The trend seers are saying auto insurance rates are going up in 2012, making it more important than ever to work with your Palm Coast auto insurance agency to keep your costs down.

While accidents and highway fatalities have been declining, auto insurance rates are going up because of rampant fraud, especially in South Florida. The Florida Legislature is working to resolve some of the problems with auto insurance fraud and hopefully will be successful.

Still, there are some steps you can take in 2012 to help reduce your auto insurance premiums. Here are some tips:

• Set your deductible at a level you can afford. If you can afford to pay $1,000 towards an auto repair, then you should set the deductible at that amount, not lower.
• Keep your auto in good working order so your need for towing insurance is lower. In the case of an accident, towing costs usually are covered by your collision coverage.
• If you’re buying a car in 2012, talk to your Palm Coast auto insurance agency first and it could help you decide which vehicle you want to buy.
• Bundling your auto insurance with other policies with your Palm Coast auto insurance agency could provide you with a substantial discount.
• Look back at the past two years and determine how many miles you put on your auto. If you add a small number of miles each year, you could qualify for a low-mileage break on your insurance.
• Check to see if you can get a discount for taking a safe driving class.
• Determine a payment plan with your agent that provides the lowest overall cost. If you can pay for an entire six-month policy at once, you could save money.

For more tips on saving on your auto insurance, talk to your Palm Coast auto insurance agency. The O’Quinn Agency also can help you with insurance for your boat, home, motorcycle and life.