. If your current deductible less than $500, you’re probably paying a premium for your coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Simply increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by 15% to 30%. How does that translate into actual dollars-and-cents savings? Well, with the average annual premium around $820, that one move could put $123 to $246 back in your pocket. Increase your deductible to $1,000, and we’re talking 40% or more in savings on your premium, or $328-plus.

Remember, the higher your deductible, the more money you will pay out-of-pocket before your coverage will kick in. The cleaner your record, the better your rates.

Multiple Insurance with the same company:

Combining your auto and homeowners coverage with the same company can save you anywhere between 5-25%. Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or more types of insurance. You may also get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce the rates for long-time customers. But it still makes sense to shop around! You may save money buying from different insurance companies, compared with a multipolicy discount.

Professional group memberships can save money too!

GEICO unit gives discounts to members of a number of organizations and associations — including Berkshire shareholders. Alumni associations and other groups often negotiate better rates for members by delivering volume business. So inquire.

Less Driving means Less Auto Premium

According to a SmartMoney survey of major auto insurers, driving fewer than 7,500 miles annually can earn you discounts of 10% to 34% on your premium. Customers whose one-way commute clocks in at less than 10 miles may be eligible for an additional 5% discount at some insurers. Insurers require different levels of proof, ranging from a simple phone call letting them know you’re spending less time behind the wheel to using an electronic mileage/speed diagnostic device.

Every little bit helps: A 10% discount means $82 off the average annual cost of coverage.

Even more savings

According to the Insurance Information Institute, you can save even more from any one or combination of following!!

• Insuring more than one car.
• No accidents in three years.
• No moving violations in three years.
• Drivers over 50-55 years of age.
• Taking a driver training course.
• Taking a defensive driving course (see “More ways to save” below for details).
• Having a car with an antitheft device.
• Having a car with safety features such as air bags, antilock brakes or daytime running lights.
• Being a student with good grades.
• Combining your auto and homeowners coverage with the same company.
• Having college students away from home.
• Being a longtime customer.

The list may seem long, but the savings can stack up significantly. For example, combining your homeowners and auto coverage is often worth a 10% to 20% discount. Young drivers who are students acing their classes could get a 25% break.

By using above tips you can save a ton on Auto and Car insurance!

Annual event proves the economic and environmental impact of car sharing; underscores added health benefits of a low-car lifestyle

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., /PRNewswire/ — Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing service, today announced the results of the 2009 Low-Car Diet, in which more than 250 people around the globe gave up their car for a month, from July 15 – August 15, 2009. After this year’s annual program, 100 participants noted that they planned to stay car-free, compared to 83 who made that same commitment after last year’s Low-Car Diet.

The key findings from this year’s 2009 Low-Car Diet include:

• Economic Impact
  • Respondents spent 67 percent less on vehicle-related costs compared to the previous month when they were driving their personally owned cars

• Environmental Impact
  • 59 percent of the participants reported that the Low-Car Diet encouraged them to make other environmentally friendly changes in their life such as recycling, eating more organic foods and reducing their at-home energy usage (e.g. turning off lights and air conditioning)
  • Participants took 74 percent fewer trips by car and reduced overall vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) by 66 percent
  • Low-Car Dieters also doubled their public transit ridership with a 98 percent increased use of public transportation

• Health Benefits
  • Participants walked 93 percent more and biked 132 percent more, logging a combined total of 8,060 miles by bike during the Low-Car Diet month
  • 47 percent Low-Car Dieters reported losing weight; a total amount of 413 pounds were lost during the program

“Once again, the Low Car Diet results emphasize our mission to enable simple and responsible urban living,” said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. “We congratulate this year’s Low-Car Dieters and honor their ability to apply a ’smart consumption’ mindset to their daily lives – ultimately impacting their own wallets, health and communities.”

The Healthy Side of Car Sharing

Since many 2008 Low-Car Dieters highlighted the health benefits of last year’s program, this year, Zipcar decided to weigh up these findings. As a result, Zipcar confirmed what last year’s Low-Car Dieters suggested – the program helped Low-Car Dieters to shed pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. As they walked and biked – to work, to public transit, to the store, to run errands, to a friend’s place, or sometimes just to be active – Low-Car Diet participants reported feeling healthier, losing weight and having more energy throughout the day.

Participants were encouraged to tap into the health benefits of living without a car by key sponsors and editorial partners who generously supported this year’s Low-Car Diet. Montague Corporation provided an innovative folding bike to one participant in each city; HealthCentral provided fitness and nutrition experts to consult with participants at regional kick-off events; and bloggers from EverydayHealth in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle participated in the Low-Car Diet, sharing their experiences and creating a dialogue.

Two Low-Car Dieters – Evan and Michelle Judson, a married couple with two children, from Portland, Oregon – took their experience to heart, hoping to prove that if they could succeed, anyone could. As a result, they lost a collective 15 pounds and are selling two cars. “We’ve both lost weight, saved money and our children are learning a car-free lifestyle early on, so deciding to sell our two cars was a no-brainer,” said Michelle Judson.

To learn more about participants in the 2009 Low-Car Diet, and to read their blog posts from the past month, please visit zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

About the 2009 Low-Car Diet

Zipcar’s Low-Car Diet is an annual program that gives urban residents the opportunity to try out a car-free lifestyle for one month. Beginning July 15th, more than 250 people in cities in the U.S., Canada and London, gave up their personally owned car for one month, choosing instead to walk, bike, take public transit or Zipcar as necessary. The 2009 Low-Car Diet was supported by national sponsors and editorial partners, including Montague Corporation, HealthCentral.com and EverydayHealth.com.

More information is available at zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

We are really excited about our press release this morning for the re-launch of our newly designed website. The text of our press release is as follows:

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ — In this ailing economy, when Americans are struggling to save every penny, a new, free website – http://www.prundo.com – has been recently launched to help its registered users save money on their auto repairs. The patent-pending website has great tools to help its registered members in deciding where to take their cars for maintenance and repairs.

Prundo.com is like an “Expedia” for auto repair. Based on Web 2.0 concepts and philosophy, Prundo.com will empower its members to make the best choices for servicing and repair needs of their cars. Prundo members can download money-saving coupons for over 30 types of car repair, including brake, oil change, transmission, and tires, for free.

Prundo.com will also offer following benefits to its members:

• View available auto repair shops for the desired service in their zip codes
• Review special offers from the auto service providers
• No need to clip coupons! Get coupons 24×7, whenever they need them!
• Compare costs of desired automobile servicing
• View user ranking/feedback of the auto repair shop
• View distance to the preferred auto repair shop
• Get directions to the preferred auto repair shop

“The mission of our company is to make auto repairs easy for our members and remove any doubts they may have,” said Prundo CEO Alka Gupta. “We want to help our members get better service on auto repairs and save money at the same time.”

There are over 235 million cars in the U.S. Due to the current state of the economy, people are keeping their cars longer (average of 9 years), thereby requiring routine maintenance and repairs to keep their cars in working condition. U.S. car owners spend approximately $800 per car per year, making auto repairs a $250 billion market.

“Prundo is an innovative concept because there are no websites currently available to help consumers compare auto services based on cost, distance, offers/discount and quality of service,” said Gupta. “Prundo.com was launched to fill this gap and provide a logical tool for its members.”

http://www.prundo.com may well be the ticket to relief for all American car owners in this economy, as users have already saved over $17,000 since its launch. The website currently has coupons worth over $150,000. So next time when your car needs a brake replacement or tire rotation or even a simple oil change, give it a try before you go to your mechanic, because you could save some serious bucks.