Top 10 Factors Affecting Auto Insurance Premiums

When it comes to shopping around for car insurance, there are many considerations to keep in mind. Whether you are a new driver or have many years of driving experience, now is as good a time as any to understand how insurance companies evaluate you in order to come up with a premium for your vehicle coverage policy. This is particularily important if you are shopping around for the cheapest car insurance, and why shouldn't you? Basically, according to many auto insurance professionals, the following is a list of the top 10 factors affecting your insurance premiums for auto protection.

1. Year, make and model of vehicle: The more a vehicle costs to repair will be more expensive to insure. Fast sporty cars will have a heftier premium than a 4 cylinder sedan, as will cars that are prone to theft, as well as newer vehicles.

2. Gender: Unfortunately, this is one you have no control over. Statistically, females have less collisions than male drivers.

3. Vehicle usage: Do you commute to work, or is the car used mainly for pleasure? How much mileage do you drive yearly?

4. Age of driver: According to insurance professionals, younger drivers pose a higher risk level. The more years you have been insured consistantly, the lower you can expect to pay.

5. Past claims: Companies look at your past driving record, especially if you have made claims in the past. If you have been involved in accidents, and have been found to be at fault, you will be considered a high risk driver.

6. Offenses and traffic violations: Insurance companies reward safe drivers with lower policy premiums. So make sure you keep those traffic offences to a minimum.

7. Where you live: If you live in an area where the crime rate is high and there is a higher chance of theft and vandalism, that risk will cause your coverage to increase.

8. Drivers education or training: If you have taken a course in drivers Ed, this will help lower your cost of insurance.

9. Coverage type: The more coverage you have, the greater your fees become. Normally, newer vehicles require more coverage. Liability, collision and comprehensive, fire, theft and vandalism are among the most popular options. By law, you are obliged to have liability coverage, but anything more is all up to you to decide whether it is necessary or not. It is important to wisely weigh your options.

10. Deductibles: This is where being a good driver can pay off for you. The safer driver you are, the less likely you are of being at fault in accidents. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums a considerable amount, however you should make sure that if you do have to make a claim, you are able to cover that deductible amount.

As you can see, there are many elements affecting the premium you can pay for vehicle protection, which may explain why you are paying more or less than your next door neighbor. Even with all of these things in mind, it is important to shop around for the cheapest auto insurance, and this is easier than you may think. The internet is full of insurance websites offering free auto insurance quotes making it easier than ever to compare rates, and make your choices based on these comparisons.

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