Commuters in California are finding that the rising price of gasoline may come with hidden benefits.

As gas prices continue to increase, more and more Californians are turning to mass transit to save money on gas, but what they may not realize is that using public transportation may have a positive effect on their pocketbooks.

Because auto insurance premiums are based on a variety of factors, including the type of car being insured, the driver's record, and the annual mileage driven, changing your commute so that you're driving less and taking busses and trains more can earn you a discount on your premium. Most insurance companies offer lower premiums for those who drive less than a certain amount of miles each year – generally 14,000, but sometimes as low as 10,000.

While low-mileage discounts are not exclusive to Californians, the Golden State has seen a mass transit ridership increase of 4% to 6% over last year, and across the nation the use of public transportation is at a 50-year high, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Candysse Miller, the executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California, explains, "As commuters turn to public transit to reduce their household fuel bills, they should report reduced annual automobile mileage to their insurer or insurance agent. While the insurance savings may not completely offset the impact of sky-high gas prices on your household budget, the combined benefit of reduced fuel, maintenance and insurance costs could make public transportation a budget bonus for many commuters."