If your auto insurance bill feels higher than ever, you're not alone. Many drivers are seeing rate increases, even without changes to their driving habits. While some factors are out of your control, there are still ways to lower your premium. Here's how to save on auto insurance without sacrificing coverage.

Shop around

When it comes to insurance, you don't just have to accept whatever rate your current insurer is offering you. One of the easiest ways to ensure you're getting a competitive rate is to work with an independent insurance agency like AAA Insurance. Licensed advisors will do the legwork for you and provide you with options from an extensive portfolio of providers. And best of all, there's no added cost.

"Our agents make it quick and painless for our customers," said David Kirst, Manager, Insurance Sales and Operations at AAA Western and Central New York. "They will have a conversation to get to know the customer and find out their needs and can usually access a lot of the needed information online."

A short conversation with an expert could lead to meaningful savings. Working with AAA Insurance or another independent agency may help you save 10-15% on your premium.

Take a Defensive Driving course

Completing a DMV-approved Defensive Driving class is one of the easiest and most proactive ways to save on your auto insurance. Your completion certificate will get you up to 10% off portions of your plan. And as a bonus, it can also reduce up to four points off your license. The discount lasts for three years, making it a wise investment. As Kirst notes, the higher a customer's premium, the greater the potential savings.

AAA offers a Defensive Driving course online or in a classroom starting at $24.95 for AAA Members. Spend a few hours brushing up on your driving skills and enjoy the savings on your auto insurance. Click here for more information.

Try Telematics

Telematics-based auto insurance programs are another route to potential savings. These programs use a smartphone app or plug-in device to assess how safely you drive. Insurers use this data to offer a personalized rate based on your driving habits. Kirst says that customers typically see about a 15-20% discount after the qualification period.

But what if the data shows you aren't a safe driver? "The worst-case scenario is that the customer does not get any additional discounts," Kirst said. "If that happens, the customer can usually try again." Safe driving pays off in more ways than one.

Bundle up

Often the simplest way to maximize discounts is to purchase several insurance policies with the same carrier, such as auto, home, renters, or life insurance. Kirst said AAA Insurance customers typically see about a 20% discount when bundling their policies. In addition to discounts, customers also benefit from simplified policy management.

Kirst encourages customers who rent their residences to take advantage of renters insurance. "Renters insurance is usually overlooked by most customers," he said. "The discounts given to the auto policy can often offset most, if not all of the cost of the renters policy."

Be smart

Good grades can also translate into good savings. Some insurance policies offer "good student" discounts, where parents can save approximately 10% on their insurance policy if their children have grades of B or better. This can be a big help, as teenagers are some of the most expensive drivers to insure.

Another lesser-known discount is for children away at school. Kirst said certain families may qualify for additional discounts if their child goes to college more than 75-100 miles away and does not have a car with them at school.

Drivers might be tempted to cut coverage to lower their auto insurance premiums, but Kirst doesn't recommend it. "Lowering your liability limits or raising your deductibles may save a little money in the short term," he said. "However, if you ever have a claim, that premium savings will not be worth it." After all, insurance is one of those things you hope you never need — until you do.

Auto insurance may feel expensive right now, but by being proactive, asking questions, and working with a trusted AAA Insurance advisor, you can uncover savings while keeping the coverage that protects you and your family.