After falling or remaining flat through 2007, average auto insurance premiums rose an average of 1.05% during the first quarter of this year, a new survey by Insurance.com, a website that lets consumers compare insurance quotes, found.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower your insurance rates:

•Drive Safely. Just 1 speeding ticket could raise your insurance premium. Conversely, many insurers will lower your rate if you haven’t had an accident or been ticketed in the past three to five years.

•Raise your deductible. Raising your deductable from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by up to 30%. Raising your deductible to $1,000 could lower your premium by 40% or more. Just make sure you have enough money put aside to cover the higher deductible amount in case you’re in an accident.

•Take advantage of discounts. Many insurers provide a discount of up to 15% for teenage drivers with a B average or higher in school. Some also offer a 5% to 10% discount for policyholders who take a defensive driving course.

•Driving less often (if you use public transport to go to work for example) could reward you with a low-mileage discount. You’ll probably need to provide documents to support the change in your driving habits.

•Consult your insurance agent before you buy a car. Premiums vary significantly from one type of vehicle to another as insurers review several factors (repair costs, model’s safety record…).

•Shop around and fill in a comparison quote. Switch for a new policy well before your current policy comes up for renewal if possible as many insurers provide an “early shopping” discount of up to 12%.