Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
NW Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
darrin.sanger@nwinsurance.org

Saving on insurance can ease the pain of increased driving costs

SEATTLE - Soaring gas prices can have significant impacts on your personal finances. However, there are many ways you can put money back in your pocket by saving money on your homeowners and auto insurance.

"There is strong and healthy competition for auto and homeowners insurance customers in the Northwest," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "That means companies are working hard to earn your business - giving you a large number of companies to choose from. Shopping wisely will ensure that you get the coverage and pricing that best meets your needs."

The NW Insurance Council offers some tips on how you can lower your premiums and save money during these tough economic times:

• Comparison shop - Prices for the same coverage can vary by hundreds of dollars, so it pays to shop around.
• Ask for higher deductibles. By requesting higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500, could reduce your collision and comprehensive costs by 15 to 30 percent.
• Buy your home and auto policies from the same insurer. Some companies that sell homeowners, auto and liability coverage, will take five to 15 percent off of your premium if you buy two or more policies from them.
• Seek out other discounts. Companies offer many types of discounts, but they don't all offer the same discounts. It's important to ask your agent or company representative about any discounts available for you.

For more information on how to lower your auto and homeowners insurance costs, contact your agent or insurance company.

For free brochures, 12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs and Nine Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Costs, call the NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942 or visit www.NW Insurance Councilonline.org.

The NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, consumer education organization funded by member insurance companies.

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