Auto Insurance can contain so many different types of coverages in so many different amounts that it can be hard to pin down any exact policy that will work for every person out there looking to insure their vehicle. Your rates can change drastically based on factors like your living area, your driving history and your specific provider. When making the important decision to obtain auto insurance you will not only want to think about the types of coverage you would select but also many additional factors which can also impact your overall premium; we are going to run you through the top choices so you can make a informed and accurate decision that you will not regret.
Your Driving History
Depending on your past experience out on the road and what may show up on your driving record your available auto insurance rates could be either decreased or increased. It is a simple equation here, if you do not have a poor driving record or a whole bunch of tickets and accidents (more than the average individual in your area) then chances are that your rate will be lower than you may expect. On the other hand, if your driving record is scarred heavily then you should expect to pay more for the same coverage.
Available Discounts and Deductibles
When seeking to maintain a low rate on your auto insurance there are two very important things you should be aware of and those are any available discounts and deductibles through your provider. One good piece of advice is to choose a higher deductible to help lower your premium, although this does affect how much you will have to pay out of pocket given an accident scenario. You are going to have to pay up to the amount of your policy deductible out of your own finances if and when a damaging event should occur. There are usually also other ways to save on your premium amount by taking part in various available discount programs, most times these discounts go even deeper if you bundle up your coverage for something like your vehicle and your home or apartment. Often there can also be opportunities to save money by taking additional training courses, make sure to check with your provider to see what you qualify for before making your final decision.
Vehicle Type and Typical Usage
Another factor that can define your insurance rates is the amount of time you spend driving on the road. In most cases, the longer you commute to work or the more time you spend driving (and the longer the distance) the more likely that something could happen out on the road, so your insurance provider would raise your rates depending on your answers for that information. Additionally, you may not have thought about this but the vehicle you are driving also can make a big difference in the insurance rates that you will pay for it. In the same respect and distance and time on the road causing higher chances of an incident, an insurance provider will also look at the make and model of your vehicle and include information about the safety and reliability of your vehicle in their decision making process for your premium.
Where and How You Live
There are still more factors that come into play with your insurance rates that you should be aware of and the next one on our list is where and how you are living. You may ask… how does my living situation have any impact on my car insurance premiums? But the answer is that where you reside and the surrounding areas can play a significant role in your coverage rates. This is another statistics game your insurance provider will have to play as they leverage information about the amount of crime, traffic, level and rate of accidents and much more. It is also likely that if you live in or near a large sprawling city that you may have higher insurance rates to consider but keep in mind that rates can also drop if you own your own residence.
Your Age, Gender and Marital Status
Another factor for consideration in your policy rates are your age, gender and marital status. Oddly enough, it turns out that the statistics say that married drivers are less likely to get into some sort of accident than people who are not married; I personally find that hard to believe as after listening to my wife in the car for an hour I am ready to drive into a wall! Just kidding folks, my wife is a wonderful human being and I love her very very much (Hi Honey!). Additionally younger more inexperienced drivers that may be new to the road or just haven’t had the time to practice very much are more at risk, while female drivers in general pose a lower accident risk than male drivers.
Your Credit Score and History
It can be tough enough to deal with building and establishing a solid credit history but rest assured that once you do it can help you with your auto insurance rates as well! There is a successful correlation made here between people who have higher credit scores and those people encountering lower levels of accident experiences across the road. We suggest staying on top of your credit and its history for many reasons but also because it will help you save money with your policy. This information is not allowed to be available for policy rate consideration in some states.
Your History of Coverage
Insurance providers want someone who is reliable and who has a history of taking care of their vehicle by maintaining auto insurance for it. If you have a lapse in your insurance coverage for your vehicle at any point in your past or if you at some point carried a very low amount of coverage (lower than recommended) then you may have the experience of higher auto insurance premiums.
There are so many different factors that go into addressing, assessing and creating the perfect policy for your car insurance coverage; once all of your information is collected and you state your desired coverages then a trusted insurance provider can help you review your available options. One or more of these various factors could be effecting your current auto insurance rates as well so make sure to gather your information and contact your local representative to learn more about how you can lower your premium or get the absolute coverage you deserve.