As you shop for car insurance, you may have seen that rates vary widely by company and state. While it can be challenging to determine exactly how much your premium will be depending on your individual circumstances, there are ways you can lower it by managing factors such as car type, driving record and annual mileage. In addition, having good credit and making payments on time may lower rates while some companies also offer usage-based telematics programs which offer discounts for safe driving practices.
Auto insurance is an agreement between you and an insurance company whereby you pay a monthly premium in exchange for protection from financial loss resulting from damage or injury to your car and others’, or their property and theirs, in an accident. Most states mandate minimum coverage levels which usually fall somewhere around 50/100/25 ratio in relation to vehicle value; meaning up to $50,000 can be paid out for each person injured, and up to $100,000 paid out per accident with up to $25,000 paid out for property damage claims.
Your age and sex can also impact your rate, depending on your driving history and history of traffic violations, accidents or suspensions. Younger drivers with poor records such as multiple violations, accidents or suspensions tend to pay more; men tend to pay more due to being more likely to drive fast cars that could pose more danger; some states don’t consider gender when calculating premiums however.
Location can have an enormous effect on car insurance premiums. Cities typically experience more accidents, theft and vandalism claims than rural or suburban areas, which will drive up premiums accordingly. You should also anticipate paying more if your vehicle is desirable to thieves; luxury or exotic models tend to attract thieves more readily as their replacement parts may cost more than expected.
Addition of optional coverages like collision and comprehensive can further increase your rates, providing coverage against repairs or loss to your car if financed via loan, lease agreement or contract.
Outside these factors, other elements that could influence your rate include the type and frequency of use for business purposes; some insurers offer special policies tailored specifically for delivery or rideshare services. You can easily determine what your car insurance will cost by using MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator; it allows you to compare various providers based on coverages they offer and customer service reviews.