Were you recently in a car accident? Was the accident your fault? Even if you weren't in the accident, you could still feel some pain, especially the next time you have to pay your car insurance bill. Some insurance companies view an accident as evidence of risk, so they'll increase premiums to cover that potential risk. Even if you've been in multiple accidents that weren't your fault, it's still possible that your premiums could rise. However, there are also steps you can take to keep your premiums under control. If a premium increase is in your future because of a recent accident, try out these three steps:

Raise your deductible. In any case, one of the fastest ways to reduce your payment is to increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of damage you must cover out of your own pocket before the insurance company pays for any repairs. If you have a higher deductible, then you will cover a greater portion of any damage expenses. That reduces the amount of damage that the insurance company must pay for. Very often, an insurance company will reduce your premium if you raise your deductible because it means they have less exposure to repair costs in the event of an accident.

However, before you raise your deductible, be sure that you could afford to pay it if you're in an accident. If you have to cover $500 or even $1,000 of damage and don't have the money, you could face a serious problem.

Take a driving course. You may not have taken a driving course since high school and you may not feel like a drivers' education course is necessary. However, the reason your premium is going up is because the insurance company feels you are a greater risk for more accidents. One way to show them that you are not a risk is to take a driving class. Your insurance company may give you a break on your premium based on your commitment to safe driving.

Talk to them. Your insurance company wants to keep you as a customer. And while they may have to adjust your premium due to increased risk, they're likely willing to be fair and work with you on your policy. If you feel like the increase was exorbitant or unfair, call them and talk to them about it. Your agent is likely a good starting point. They may have an accident forgiveness policy if this is your first time in a car wreck. Even if they don't have a forgiveness policy, you may be able to explain why you're not a safety risk and why this accident was an exception. If you have a solid record otherwise, they may give you a break.

For more information, talk to a car insurance agent like those at Cache Valley Insurance Inc. They can help you decide how best to manage your premiums.