We all know the awesome feeling of finding a great auto insurance plan. However, it’s important to remember that these rates are not the same for everyone. There are many factors that go into affecting your auto insurance rates. Today, we are going to learn about some of these factors. Here are 13 things that affect your auto insurance rates.

Demographics

Age and Gender

One major factor that auto insurance rates are determined by is the age and gender of the individual. Young males tend to have more accidents than young females. Therefore, young males usually pay higher premiums than young females. However, older males tend to have lower auto insurance rates than older women due to the fact that older females get into more accidents than older males.

Where You Live

Statistically, most car accidents occur close to home. For this reason, your zip code factors into your auto insurance rate. For example, a densely populated area has more cars, which means a greater risk of an accident.


Marital Status

Marriage is a great way to lower your auto insurance rates.

Credit History

Insurance companies will check your credit score. Individuals with lower credit scores tend to pay higher insurance premiums.

Profession

Your profession plays a part in your auto insurance rate. Individuals who drive frequently for work tend to pay higher premiums. Those who work in police or fire departments tend to pay lower premiums because insurance companies view them as safer drivers

Car-Related Factors

Age of the Car

Newer cars tend to be more expensive to fix after an accident than older cars. Therefore, newer cars often have higher collision coverage rates, which means higher premiums.

Likelihood of Theft

A car that is one of the top stolen vehicles will generally have higher rates. An anti-theft device can help lower your premium.

Safety Rating

A vehicle with a better safety rating generally means fewer injuries. This leads to lower rates. The more safety features your vehicle has, the lower your premium is.

Vehicle Size

Larger vehicles tend to be safer in an accident than smaller vehicles. Smaller vehicles with larger engines are at greater risk at getting accidents, which means higher auto insurance rates.

Annual Mileage

The less you drive, the less chance you have of getting into an accident. It’s really that simple.

Your Driving Habits

Driving History

Your insurer will inquire about past driving infractions and accident history when determining your rate. The more of those you have, the higher your premium will be.

Driving Activity

People who commute often for business are often in more accidents. If your driving activity is high, your rates will be high, as well. 

Claims Record

Insurance companies will research how many times you’ve made claims with other insurers. If you tend to make more auto insurance claims than average, you are more likely to pay higher rates.

Final Thoughts About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can play a major factor in one’s budget, so it’s important to research these factors to try to lower your rates as much as possible. While all these factors are not in your control, it’s up to you to be a smarter and more knowledgeable driver.