Car Insurance Cost
How much you’ll pay for car insurance depends on many factors. Here is a list of many of the primary factors:
- Your driving record – The better your record, the lower your premium. If you’ve had car accidents or been ticketed for violations, it’s likely you’ll pay more than if you have a clean driving record. You may also pay more if you’re a new driver without an insurance track record.
- How much you use your car – The more miles you drive, the more chance for accidents so you’ll pay more if you drive your car for work, or use it to commute long distances. If you drive only occasionally, you may pay less.
- Where you live – Due to higher rates of vandalism, theft and accidents, urban drivers pay a higher auto insurance price than those in small towns or rural areas.
- Your age – In general, more mature drivers have fewer accidents than less experienced drivers. If teenagers are licensed and in your household, you will pay more due to a greater risk for an insurance company..
- Your gender – Historically, women tend to get into fewer, and less severe, accidents than men. So all other things being equal, women may pay less than their male counterparts.
- The car you drive – The cost of your car, and the cost of its replacement parts, is a major factor in the cost to insure it. Other factors are the potential for theft and the overall safety record of the car.
- Your credit – Insurance companies may use an insurance score mainly tied to your credit. Historically, there is a connection between the likelihood of you filing a claim and the likely cost of that claim.
- The type and amount of auto insurance coverage – The coverage limits and deductibles you choose, whether you choose comprehensive and collision coverage (referred to as “full coverage”), will be big factors in the premium you will pay.
A good insurance agent will be able to discuss how your premium is determined, and recommend cost-saving options. And if you consult an independent agent, they should have many companies to choose from, and can compare rates with all your circumstances to find the best rate for you!