Drive Here to Find Out Why My Car Insurance is so High
Do you often ask “Why My Car Insurance is So High?” Well, there are several factors that determine the amount of monthly premium you would pay. The average annual cost of auto insurance is about $2,148, but there is a huge variation because many things affect the price of a policy.
All of the factors that affect the price of a policy help determine how likely you are to have an accident. Most surprising is that many of the factors that analyze these possibilities are better at predicting that you may have an accident than your own driving record.
However, not all insurance companies use all of the listed predictors, and some companies may use others that are not included. In general terms, the price of your auto insurance policy may vary depending on any of these factors in no particular order of importance:
Driving Record
The better your driving record the lower your auto insurance premium. If you have committed traffic violations, have tickets or have had accidents with the vehicle, it is very likely that you will pay more for your insurance premium than if your history is free of these.
You may also have to pay more for your insurance premium if you are a novice driver, just got your driver's license, and have not had auto insurance for a number of years.
The Usage
Your use of your car and the miles you drive annually is another factor to determine your insurance premium. The more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be in an accident. If you use your car to work or travel a long distance to work, you will pay a little more than if you only use the car occasionally, which is known as pleasure use, in which case you will pay less for car insurance.
Place Of Residence
Where you live and where you keep the car is another determining factor that is considered. Where you live and where you park your car can affect the cost of your auto insurance premium. In general, due to greater chances of vandalism, theft, and accidents urban areas tend to be more expensive for auto insurance than smaller cities, towns, and rural areas. Other factors that vary from one area or state to another include the cost of litigation in the area, costs of vehicle repair expenses and costs of medical services, the presence of widespread auto insurance fraud, and the weather conditions of the location.
Maturity And Age
Still want to know “Why my car insurance is so high?” Typically, if you are an older driver with not as many auto accidents and a long history of driving compared to the less experienced drivers, especially teenagers, your policy may be less.
Most insurance companies will generally charge people under 25 a higher rate of insurance. Therefore, young adults or parents have to be mindful of the possibility of paying higher monthly insurance premiums.
Gender Plays a Part
Statistics indicate that women have less possibility of getting into an accident. Women also have less possibility to drive while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. In addition, they have accidents that are less serious than those that occur while men drive.
Of course, this depends on the individual specifications and the driving history or driving history of each, which will have a greater impact than generalities, on how much auto insurance will cost.
The Insured Person's Credit
For many insurers, an insured's risk rating based on the driver's credit history is one of the most valid tools in predicting the likelihood of an individual filing an accident claim with their auto insurance company.
The credit histories used in insurance are based on credit information that includes the payment history of the person, if he has delinquent accounts, if he has declared bankruptcy, how much debt he owns, and how long he has a credit history.
For example, a credit history showing timely payments on credit card and mortgage payment accounts has a positive effect on the use of credit history for insurance.
Type Of Coverage
In addition, you have to look at the type and amount of insurance coverage purchased.
In almost every state in the country, by law, a driver is required to have minimum liability insurance coverage.
Each state determines the limits of coverage required in the state, and they are generally very low. Additionally, the vast majority should consider purchasing more than the minimum required coverage. What's more, the recommended amount of coverage is usually ten times more than the minimum required by state law.
If you buy a new car, or a recent model (or are financing the vehicle), it is very likely that you purchase elective coverage against collisions (collision coverage) and coverage for other damages than collision or extensive (comprehensive), which repairs or will replace the car for damages suffered due to weather, theft, physical damage to it, etc.
The collision and extensive coverage are subject to a deductible, and the higher it is, the less it will pay for the premium of that portion of the insurance. While there is no legal requirement that you purchase collision or extensive coverage, if you finance the vehicle, the finance company may contractually require you to purchase it.
Classic Vehicles
If you have an expensive vehicle such as a rare or classic vehicle, you will end up paying more for insurance. Those vehicles are more likely to be stolen, replaced, and may have costly auto repairs. Therefore, insurance companies pay attention to these little details, including the various features installed in the vehicle to improve its performance.
Other factors could also play a part in the high cost of insurance such as the size of the engine, its make, and model.
However, if the vehicle has specific safety devices, the insurer may provide you with premium discounts to lower the cost of the insurance.
Safety Of Vehicle
Most insurance pays attention to the safety of your vehicle, not only for the driver’s sake but also for the passengers. The insurer also looks at the damage the vehicle has incurred on another vehicle during an accident. If your vehicle has the potential of inflicting damage to another vehicle, your insurance premium may be increased as a way to ensure liability coverage.
Steps To Take
To decrease your insurance premiums, there are steps you can take such as:
Improving your credit
Asking insurer for appropriate discounts
Driving safely
Increasing your deductible
Reducing coverage on classic or vintage cars
Placing different coverage into a group
Paying quarterly instead of monthly
Taking a defensive driving course
Conclusion
Insurance premium is based on diverse factors and so, everyone’s situation is different. If you are trying to relocate to another area, for example, it is best to find out ahead of time the variables that would affect your premium in that location. Try to practice safe driving, and you could also speak with your insurance agent to find out how you can lower your payments.
If you do these things, you will never have to question, “Why my car insurance is so high?” If you want to know more about how insurance premiums are calculated and how you can lower your monthly premiums, then go over to the Goalry platform and head directly to the Insurry store.