Monday, August 3, 2009

7 Things That Affect How Your Car Insurance Rates Work

By Pete Goose

It's essential to be aware how car insurance works and how premiums are calculated. The formula for computing the rates are not revealed, but some factors will give you a clue how much you should spend for car insurance. Here are some aspects that will either cause a raise or reduction in your car insurance rates, depending on your level of risk.

The extent of coverage you need or want will affect how much you spend for car insurance. Obviously, the more protection you want, the more you will have to pay. Take for instance liability insurance, the cheapest type of car insurance, will make you spend less compared to a full coverage plan.

The amount of your deductible will greatly determine how much you pay for car insurance. A deductible is basically the sum of money you pay before the insurance company starts paying a covered claim. The more cash you are willing to pay out before the insurance company does, the smaller amount you will spend in premiums. A small deductible will encourage the insurance company to offer you a better premium.

You driving record also plays an important roll in you premium amount. If you are prone to accidents, the insurance companies will take you as high risk. This will cause an increase in premiums. If you have a good driving record, you will pay less in premiums because you are less of a risk to them. The insurance companies love low risk people.

Credit rating significantly affects car insurance premiums. A higher credit score will mean better rates with your car insurance policy. This is because you are deemed as less risk by insurance company if you are more responsible with your credit.

Your location can influence your car insurance rates. If you reside in a bigger city with many cases of burglary, your insurance premiums can be higher. Insurance companies will give you a discount based on your residence, anti theft security feature of your car, and the parking area of your vehicle when not in use. You have less control over the discount rate unless you own a car with many safety features.

You age affects your car insurance rate also. Usually, more years in driving will mean lower pay for car insurance. Teenagers and people under 25 years old are charged with higher rates than other age group. Seniors likewise pay higher rates because teenager and seniors are both prone to car accidents.

Lastly, the type of car you drive has direct impact on your car insurance rate. The number of security features, age of vehicle, and type of automobile you drive will vary your car insurance rates. If you plan to buy a new car, determine how much you will have to spend to insure your car.

Hopefully these 7 tips that affect your car insurance rates will help you understand how car insurance works, and how your rates are calculated. The more you know about car insurance, the better off you will be in the long run.

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