Updated Jun 17, 2026
Most drivers assume their car insurance bill is fixed, but the gap between what you pay now and what you could pay is often hundreds of dollars a year.
WRAL.com recently reported that the average driver now pays nearly $2,700 a year for car insurance, and that smarter shopping can make a real difference. The story, drawing on Consumer Reports expertise, outlines eight concrete strategies, and the Save Max Quote Index, drawn from 3.3 million+ real quote requests, consistently shows that drivers who act on even two or three of these levers land meaningfully lower premiums. According to WRAL.com, the path forward starts with knowing where to look.
Why your car insurance bill keeps climbing, and what you can actually do about it
Car insurance feels like a bill you just accept. The rate arrives, you wince, you pay.
But accepting the first number your insurer sends is one of the most common and costly mistakes drivers make. Rates vary widely between companies for identical coverage on identical vehicles. That variation is the opportunity.
The strategies covered below are not theoretical. Consumer Reports auto expert Keith Barry is quoted directly in the source, and the advice is specific enough to act on today. Whether you drive a newer vehicle with a loan or an older paid-off car, at least one of the following adjustments is likely to move your premium.
North Carolina drivers, for example, operate in a market where insurer pricing spreads can be especially wide, making active comparison more valuable than in states with tighter regulatory controls.
Should you shop around or stick with your current insurer?
Q: Is loyalty to one insurer actually worth anything financially?
Rarely, according to the source.
The single most recommended first step is working with an independent insurance agent. Unlike a captive agent who represents one company, an independent agent can compare coverage and premiums from multiple carriers simultaneously. That comparison is where the savings begin.
Rates vary widely across insurers even for the same driver profile, the same car, and the same ZIP code. Sticking with your current insurer out of habit, without checking competitors, means you could be overpaying without knowing it.
"Shopping smarter can make a difference.", WRAL.com, reporting on Consumer Reports guidance
The SMQI reinforces this pattern: drivers who request multiple quotes in the same session regularly surface price gaps that justify switching. If you have not compared rates in the past 12 months, that is the first action item on this list.
Which coverage adjustments can cut your premium most?
Q: Beyond shopping around, what specific coverage changes move the needle?
Two levers stand out: your deductible and your collision/comprehensive decision.
Raising your deductible means you accept more out-of-pocket cost if you need repairs. In exchange, your monthly or annual premium drops. The source is clear on one condition: only raise your deductible to an amount you could genuinely afford if something happened. A lower premium is not a win if a $1,500 deductible would create a financial emergency.
The second lever applies specifically to older vehicles.
"As a general rule, if the premium is more than 10% of the car's value, it may be time to consider dropping collision, and possibly comprehensive, too.", Consumer Reports auto expert Keith Barry, via WRAL.com
Collision coverage pays for damage from crashes or hit-and-runs. Comprehensive covers storm damage, theft, and fire. Both cost money every month. If your car's market value has dropped far enough that the 10% rule applies, carrying that coverage may cost more than the protection is worth.
Virginia drivers with older vehicles on the road are a good example of a group where this calculation frequently tips toward dropping one or both coverages.
How bundling, discounts, and telematics stack up
Shopping and coverage adjustments are the structural moves. These are the add-on savings layers that stack on top.
| **Bundling home + auto** | Buy both policies from the same insurer for a multi-policy discount | Confirm the bundled rate beats buying separately |
| **Defensive driving course** | Complete an approved course to earn a premium discount | May need to repeat every few years to keep the discount |
| **Telematics / driving monitor** | Allow insurer to track habits via app or plug-in device | Savings can be significant; privacy trade-off required |
On telematics specifically, Consumer Reports offers a nuanced view. The savings potential is real. But drivers should be comfortable with the fact that their insurer is monitoring their acceleration, braking, speed, and driving times. That is the trade-off. If you drive conservatively and are comfortable with the data sharing, telematics programs can be a straightforward way to lower your bill.
Defensive driving discounts may require periodic renewal. Check with your insurer on the course frequency requirement before enrolling, so the savings do not quietly expire.
When life changes can quietly reshape your rate
This section covers one of the most overlooked categories of car insurance savings tips: the events in your personal life that directly affect what you pay.
Consumer Reports, as cited by the source, flags four specific life changes that should prompt a call to your insurer:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Death in the family
- Removing a teen driver from the policy
Each of these can change your risk profile in the insurer's system. Many drivers simply forget to report them, and pay rates that no longer reflect their actual household situation.
The most striking example in the source involves teen drivers. Removing a teen driver from a policy could save some families up to $2,000 a year. That is not a marginal adjustment. That is a budget-significant change sitting unclaimed because no one made the update.
If you have experienced any of the four life events above and have not notified your insurer, that phone call or online update is likely the fastest money you can recover.
Georgia drivers with young drivers on their policies, for instance, operate in a market where teen surcharges are consistently among the higher line items on a premium statement, making the removal update especially valuable when that driver ages off or relocates.
Should you file that claim, or just pay out of pocket?
Q: If I have a minor fender bender with no other driver involved, should I use my insurance?
Not automatically.
The source makes a pointed recommendation here: think carefully before filing a claim for minor damage, especially for a single-car incident. Paying out of pocket for a small one-car fender bender could help you avoid a future rate increase.
The math matters. A modest repair bill paid directly might cost less than the cumulative rate increase triggered by a filed claim. Insurers treat claims as risk signals. Even a claim you "win" can push your premium up at renewal.
This is not an argument against having insurance. It is an argument for treating insurance as protection against significant financial loss, not as a reimbursement mechanism for every small incident.
Before filing any minor claim, consider the repair estimate against what a rate increase might cost you over two or three renewal cycles.
What this means for you
Start by calling an independent agent or comparing quotes online this week, rate differences between insurers are real and often substantial. Check whether the 10% rule applies to any older vehicle on your policy and, if so, price what dropping collision or comprehensive would save you annually. Report any life changes, marriage, divorce, a teen driver removed, to your insurer immediately, since these updates can reduce your premium without any other action. Finally, evaluate telematics and bundling as secondary layers once the structural changes are in place.
FAQ
How much can I save by raising my deductible?
The source does not specify a precise percentage, but the principle is direct: a higher deductible lowers your premium. The key check is whether you can afford the deductible amount if you need to use it. Choose a number that provides genuine savings without creating a financial hardship in a claim scenario.
What is the 10% rule for dropping collision and comprehensive?
Consumer Reports auto expert Keith Barry, as reported by WRAL.com, explains it this way: if your annual premium for collision coverage exceeds 10% of your vehicle's current market value, it may be worth dropping that coverage. The same logic can apply to comprehensive. This rule is most relevant for older, paid-off vehicles.
Do I need to retake a defensive driving course to keep the discount?
Yes, in many cases. The source notes that you may need to repeat the course every few years to maintain the discount. Check with your specific insurer on their renewal requirement before enrolling, so you can plan accordingly.
Is it safe to use a telematics driving monitor to lower my rate?
It depends on your comfort level with data sharing. Consumer Reports, as cited in the source, acknowledges that savings can be significant but notes that drivers should be comfortable with the privacy trade-off. The device or app tracks your driving habits and shares that data with your insurer.
How much can removing a teen driver save on my policy?
According to WRAL.com, removing a teen driver from your policy could save some families up to $2,000 a year. If a teen on your policy has moved out, purchased their own policy, or no longer drives your vehicle, notify your insurer promptly.
About Aaren Ramon
Aaren Ramon is a Senior Analyst at Save Max Auto and owner of Elite Shield Agency. He covers carrier moves, regional insurance markets, and consumer-impact reporting from the agency-owner perspective. Read more from Aaren Ramon →
Edited by Brooke Grissom.
Methodology
This article is grounded in the source linked above. Save Max Auto data points referenced here are drawn from the Save Max Quote Index (SMQI), a proprietary instrument reflecting 3,364,317 real consumer quote requests submitted to savemaxauto.com. State and carrier rankings reflect the lifetime dataset; year-over-year shifts reflect a rolling 12-month window. The index is refreshed monthly. External authority figures referenced (NAIC, NHTSA, state regulators) reflect the most recent public data releases available at time of writing.
Sources
- Primary source: WRAL.com, "8 ways to save on your car insurance bill"