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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

What Factors Help Determine My Insurance Rate?

By Ashley Jones


While you are shopping for auto insurance there are a few important things that can affect the rate you will pay for coverage. The factors that can affect your monthly or your yearly insurance premium are sometimes in your own control. Some things that can influence your rates are your type of car, your record on the road, where you live and what you do for work. Here are some ways these things can affect your rates.

What type of car do you drive?

There is an easy way to start saving money on your insurance - check the type of car that you drive. Your type of car affects your insurance rates based on how safe it is. Insurance companies determine the risk that you pose in your car. This means that people who drive cars are usually safer than people who drive trucks or SUV's since those vehicles have fewer safety features and are more likely to be in an accident. Also, a newer model year may have more safety features than an older, so upgrading your car to a new year could save you some money.

How's your driving record?

The other big thing you have control over when it comes to determining your car insurance rate is your own driving record. If you have lots of tickets, accidents or other moving violations, you will be classified as a high risk driver and your insurance will be more expensive. Keep your driving record clean and you will pay less for your insurance.

Location, location, location

Your current address has a significant bearing on how much your insurance costs. Whether you live in an urban area, a neighborhood with high rates of crime, or if you park outside somewhere with high rates of weather damage, you could find yourself paying more for insurance. Your insurance company will also take into account how far you have to commute and what times of day you will commute - more time on the road means more opportunities for an accident and the chance for you to cost your insurance company more. These potential costs are passed on to you in the form of higher premiums.

Your occupation

Your insurance company may also take into account your occupation when they are setting your car insurance rates. If you have a job where you drive often because of travel or other circumstances or if you are likely to be on the phone often while you are on the road, you can be charged more for insurance. Usually there are insurance discount options for people who are retired, who work from home or who use public transportation to commute - less travel during busy driving hours means less likely to be in a wreck and lower rates.




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