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RAISE YOUR DEDUCTIBLE. Doubling your deductible from $250 to $500 will slice 15% off your premium; raising it to $1,000 will lop off 25%. And it's a backhanded way to make sure your insurer doesn't fire you. These days, some carriers are refusing to renew customers who file several small claims. Keep your deductible high, and that won't even be a possibility.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP. If you jump to a new insurer for a cheaper policy, don't cancel your old one for 59 days. That's how long the new insurer has to deny you coverage. And never let your policy lapse before getting a new one. That's a sure way to buy yourself a substantial rate increase-and a headache.
--With reporting by Cybele Weisser
You can e-mail Jean, a MONEY magazine columnist, at moneytalk@moneymail.com