Last Updated on November 24, 2022 by
There are a few certainties in life, one of which is car insurance. No matter what vehicle you own or how old you are, you will be required to have insurance coverage on your car as long as you drive it. Similar to your mortgage payment or electric bill, your annual premium is an expense that you should factor into your budget as long as you maintain a vehicle. Unlike your mortgage payment, however, your insurance premiums can fluctuate and are dependant on several variables.
The majority of states in the U.S. require that drivers carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to operate any vehicle legally. The laws are in place to ensure that everyone on the road is protected. In the state of Virginia, driving an uninsured motor vehicle would lead to fines and suspension of driver’s license and vehicle registration. An sr22 insurance virginia would be required to reinstate your driving privileges. Liability insurance protects other drivers if you are at fault in an accident. This policy will pay for property damage and bodily injury claims for the other drivers but won’t cover you or your vehicle. As a result, many drivers seek additional protections provided by collision and comprehensive coverages. Additionally, if you lease or finance a vehicle, the financial institution will usually require that you carry these additional policies.
Comprehensive and collision insurance policies protect you and your vehicle regardless of who is at fault in an accident. These additional coverages will also pay for some non-accident-related damage due to things like hail or vandalism. Across the United States, the average cost for full coverage is about $1,600 per year. For drivers who only maintain liability coverage, the average cost is about $550 per year. How insurers arrive at the annual premium rates depends on several things, and you could have higher or lower rates depending on your situation. Let’s take a look at car insurance costs.
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Vehicle Type
The type of car that you drive will be a big determinant for insurers when calculating premium rates. Factors such as the safety ratings of the vehicle, the likelihood of theft, and the specific equipment on the car are all factored in the risk to insure. The cost of the car will also be a major consideration. For example, the 2018 Jeep Compass insurance cost will probably be less than the insurance for a 2018 Tesla. This is due to the amount that it would cost to replace the vehicle. Newer vehicles that have higher values will typically have higher insurance rates.
Driving Record
Your driving record says a lot about what kind of driver you are and how safe you are on the road. It also tells insurance companies how much of a risk you’ll be to insure. If you have previous speeding tickets and accidents on your record, an insurance company might see you as a high-risk driver, and your rates will be higher as a result. On the other hand, you will garner lower insurance premiums if you have a clean record without any driver’s license points. Additionally, new teenage drivers without a documented track record will pay more as their risk is unknown.
Age and Gender
In general, insurance companies see mature drivers as being more experienced. As a result, they are deemed less risky, and insurance rates will usually decrease as you get older. The magic number for insurance premiums to change is around 25 years of age. With gender consideration, women statistically have fewer accidents and are involved in fewer DUI situations. As a general rule, women usually pay slighter lower rates than male drivers.
The amount you’ll pay for insurance is impacted by everything from your age to the type of car you drive. Additionally, insurance companies also look at your location, driving patterns, and credit score to consider what kind of client you might be. Insurers have complicated formulas for determining annual premium amounts. In general, someone over 25 with a clean driving record will pay lower insurance rates than others. Last but not least, there are multiple factors you should consider when choosing who insures your car. But, putting in the time and effort to look for a suitable insurance provider will pay off when you find the right policy that fits both your needs and budget.
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