2009-05-18

8 Factors That May Affect Your Car Insurance Rates

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Age- Your age will be considered by your auto insurance company when determining your car insurance rates. Drivers on either side of the prime age groups are considered higher risks, so their insurance rates will be higher. If you are a teenager or adult in your early twenties, you will pay the highest insurance premiums of all the risk groups usually, but checking online car insurance quotes can still help you save. Driving record- This factor can be affected by your actions, and a clean driving record will give you dramatic savings on your car insurance policy. Even one speeding ticket or moving violation can cause your auto insurance costs to jump up. If you want the cheapest rates on your auto insurance policy, drive safely and cautiously. Marital status- If you are married, you will pay less for your car insurance than a single person with all of the same criteria and driving record. This does not mean you should tie the knot just to save money on your car insurance bill, but if you are already married or planning this event, you can get your car insurance for less. Gender- If you are a female, you will usually enjoy lower rates on your car insurance. This may not seem fair to males, but women have historically been safer drivers then men. Because of this fact, auto insurance companies will offer a female driver lower rates than a male driver with identical factors. Compare online car insurance quotes- Online insurance quotes can help you find the lowest car insurance rates available. These quotes will let you compare the coverage amounts and the cost for the car insurance policy, so that you can choose the insurance provider that offers the best rates without losing any coverage. Credit score- Your credit score can have a major impact on your auto insurance costs, and if you have bad credit you may be paying higher auto insurance premiums simply because of this fact. You can see big savings if you improve your credit score. Pay your bills on time and pay off any debts you owe, and you will see your insurance rates go down in states that allow car insurance companies to use your credit score. Location- Where you live and work can offer you savings on your car insurance, or cost you more in premiums. If you live or work in a high crime or high risk area you will have to pay more for your auto insurance policy. This is because there are increased risks of your car being damaged or stolen. Keep this in mind when you choose a home or employment, and choose places in low risk areas. The number of miles driven each year- Your insurance premiums are partially based on how many miles you drive during the year, with the thought being the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to have an accident or incur a claim. If you minimize the miles you drive, you will see cheaper auto insurance rates.

A Good Credit History Can Save You Hundreds Of Dollars On Your Car Insurance

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When you go down to get car insurance, you want to get the best deal and the lowest auto insurance rates that you can. There are some facts about your credit score and credit history that may cost you more in car insurance premiums, and this does not just include your credit score. Insurance companies use a number called an insurance credit score. This score takes into account the actual credit score on record, but also a number of other things that affect your rates as well.
Public records may be checked for any liens, foreclosures, bankruptcies, collections, judgments, and charge offs. Keeping these items off of your public record will give you lower insurance rates with most auto insurance providers. Past payment histories may also be checked, and for more detail than just how many times you have been late, including how many days you were late each time. Make sure that you make your payments on time every month to keep car insurance costs low.
The total length of time you have had a credit history can be a factor in your car insurance costs, so if you do not have credit then apply for some to get in the system. Sometimes not having any credit at all is just as bad as having poor credit, so use your credit wisely, but at least establish it and you can get lower car insurance premiums.
Many auto insurance providers will check the number of inquiries for credit when they determine the rates for your auto insurance policy. Insurance companies will look at factors including any new applications for car loans, personal loans, mortgages, credit card accounts, and utility accounts as part of this specific check. Do not apply for credit just because you can, or it could end up costing you more for your car insurance.
The lines of credit that you have open and the types of credit that you use are both usually considered when an auto insurance company determines your risks and your car insurance rates. The credit cards you have will be considered, whether you use the credit cards or not. Only keep credit cards that you use, and close any card accounts which you do not want or need. Only apply for and use the credit that you have to, because these factors will reflect on your auto insurance bill.
The last area of your credit history which will have an effect on your auto insurance costs is your used/available credit ratio. The amount of credit you can use is compared to the credit you actually use, and the lower the ratio is the better your car insurance costs will be.
Knowing all of the areas of your credit history that will be evaluated by the car insurance companies can help you lower the risks involved in these areas, so that you will get great car insurance rates and see substantial savings. If you pay attention to these areas of your credit history, you will get lower car insurance rates on your policy.

Higher Deductibles Can Give You Large Savings On Your Car Insurance Policy

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One of the best ways to lower your car insurance costs and see significant savings is to choose a higher deductible for your policy. Your deductible amount is the amount that you will be expected to pay if you file a claim under that specific portion of your auto insurance policy. There are usually different deductible amounts for different coverage types included in the same car insurance policy, such as medical, collision, and comprehensive.

The deductible amounts for the comprehensive and collision portions of your car insurance are usually in the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars, five hundred dollars, or one thousand dollars. By choosing a deductible in the amount of one thousand dollars instead of two hundred and fifty dollars can save you as much as forty five or fifty percent on your auto insurance premiums. A very good idea is to take the money for your deductible and put it into an interest bearing savings account. This way the money is available if a claim happens, but until that time you are putting your money to work earning interest while getting lower car insurance rates in the bargain.

If you live in certain states then No Fault insurance is available as an option to lower car insurance costs. These states limit the ability of motorists to sue for damages, and require insurance that covers the driver and not the other vehicle. No fault insurance requires that each person receives claims from their own insurance company, not the other drivers. No fault insurance also has a deductible, and this insurance covers personal injury protection only, no physical damage. The usual deductible amounts for this coverage are no deductible, two hundred and fifty dollars, five hundred dollars, and one thousand dollars. If you choose no deductible, your car insurance rates will be significantly higher than if you choose the thousand dollar deductible. The same principal applies, with the amount of your deductible being deposited into a savings account to earn interest and the highest deductible possible.

The health insurance you carry may affect the medical deductible you choose. A higher medical deductible can save you some money on your car insurance, but many medical insurance plans will not cover any injuries suffered from an automobile accident. It is a good idea to talk with your health insurance carrier to see what exclusions your medical policy has. You can choose the highest deductible to get lower car insurance costs, but if an accident occurs and you get injured it may cost you if you have a high deductible and your health insurance company denies the claim.

The deductible you choose for each type of car insurance coverage included in your policy will have a huge effect on the amount of money you have to pay for this policy. The philosophy is that the more a claim costs you, the more careful you will be, and so your risks will be lower. Choose high deductibles to get huge savings on your auto insurance.