Tips to save money on car insurance

LOS ANGELES Progressive's super perky Flo promises to save you hundreds of dollars on /*car insurance*/. And Geico's cute gecko promises to save you 15 percent or more. While a lot of commercials promise to cut your costs, /*Consumer Reports*/' Greg Daugherty says the best way to save on car insurance is to shop around.

"We've not found one company that always delivers the lowest rates. So you want to get quotes from a bunch of companies," said Daugherty.

There are websites to make that a lot easier. Two good ones are AnswerFinancial.com and InsWeb.com.

Other ways to save on car insurance:

• Consider dropping rental reimbursement if you have a car you can use while yours is being repaired
• Drop roadside assistance if you can get a better deal from AAA or another auto club
• Drop collision coverage on older cars

"If the insurance costs more than 10 percent of your car's value, you'll pay more for insurance than you'll ever get back if your car is damaged or totaled," said Daugherty.

Consumer Reports says one way you should not try to save is by cutting back on liability coverage.

"You could face financial ruin if you're at fault in an accident and there are large damages, so stick with at least the standard coverage," said Daugherty.

Standard liability coverage pays bodily injury of up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident and property damage up to $100,000.

If you're driving less than you're used to, let your insurer know as that can save you some money, too.

Two nationwide companies that scored especially well for good service and paying claims promptly are the Amica Mutual Group and, if you or any family member has served in the military, the USAA Group.