Depending on where you live, your driving record and the type of car you own, you may have noticed that your auto insurance premiums have gone down over the past few years. There are a number of reasons.

Safer cars, six consecutive years of decline in the number of auto thefts, crackdowns on drunken driving, stronger seat-belt law enforcement and competition among insurers are some of the things holding down the price of auto insurance. Rates dropped in 1998 more than anytime in the past 20 years, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That’s good news, and there are several ways you may be able to cut your auto insurance costs further.

Manny Miranda

Higher deductibles can lower your premium, as will selecting only the coverage you feel you need. Many insurance companies offer different discounts. When shopping for auto insurance, be sure to ask about the availability of these discounts in your state, and whether the insurer offers them.

• New business discount: May offer you a discount as a new policyholder if you have been accident-free for a specific period of time.

• Accident-free: Policyholders who have been accident-free while being insured with the same insurance company for several years may be eligible for reduced premiums.

• Discounts for other insurance lines: Premiums may be reduced if you insure your home, life or health with the same company that covers your car.

• Multiple car: Premiums may be reduced if there are two or more private passenger cars in the household insured by the same company.

• Air bag/passive restraint: Medical payments or personal injury protection premiums may be discounted if the auto is equipped with a factory-installed air bag or other passive restraint system, such as automatic safety belts, that meets federal safety standards.

• Antitheft devices: Some insurance companies offer discounts on comprehensive coverage premiums when certain antitheft devices are installed or built into a vehicle.

• Defensive driving course: Premium discounts sometimes are offered for the voluntary completion of specified driver improvement courses.

• Good student: Full-time students (high school or higher level) maintaining at least a "B" average can qualify for reduced premiums with many companies.

These are just a few of the common discounts offered by insurance companies.