Auto Insurance Pricing Factors
1. Lapses in Coverage
Having auto insurance is the law in nearly all states in the U.S. but many people cancel their coverage and don't think twice about it. This is not a good move because insurers look at this as an added risk. People who do not maintain continual vehicle insurance are also more likely to cancel a policy or not pay their premiums. This is why this often overlooked factor plays a big role in rates. If you are switching to a new insurer, just make sure there are no lapses, and you should be able to get a cheaper policy in the future.
2. Your DMV Driving Record
Almost everyone thinks they are a good driver, even people that get into numerous at-fault accidents. It always seems to be someone else's fault, but many people are just lousy drivers. Car insurers take accidents and traffic violations seriously. If you have received a lot of tickets, especially more severe ones like reckless violations, then you will be paying a lot more to get covered. Those drivers with no crashes and no tickets for a three-year or longer period are considered safe drivers. This should be an important objective to all money saving motorists because having a good driving record will save you 15% or more on automobile insurance. If you have more than 3 tickets on your record, get them cleared up as soon as possible. Go to court and talk to the judge and work out a payment plan or go to traffic school. Once you get your driving record clean, maintain it by obeying all traffic laws and drive safely.
3. Your Age and Driving Experience
This is a super big factor that plays a large role in what you will pay to get covered. Motorists that are between 18-25 pay the highest cost to get covered of any age group. Yes, that means that elderly adults over 80 can get insured for less than a 19 year old teenager. The reason for this is all stat based. Young drivers take more risks driving and engage in super dangerous behavior like texting while driving. As a consequence, this group of drivers get into more accidents than any other and often pay twice as much for coverage. The sweet spot for low rates is between 35 and 60. These motorists, if they maintain a good DMV record, can get exceptional cheap rates. For those young people 24 and under, take a certified defensive driving class and get good grades in school. These two things can save you a combined 15% or more.
4. The Vehicle you Drive
Most people do lots of research on the car they want without ever even thinking about the expense of auto insurance. The type of automobile, year and current value plays a very big role in determining rates. Some cars that you might think would be expensive to insure are cheap and others that you would expect to be really costly are not. For example, a late model Jeep Cherokee is less expensive to insure than many sedans like a Honda Accord. This is because Honda's are frequently targeted by thieves. Auto insurers pass these costs onto consumers who own these often stolen vehicles. If you are on a tight budget, get a car that is 4 or 5 years old and non-sporty, like a Toyota Camry. Avoid new or used sports cars like a Porsche or Corvette. Also, stay away from vehicles that are always on top of the 10 most stolen automobiles. Do your research on the car you want simultaneously with the cost of insuring it and you will know if you can afford it.
Shop Online for Lower Rates
Now that you have gained an insight into the main factors that insurers use to calculate premiums, it's time to compare quotes. The best place to comparison shop car insurance prices is on the web. Apply for your free custom quote today and save more of your money on auto insurance.
