Let me tell you, I don't care what anybody says. There is no shame in trying to find really cheap auto insurance! While all these people out there are up to their eyeballs in debt, you will be sitting pretty with all those extra pennies in your pocket.

Stand proud, penny pinchers! Here’s some cheap auto insurance advice for you.

Cheap Auto Insurance Rule #1: Make Companies Compete!

In order to get your insurance company to stop raising your rates, and start appreciating your business – you have to keep them on their toes. Here’s how:

• Shop around for a quote every six months.
• Be sure to get your quotes from an unbiased site that will provide rates from all the major companies in one shot, www.LowestPolicy.com is a great one.
• Once you've got quotes from at least 3 or 4 companies, be sure to compare policies with the same coverage. Make sure you're comparing "apples-to-apples."

Cheap Auto Insurance Rule #2: Double Your Deductibles

The higher your deductible, the lower your rate. As a card-carrying cheapskate you may be thinking, "I’ll have to shell out more money when I get in an accident."

A little perspective:

The huge amount you’ll save on raising your deductible will be offset by the extra cash you’ll have to fork over in the event of an accident.

The higher deductible will also keep you from putting in as many claims. Remember that insurance companies will raise your rates if you’re claim-happy, even when the incident was not your fault.

So hike up that deductible and pay out of pocket for the small stuff.

Cheap Auto Insurance Rule #3: Pay in One Shot

Don't hang on to those pennies so tight that you end up spending more of them! If you’re making monthly payments on your premium because it makes you feel like you're spending less, you're actually flushing money down the drain!

Insurance companies charge you a fee for those monthly payments, so the best way to make cheap auto insurance even cheaper is by paying your premium in a lump sum.

Cheap Auto Insurance Rule #4: Don’t Need It? Drop It!

I’m not talking about your liability coverage. If you’re a true penny pincher it's likely that you have some valuable assets and the need to protect them.

However, take a look at your comprehensive and collision coverage. If you've applied your budget conscious habits to purchasing a car--especially if you've had it a while--it's possible that you may be overpaying for Collision and Comprehensive coverage.

How Do You Know if You Need it? A Little Math:

Add what you're paying for comprehensive and collision auto insurance and multiply that number by ten. = If your car is worth less than the total you got, then seriously consider dropping it.

You could also be paying for services you don't need.

Does your declarations page list towing as a part of your policy?

If you belong to an auto club or any sort of roadside assistant program, you're already paying for towing on your auto insurance policy. Drop the double charge!

You may get a better deal renting a car on your own in the event that yours is unavailable instead of paying the extra charge on your policy. If you own an additional car you could use if the other was damaged, you may not need a rental at all!

Cheap Auto Insurance Rule #5:

Ask About Discounts

There are SO many different discounts insurance companies offer. You really don’t know what you qualify for until you ask.

Good Driver Discount: Many companies will reward you with savings if you haven't had a claim in the past 3 years. These vary from company to company so be sure to check with each as you're getting your online quote.

Group Discounts: Members of certain organizations and professions (Teachers, Veterans, and Engineers) are often given group discounts. If you or one of the people on your policy belong to any organizations or specific professions, be sure to mention it.

Drive Less, Pay Less: Some companies offer discounts to drivers who have a lower annual mileage then average. So if you have a short commute, participate in a carpool or do anything else that translates into fewer miles, a discount may be in store for you.

Good Student Discount: If you have a young driver on your policy and they have a “B” average or above, that could get you a nice discount on your policy.

Cheap Insurance Rule #6: Choose the Right Car

If you have pinched enough pennies to go out and get a car, you've probably done plenty of research to find one that's within your budget.

However, it is just as critical to also look into the cheapest autos to insure.

The best car for your budget isn't just about price and gas mileage. Be sure to do the following to make certain that you'll continue to score cheap auto insurance.

Safety first: Many companies offer discounts for various safety features on your vehicle, including air bags, alarms, factory-installed mechanical seat belts, and anti lock brakes. Be sure to ask about discounts!

Statistics: Check out the ratings on the cars you're looking at. Not only for safety, but also for how often they’re stolen. Insurance companies look at all of this when they’re coming up with rates for a specific car. Check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Site for ratings on a specific vehicle.

Really Cheap Auto Insurance: Savvy Shopping

Now that you're loaded with all you need to know to get really cheap auto insurance, go out and shop till’ you drop. There are so many auto insurance quote sites out there for free insurance advice. Be sure to go to one that will send your information to the major insurance companies. Before you put in your information, ask who they send it to. If in doubt, use www.InsWeb.com. – It is the only site I know of that is totally unbiased.