If you own a car, it’s illegal for you to drive it without having it insured. Because of this, everyone on the road should have car insurance, whether they pay for it monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.

While owning and operating a vehicle can get expensive, your insurance costs don’t have to be exorbitant. So to help you be insured without feeling like you’re paying too much for this coverage, here are three tips for saving money on car insurance costs.

Build A Good Driving Record

There are quite a few factors that go into what your car insurance rates will be. One of the main ones that’s completely under your control is your driving record. The better your driving record is, the cheaper your car insurance is likely to be since you won’t be seen as someone who’s risky to insure.

According to Glenn Curtis, a contributor to Investopedia.com, you can prove that you’re a good driver by keeping your driving record clean of things like car accidents, moving violations, and more. But by being a mindful driver and putting yourself safety and security as your top priority when you get behind the wheel, you can see a big decrease in what various insurance agencies will charge you to be insured by them.

Only Get The Coverage You Need

One reason many people feel like they’re paying too much for car insurance is because they are actually paying for more coverage or features than they actually need. But by trimming down what’s covered in the insurance you get, you can save yourself a lot of money.

To do this, Jon Linkov, a contributor to Consumer Reports, recommends that you really consider how much you’re willing to pay each month for coverage on things like liability, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and more. Especially if the car you’re driving isn’t really worth much, you can usually afford to cut down on your insurance coverage to save yourself a lot of money that you’d otherwise be wasting on your insurance payments.

Shop Around Every Year

When it’s time for you to renew your insurance coverage, it’s a good idea to shop around a bit to ensure that you’re getting the best possible price.

According to John M. Vincent, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, although it can be more convenient to just keep the same insurance year after year, as your life and needs change, you might find that a different insurance carrier can offer you better rates now than they would have in the past. So if you’re serious about cutting costs, this could be a great way to do it.

If you’re wanting to save some money on your car insurance costs, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how you can do just this.