(MONEY Magazine) – It's hard to escape paying $2 a gallon for gas this summer, but you can find cheaper auto insurance today. Auto insurance rates are expected to rise just 3.5% in 2004, the smallest jump in four years. Better yet, in some cases it's possible to pay even less: USAA's auto rates are being slashed by an average of 7% in most states. Visit the website progressive.com to compare rates from different insurers in your area. --TARA KALWARSKI