Many insurers have discounts tied to who you are rather than how you drive. Depending on the company, eligible groups may include certain professions such as teachers, nurses, engineers or first responders, along with members of the military, veterans, alumni associations, credit unions and professional organizations.

These group discounts are easy to miss because insurers don't know your employer or memberships unless you tell them. Some groups also have arrangements with particular insurers, which can mean a better rate with one company and nothing at all with another. Check your employee benefits portal and any membership perks pages as well.

The simplest approach is to ask directly each time you get a quote. Then compare the final price, not just the size of the discount, because a big discount on a high base rate can still cost more than another company's ordinary price. Getting quotes from several insurers at once is the best way to see where your affiliations count the most.