Car insurance rates for Southland drivers covered by AAA are dropping by 5.4%, or about $100 per vehicle, says a recent story in the LA Times. Even if you are not covered by AAA and live outside California, you may be able to get a lower rate. For AAA policy holders, the change takes place April 1 and applies to policies renewed or created after that date.

“Part of the reason for the reduction is that people are driving less, whether because of higher fuel prices in the middle of last year, the deepening economic recession or changes in habits, such as taking public transportation,” said Sam Belden, vice president of Insurance.com.

Car insurance rates across the state dropped by 3% in the past six month, which means it is time to call your insurer and check if they offering you a competitive rate. It helps if you have quotes from rivals to (gently) prove your point. When asking for a discount, I recommend asking nicely (no one wants to help a jerk) and pointing out things that work in your favor, like the fact that you are a loyal customer or can pay in cash.

No matter what state you live in, you may be able to lower the cost of your policy.

Here are 10 tips from Edmunds to do just that.

CNNMoney has 5 tips to lower your auto insurance bill.

FinancialWeb has 10 tips to reach this goal.