In times of economic uncertainty, people look for ways to save money-from clipping coupons to limiting meals out. But cutting back on certain things now could mean heftier bills later. That definitely holds true for car insurance-an accident could cost hundreds, and you don’t want to be stuck with the bill.

Drivers need to stay insured to protect themselves, but there are ways to save real money on your insurance. Here are a few tips from leading car insurer Progressive:

Stay covered. If finances are tight, you might consider downgrading to minimum-limits, liability-only coverage to save money. But that may not be enough-if you cause an accident, your insurance might not cover all the damages. Carry the right physical damage and liability coverages with sufficient limits to meet your needs so that fender bender doesn’t cost you big bucks.

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A bill that would have repealed the so-called tort system for automobile accidents collided with the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee and was blocked in a 7-3 vote.

House Bill 1226, sponsored by Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, would have effectively reversed a 2003 law that implemented the tort system. McGihon’s bill would have returned the state to a no-fault system for dealing with auto accidents.

The bill would have required Colorado motorists to carry legal liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person per and up to $50,000 for any one accident.

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Good ideas to save on auto insurance.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Across the country, people continue to look for ways to stretch their budgets and cut costs. But when trying to cut costs on auto insurance, consumers should be wary of making penny wise, pound foolish decisions that could put them at risk financially. Allstate is providing some helpful tips on auto insurance savings.

In a rush to save money, consumers should be careful not to cut corners in areas that help protect them and their families. Although it is important to save money in the short-term, consumers could find themselves unable to pay for auto repairs or for liabilities to others in the case of an accident.

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Victims of Uninsured Drivers on Rise

Fallout from the slumping economy may be spreading to our roads: Insurers and transportation experts say increasing numbers of motorists are driving uninsured.

An Enquirer analysis of state crash data finds that 6.5 percent of all accidents in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky involved an uninsured driver last year, up slightly from 2007.

Numbers are still incomplete for 2008, but the seven-county rate could be at a five-year high.

In Kenton County, more than one in 10 auto accidents last year involved an uninsured driver. In Hamilton County, one in 14 accidents involved an uninsured driver – or more than 2,000 crashes total.

“I know this is hard to believe here in West Chester, but I have customers choosing between food and insurance,” State Farm agent Randy Grimes said.

He and his staff are on the phone daily, trying to convince customers to stay current on their policies.

“It’s tough out there, as tough as I’ve ever seen,” he said.

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State Farm Lowers Georgia Rates

If you’re a State Farm customer in Georgia, you’ll have some extra spending money next month. On March 9, the insurance company is lowering your auto insurance rates.

Here’s the tip of the day:

Effective March 9, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is lowering its overall auto insurance rate level in Georgia by an average of 1.5 percent. This represents an annual savings of $16.2 million for Georgia customers. After this change is implemented, State Farm’s overall auto insurance rate level in Georgia will be 12.2 percent lower than it was five years ago, according to a release.

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Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premiums

Here are tips from the Insurance Information Institute on lowering your auto insurance premiums:

•Raise your deductible. Going from $200 to $500 could trim collision and comprehensive coverage premiums by up to 30 percent; raising the deductible to $1,000 could slash premiums by 40 percent or more.

•Drop collision or comprehensive coverage on old cars.

•Get a discount by buying two or more kinds of insurance, say, homeowners and auto, from the same insurance company.

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After receiving complaints from homeowners, the Arizona Department of Insurance issued a cease and desist order against National Home Protection Inc.

According to the order, filed Jan. 22, National Home does not hold a permit to offer or issue service contracts in Arizona. Before issuing the cease and desist, DOI had sent a subpoena to the New York company requesting that it produce proof that it is licensed to do business in Arizona and claim files for the eight Arizona residents listed in the order.

For the most part, these customers alleged the company either failed to pay or denied their claims for home repairs.

Andrew Kaczowka is one of those frustrated customers.

On Aug. 26, he filed a complaint with DOI saying National Home denied his claim for the breakdown of the pool motor at his Scottsdale home.

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KAKE Television reports on a new bill in the Kansas House of Representatives. The title of the story is Bill Could Bring Major Changes To Kansas DUI Laws.

Sponsored by freshmen house member Aaron Jack and Olathe representative Lance Kinzer, the goal of the bill is to reduce inconsistencies in the current law, and also to increase penalties.

The bill is House Bill 2263.

As reported by KAKE, the bill contains the idea of “impairment to the slightest degree.” The specific language in the bill is “No person shall operate or attempt to operate any vehicle within this state while … under the influence of a combination of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that …”

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Your auto insurance premium is influenced by where you live. How is it possible? Does that mean that I can really get higher or cheaper premiums simply by changing my location? Yes, you can.

While this may not be apparent a good number of folks, you can actually make huge savings if you know the impact of your place of residence on your auto insurance premium and how it does impact it.

There are certain good reasons why information about your place of home’s location is required before receiving a car insurance quote. This is also why information of your place of work could also be required.

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ALBANY, NY—There’s nothing funny about insurance fraud, says the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud (NYAAIF). It drives up insurance premiums for New York residents and businesses. But there’s no denying that many of those charged with insurance fraud in New York State are usually not awaiting entry into Mensa.

A review of online reports from the New York State Insurance Department’s frauds bureau by NYAAIF uncovered a few examples of scams attempted by less than stellar criminal masterminds. NYAAIF deems the following New York’s Most Foolish Fraudsters for 2008:

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