Spending too much money on anything nowadays is bad. Spending too much on auto insurance is almost criminal. If you want to stop throwing cash down the drain, there are ways you can make policies more affordable.

Beyond the basics of really taking the time to shop around for the best quote, there are other savings measures that can help. To shave money off monthly expenses, consider:

• Lowering policy limits – A lot of people drive around with much more insurance than they really need. Take a look at the coverage limits and consider lowering them a notch or two if they are on one of the higher tiers.

• Increase deductible amounts – This is an area for potential monthly savings, but it doesn’t come without a word of caution. If money is available to cover higher a deductible in the event of an emergency, paying monthly for a lower number just doesn’t make sense. If money is not available to handle a higher deductible, increasing it might not be the best idea.

• Seeking out every possible discount – There are a lot of potential discounts on insurance policies. If they are applied, they can really add up. Look for any discounts that might apply, such as those for auto club members, multi-car discounts, anti theft discounts and more.

There is almost never a reason to pay a high premium for an auto insurance policy. Even those with imperfect records can save a little if they take the time to consider the options.