If you drive a Ford Escape, car insurance is probably a significant part of your budget. SUVs generally cost more to insure than smaller vehicles and, as a result, Ford Escape owners may be paying an arm and a leg for insurance.

Wouldn’t it be nice to reduce your Escape’s premium by 20 or 30 percent? You can—and it’s easier than you think.

1. Shop Around, Find Low-Cost Coverage

Shopping for a new policy is the best way to save on car insurance. In fact, drivers who compare quotes and switch carriers with InsWeb.com save an average of $301* on a six month policy. If you don’t compare quotes, you’ll never know if you’re missing out on a more affordable policy.

2. Don’t Overpay for Tickets or Accidents

Insurers don’t look at violations and accidents in the same way. One company may charge you more for a single ticket or accident while another company may ignore a single infraction. If you have a blemish on your record, shopping around could land you significant savings.

3. Raise Your Deductible

The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000 could reduce your comprehensive and collision rate by up to 40 percent. **

4. Pay in a Lump Sum

Some insurers charge fees to pay premiums in monthly installments. They may seem small, but these fees can add up over the long run—even a monthly fee of $5 can cost $60 over the course of a year.

5. Eliminate Unnecessary Coverage

Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need. For example...(Continue reading 10 Ways to Save)