No matter how many discounts you are eligible for, a Ferrari F-430 wil still cost a bundle to insure.

Auto insurance is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. Recently some companies have started using tactics such as offering discounts to new customers, while raising rates on existing ones. As the bottom fell out of the financial markets, companies started scrambling to make a profit, never mind that the insurance industry had been making good money for years.

Even with all of this turmoil, there are still discounts you are probably eligible for on your auto insurance, and you should be darned sure you’re getting them. Here are some of the most common deductions, as well as some that aren’t so common. Not all of these are offered by all companies, and not all are available in every state.

Good student discount – Available through most insurance companies. If your GPA is above a certain level, typically 3.0, you’re eligible for a reduction in your rates.

Multi car discount – Again, this discount is available from just about every insurance provider. It is a great reason to bring all your vehicles under the same insurance company, which is exactly what they want.

Multi line discount – This one is given for using one company for more than one type of insurance; for example, insuring your vehicles and home through the same company.

Good driver discount – If you have had no accidents, or no accidents and tickets for a specified amount of time, typically at least 3 – 5 years, you are able to get a lower rate. This varies by company.

Over 25 year old discount – (You, not your car) This may be changing from some companies, but it is traditionally one of the ages most looked forward to by American drivers.

Retired military discount – Some companies, such as GEICO, will give discounts to retired military personel. USAA Insurance is only available to military or ex military people, and they have excellent rates, so you are getting a type of military discount for your service to our country.

Scientist / engineer discount – Certain companies, for example 21^st Century Insurance, will give you a deduction if you have a college degree in one of the scientific or engineering disciplines.

AARP discount – This is not just a senior citizen discount, but available for members of AARP only. Other organizations have also negotiated discounts from insurance companies, such as some trade and employee unions.

Senior citizen discount – This is one you’ll get solely for reaching a certain age, such as 55 or 62.

Retired discount – This is great if you’re on a fixed income. You can get a discount for being out of work permanently.

Teacher discount

Driver safety / defensive driving course completion discount

Window etching discount – Certain companies will etch your car’s window glass, making to easy to track the valuable glass. Since one of the main things cars are stolen for is to sell the parts, this effectively takes some of the valuable parts off the market. Thieves obviously don’t like this, and are more likely to look elsewhere for easier pickin’s.

Lojack discount – Lojack is a small tracking device you place in your vehicle that allows certain police jurisdictions (the ones with Lojack receivers) to locate your car on a computer screen if it is stolen. This leads them right to it, making recovery a piece of cake. It is easy to see why some insurance companies see value in such a device.

Here are some additional vehicle equipment related discounts you may be able to receive. Check with your provider and be sure they know about ay of these features, should your car have them.

Alarm / Anti-theft device discount – many new cars and trucks come with special keys that are electronically coded to your vehicle. They will not allow the computer to start the car, so it can’t be hotwired without the proper key.

Accident free driver discount

Passive restraint (airbags) discount

Antilock brakes discount