When you’re trying to cut back on your monthly expenses, keeping your auto insurance premium at its lowest can be challenging. Many people make a few simple mistakes that can nearly double their auto insurance in a few short months.

If you’re a new driver, a mature driver, or someone who’s recently moved to a new area, you’re considered to be ‘at risk’ and are much more likely to get involved in an accident that leads to a higher auto insurance premium. Still, there are some ways to prevent a rate increase in the first place; from avoiding speeding tickets to paying your bills on time, here are just eight dumb mistakes that can quickly raise your auto insurance premium:

1. Getting a speeding ticket. No matter what your ticket is for (5-10 miles, 15 miles+), your rate is going to increase substantially as it labels you as a risky driver. Avoid speeding altogether and just plan ahead so you’re never in a rush when you’re on the road. It’s also a good idea to avoid talking on the phone, text messaging, or engaging in any distracting activities that can cause you to speed without realizing it.

2. Buying a sports car. Most sports car command high insurance premiums, and it’s hard to lower the cost as time goes by. While sports cars are very attractive, they also come at a high price – beyond what you paid to the seller. Review average costs for different types of cars when you’re in the market to buy one, and you’ll easily save money on auto insurance.

FREE CAR INSURANCE QUOTE

3. Lending your car to friends or uninsured family members. Not all auto insurance policies cover accidents or damage caused by other drivers, and some even have stipulations that don’t allow for other drivers. Avoid lending your car to friends and family unless they are covered on your plan; if not, you risk sky-rocketing car insurance rates from the simplest mistakes.

4. Drinking and driving. Not only is this against the law, but it can also wreak havoc on car insurance rates. DUI tickets are costly in the first place, and car insurance companies will label you as a risky individual as a result. You’ll be paying a premium price for a few years, so be prepared for exceptionally high insurance bills if you take this risk.

5. Forgetting to pay a bill. Insurance companies will report your nonpayment or delayed payment to the credit bureaus almost immediately. This can also result in a rate increase, simply because you’re considered to be a ‘risky’ customer. Make sure you always pay your bill on time, and contact your auto insurance company if you have an address change or any other situation that may delay payment. If you end up switching car insurance providers, always make sure you’re all paid up with the previous one. Car insurance companies will quickly report your late payment or nonpayment, and this might also increase your rates with your new insurance company.

FREE CAR INSURANCE QUOTE

6. Not looking at insurance company history. Reviewing auto insurance company history is an easy way to determine car insurance ratings, and how well the company can meet your needs. Checking rates online is just one step of research. You’ll want to search through consumer records and learn about a company’s status with a little more in-depth research. This can save a lot of time, money, and energy since you’ll be working with a company that has a strong track record of providing competitive, and consistent, auto insurance rates for customers.

7. Lowering your deductible. Lowering your car insurance deductible usually means you’re more likely to claim more should you get into an accident – the opposite of what auto insurance companies want you to do. Raising your deductible instead will give you a lower insurance rate, but it’s a good idea to have the money available if you need to repair your car in an emergency situation.

8. Neglecting your credit rating. Car insurance companies use dozens of factors when calculating your auto insurance quote, and your credit history and score are an important part of the equation. Make sure your credit report is free of errors before you apply for auto insurance, and keep up with payments on credit cards and other bills so your credit standing stays strong. Poor credit can quickly turn you into a ‘risky’ customer in the eyes of the auto insurance provider.

There are many factors involved in calculating your car insurance quote, but there are some ways to reduce high rates with a proactive strategy. Lowering your deductible, forgetting to pay bills on time, and even buying a sports car are all surefire ways to increase your rates. Take the time to avoid these top eight dumb mistakes, and you may just pay a lower than average insurance premium.