Get an insurance tune-up
By Kevin Panet

With rising prices at the pumps, people are looking for ways to save money. With fierce competition in the market place, it seems as if insurance companies are bending over backwards to offer discounts to people. Here are a few of the discounts that can really add up:

•Get an insurance "tune up." Verify your annual mileage. If you once had a long commute and now work closer to home, you should be paying less. Ask about discounts that you might now qualify for.

•Combine policies. Many companies offer substantial discounts when combining both home and auto insurance.

•Get alarmed. Most insurance companies offer discounts for vehicle theft recovery devices like LoJack, as well as discounts for home monitoring systems.

•Obey the law. Slow down, pay attention, use handsfree devices, and be courteous to other drivers. These common sense ideas will help you avoid tickets and help provide "good driver" discounts.

•Go to school. If you do get a ticket, go to traffic school so that citation doesn't show up on the driving record. For those too busy to take a class, traffic school can now be completed online.

•Get more education. For young people, completing a formal driving course of instruction might earn a discount. For those over 55, taking the DMV's "Mature Driver Improvement" program could help. And those who are considering riding a motorcycle will definitely want to take a course offered by the California Motorcycle Safety Program.

While these are some basic ways to save money, some insurance companies offer discounts for various professions, good students, non-smokers and other factors that have been found to help reduce risks.

Granted, insurance is not something people tend to think about on a regular basis. In fact, some people haven't reviewed their insurance in years. If you're looking to save money, now is a good time to review coverages and make sure you're getting the best value for the money.

Panet, a Famers Insurance Group agent, has an office at 2775 Tapo St., Simi Valley. Contact him at (805) 991-7431, kpanet @farmersagent.com, or www .KevinPanet.com.