How does where you live affect your auto insurance rate?

Today, every state requires drivers to carry insurance, and what you pay for insurance over the life of your vehicle can be greater than the cost the car itself. As you probably know, insurance companies base their rates on many factors, including your age, driving record, marital status and the type of car you own. What may come as a surprise, though, is that where you live also has a significant effect on your insurance premium. The reason is simple: Your place of residence influences your likelihood of having an accident, as well as how much the mishap might cost. Higher claims translate into higher premiums.

Insurance companies are likely to ask a series of questions about your particular area to figure out how big a potential risk you'll be:

How densely populated is it? City drivers almost always pay more than their country cousins. Put simply: More cars mean more fender benders. Rates in Vermont, for example, are among the lowest in the United States. Plenty of empty roads.
What's the weather like? Snow and ice translate into skids and crashes. But it's not just rough winters that raise rates. Oklahoma sometimes has serious hail storms that leave cars pockmarked. A flood-prone area also can mean higher premiums.
Do you live in a high-crime area? Grand theft auto is no game to insurance companies. Break-ins and vandalism also raise claims and rates.
Are local roads well designed and maintained? Pot holes and dangerous intersections can fuel accidents and insurance claims.

Insurance companies factor the answers to these questions into the rates they offer you.Insurance companies look at more than just the local conditions that can cause accidents when they're determining your insurance rates. One consideration, for example, is your state's policy about medical benefits. For example, Michigan guarantees unlimited personal injury protection and also requires insurers to pay victims up to three years of lost wages. Consequently, the state's rates are among the highest in the U.S.

Comments

Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates

You may not realize it, but your overall rate is also affected by many more different factors – some of which you can control, and many of which you cannot. However, knowing what affects your rate can help you make a more informed decision when purchasing insurance, and can help you know exactly what to do to lower your expenses. Demographic Factors Your gender, age, marital status, geographical location, and credit score all affect your insurance rates in different ways. 1. Gender and Age Young men usually incur higher rates than young women as statistically, more male teenagers have accidents than female teenagers. However, older men generally have better rates than older women. Some evidence suggests that older women are in more minor accidents than older men – though the difference in premium costs usually isn’t drastic. 2. Marital Status Married people tend to have fewer accidents than single people; therefore, getting married (especially for men) can significantly

Car Insurance

The Basic Types of Coverage Protecting your assets and your health are two of the primary benefits of car insurance. Getting the proper coverage is the first step in the process. These are the basic types of coverage with which most people are familiar: Liability : This coverage pays for third-party personal injury and death-related claims, as well as any damage to another person's property that occurs as a result of your automobile accident. Liability coverage is required in all but a few states. Collision : This coverage pays to repair your car after an accident. It is required if you have a loan against your vehicle because the car isn't really yours — it belongs to the bank, which wants to avoid getting stuck with a wrecked car. Comprehensive : This coverage pays for damage incurred as a result of theft, vandalism, fire, water, etc. If you paid cash for your car or paid off your car loan, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage, particul

How Your Home Affects Your Insurance Rate

Many homeowners are looking for the best deal when it comes to their home insurance. They want to get the coverage they need, but they don’t want to pay a lot for the coverage. It’s natural to want to save as much as possible on monthly expenses. To get an idea about how insurance companies determine your rate, it’s important to understand your home. The Location of Your Home Matters When it comes to your home insurance, risks are a significant factor in determining the price you pay. One risk factor you may not consider is the location of your home. Homes that are in an area with very few natural disasters present fewer risks. Homes near fire departments present fewer risks to insurance companies as well. Insurance providers will consider factors like these when they write policies. Your Home’s Structure Affects Your Rate An important determinant of the rate you pay for home insurance is your home’s structure. Homes that will require a lot to of money to repair o

Farmers Insurance - Matt Metzger

Search This Blog