Chances are, car insurance wasn't the first thing you thought of after the proposal. In fact, you might not have thought about how marriage might affect your car insurance rates at all. But after the decorations have been cleared and honeymoon adventures logged, you'll want to consider adding "check on combining car insurance policies" to your newlywed to-do list. Car insurance is usually cheaper for married couples — with a few important caveats.

No Matter What, You'll Likely Save. Even if you do absolutely nothing, the sheer fact of being married is likely to have a positive impact on your rates once your policy is up for review. The Zebra, a car insurance comparison engine and digital auto insurance agency, projects a premium savings of 10-12 percent when all other factors remain the same.

When Combining Policies Makes Sense.

To nab an even steeper discount, consider combining your car and your beloved's in a single policy. This makes the most sense if you both have spotless driving records and no recent gaps in insurance coverage.

Remember, too, that in addition to lower rates, having two cars on the same policy can often earn you multi-car discounts from insurers. Moreover, even if your household only has one vehicle, you can still earn discounts for sharing a policy.

Even if a family only has one car, we would still recommend a single policy that would cover both drivers, since it ensures that both drivers are insured without incurring the extra cost of a second policy.

Finally, combining your auto insurance policy with existing homeowners' or renters' policies from the same company could lead to even greater discounts overall.