Trim your budget with insurance changes

WASHINGTON - If you're looking to trim your budget, you might want to start with your insurance to save a few bucks.

Some life insurers will reduce your premium if you can prove you've quit smoking or reduced your cholesterol.

If you lose the life insurance you had through work, replace it with a term life policy. It's reliable and less expensive than a whole life policy.

Health insurance consultants say shop around for insurance because there are big differences in what you get with a given deductible at a given price.

The Insurance Information Institute suggests that if your vehicle is more than eight years old, drop your collision coverage. You can save between $200 and $1,000.

Also, drive less. Some insurers will knock 10 percent to 20 percent off your premium if you're annual mileage is below 7,500.

Defensive driving classes also can add up to savings of as much as 10 percent.

To save on home insurance, insure the house, not the value of the land. Also add security devices for additional insurance savings.

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