Plenty of insurance commercials state that by switching to their company, you will save so much a year in terms of dollars or percent. But in doing so, you may be sacrificing quality service. You don't always have to find a new auto insurance provider just to cut costs. We have several tips to help you save money without compromising service.

Use social media to your advantage when shopping for an auto insurance policy. Check what real drivers are saying about insurance companies via websites, forums and blogs. By going the social route, you will find out the truth about an insurance company, not the hype the insurance companies themselves pay to put out.

Work with an insurance broker or aggregator online. Sites like Esurance.com or Insureme.com can help you get quotes from several insurance companies at once for no charge so you can get a feel for how your current rates stack up, and whether you need to switch to a new insurance company.

When purchasing auto insurance, make sure that you aren't paying for "extras" that overlap with coverage you already have. For instance, if you already have roadside assistance through a traveling club or your cell phone carrier, you do not need to pay for this benefit through your auto insurance company, too.

Even your age can play a large factor in the price you can expect to pay for auto insurance. Statistically speaking, drivers over the age of 55 and under the age of 25 are considerably more prone to vehicle accidents compared with adults in mid-life. While this cannot be changed, you may wish to compare coverage options across companies; some place less emphasis on the age of the insured party.

Do not settle for the first auto insurance company that you find. You may be missing out on special discounts or rewards. For instance, some insurance companies offer discounted premiums for accident-free drivers, or for people of certain professions. Some even give discounts to college students who maintain good grades.

Know what is on your driving record when you are shopping for auto insurance. Your driving record has direct impact on the cost of your insurance. A clean driving record will get you better rates than a record full of tickets. Since tickets do not stay in your record forever you can wait until they disappear from your record before you get new quotes.

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your automobile insurance premiums. One way is by maintaining a good credit score. Many insurance companies now use this statistic as part of their criteria in determining a client's premiums. Joining an automobile club is also a good idea if you have a classic car. Most of these clubs offer members quality insurance policies at reduced rates.

When you use these tips to help cut your auto insurance costs, you should be able to stay with your current auto insurance provider. If you do decide that it is worth your while to switch insurance companies and reap the savings as a new subscriber, be sure to use these tips to keep your costs down with them as well.