As car insurance gets more expensive and people have less money in a tight economy, more and more people are looking to shave off some expenses by shopping for lower auto insurance. However, in order to shop for car insurance you need an understanding of the factors that affect rates.
Here are a some factors that determine your auto insurance premiums:
Your Age - Your age affects how much you pay in auto insurance. People under 25 will pay more than people over 25 because they tend to get into more accidents. They are more expensive to insure because of it. With all else equal, motorists in their 50’s and 60’s pay less in insurance because they get in fewer accidents than other age ranges.
In the past gender played a role in insurance rates. However, that has changed as more and more women are taking to the roads. Women are just as big of a risk as men when it comes to driving.
Are you single or married? With all else equal a married person ends up paying less in auto insurance than a single person. Statistically, married people have fewer traffic infractions and car accidents than single people so naturally insurance companies will charge them less.
Geographical Location - The city and state you live in is an important factor in determining your auto insurance premiums. Rural areas tend to be less expensive than a dense city location because there are fewer cars and less of a chance of getting into an accident. There is also probably a smaller chance of vandalism or theft in a more rural setting.
Are you a bad driver? It is pretty simple - if you want low auto insurance rates then be a safe driver. If you have accidents and traffic citations on your record then you are naturally going to pay more than someone who has a clean record. If you were running an insurance company wouldn’t you do the same thing? If you want to enjoy lower rates then drive more carefully and maintain a clean record.
The car you drive - What kind of vehicle you drive affects the amount of insurance you pay. From its make, model, year, safety devices and features, to the mileage can either increase or decrease your car insurance premium. If you were an insurance company who would you charge more for insurance? The guy who drives a $75,000 Mercedes or someone who drives a $2,500 El Camino?
Finding Cheaper Auto Insurance:
Shop around to various companies before buying or renewing your auto policy. You can shop around several ways. One is to poke around on the internet, another is to contact your local insurance agent and finally you can call the 800 line of a major national carrier. Don’t figure that all companies will charge you the same rates. You might find some large differences:
There are many websites available where you can comparison shop by getting multiple quotes from various insurance companies. These are particularly useful.
You also can contact your local insurance agent. If you appreciate a personal relationship then ask for a referral and go meet the agent in his office. It can be useful to have a relationship with someone in your community versus a person on the other end of an 800 number.
Slade Tanner - Auto Insurance in Tampa, Florida