NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Facing a hefty jump in your auto insurance? You're not alone.
The Insurance Information Institute estimates the annual cost of car insurance will rise six percent this year to $898. That's on top of an 8.4 percent increase last year.
The III, an industry trade group, says fraud is driving up costs. That's right: organized crime rings faking accidents and collecting the payouts from insurers push rates higher. Of course, that's not the only reason rates are creeping higher. Rising medical costs, high vehicle repair costs and jury awards are also to blame.
If you're insurance premium is rising, you can still fight back. Cut your auto rates using today's five tips.
Tip 1: Shop around before your buy
Your rates will vary dramatically between carriers. Your choices include buying insurance from direct underwriters, such as Geico, that sell policies online or by the telephone. Then, there are companies that use sales forces, either their own agents or independent agents, to sell their wares. State Farm and Allstate are among the major insurers that employ agents.
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 CNNfn's Gerri Willis reports on how to cut your auto insurance rate with these five tips.
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The best rates are often offered by direct sellers who don't pay agents to sell their policies, assuming that your driving record is clean as a whistle.
If your driving record is less than stellar, you should check out other insurance providers as well. You can check a potential insurer's creditworthiness online at A.M. Best's or Standard & Poor's Web sites. This will tell you whether your insurer is financially stable.
Tip 2: Boost your deductible
The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurer starts paying the claim. For example, by boosting your deductible to $500 from $200, you can pare 15 to 30 percent from your costs for collision and comprehensive coverage. Going to a $1,000 deductible could save you 40 percent or more, says the III.
Tip 3: Get the discounts
The rates that insurers charge vary dramatically by customer for the same coverage. Insurers use several different factors to determine the cost of your premium, including the driver's age, sex and driving record.
You can't control some of these things, but you can tap discounts that are due to you.
Safe drivers get preference. If you've had no accidents in the last three years and no moving violations in the last three years, you'll qualify for discounts. Drivers with low annual mileage and long-time customers also qualify for lower rates.
Does your car have air bags or anti-lock brakes or daytime running lights? You're due a discount.
Ask about group insurance as many professional organizations and alumni groups qualify for discounted rates.
Tip 4: Reduce coverage on older cars
Paying for collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars may not be cost effective. It's usually most cost effective if the car is worth more than 10 times the amount you would pay for coverage.
To find out the value of your older car, take a look at the Kelley Blue Book online. For new cars, investigate insurance costs before you buy the car. Your insurance premium on a new car is based on the sticker price and the costs of repair.
Tip 5: Maintain good credit
Insurers have been more frequently using credit ratings to determine auto coverage premiums. The reason? People with good credit have fewer claims.
Gerri Willis is the personal finance editor for CNN Business News. Willis also is co-host of CNNfn's The FlipSide, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET). E-mail comments to 5tips@cnnfn.com.
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