Is your car insurance up for renewal? Are you astonished at how much you'll have to pay just to keep the same coverage? Obviously, car insurance is a legal necessity. What may not be necessary is for you to have to pay huge amounts for your coverage. There are a few things you can do that may bring your premiums down, making your insurance more affordable once again. Some things to try include:

Take a class: Some car insurance companies will give you a substantial discount if you've taken and passed a qualified defensive driving course. A defensive driving course will teach you how to avoid certain accidents and how to react in an accident to avoid making it worse. Since both of these things are likely to reduce the amount that an insurance company has to pay out for accidents, they're often willing to give you a discount that will more than cover the cost of taking the defensive driving course in the first place.

Before you try this option, make sure to check with your insurance company to confirm that they'll accept the certificate that you get from a particular defensive driving school. Some insurance companies are pickier than others and may accept a certificate only from certain schools.

Drive fewer miles: If you're not already doing this, it can be difficult to start. But if you're already working and living in a relatively small area, you may be able to get a discount from some car insurance companies. Insurance companies figure that the average driver commutes for a certain distance every year. If you're substantially under that average distance, some companies may be willing to give you a discount. In order to be eligible, you may have to agree to have a basic mileage tracker installed on your vehicle or to take your vehicle into a specific mechanic every few months for them to confirm your mileage. However, the discount you receive should be more than worth the trouble.

Drive a different car: If you've already been thinking about getting a more reliable vehicle, now is your chance to cut down on your insurance premiums at the same time. Before you consider purchasing any vehicle, make sure to get quotes on how much it will cost to insure. Car insurance companies may provide drastically different rates for two very similar vehicles. For example, if their statistics show that a certain model of sedan is commonly stolen in your area, that vehicle can have higher premiums than other vehicles, even if those other vehicles are actually worth more.