How Car Insurance Rates are Determined

There are several factors that account for how much you'll pay for your car insurance. Learn what these factors are and which ones you have some control over.

Shopping for car insurance is very different than shopping for other items. Unlike other consumer items, there is not one set price that everyone pays for auto insurance. In fact, the premiums people pay to insure their cars can vary dramatically. Here are some of the factors that may influence how much you pay for auto insurance:

Your Driving Record
Your driving record plays a big role in determining your premium. If you've been in an accident that was found to be your fault or if you have traffic offenses on your record, you'll probably have to pay more for your auto insurance. Why? Because statistics indicate that such drivers generally have repeat accidents or violations within three years. Drivers with poor records may have trouble finding insurance, but there are state-regulated plans called "assigned risk pools" or "shared markets." In these plans, the state assigns a company to provide coverage for a high-risk driver.

The Car You Drive
Certain models of cars may be considered risky because they cost a lot to repair, are frequently involved in accidents, or are popular targets for car thieves. Owning one of these "high-risk" cars may double the amount you pay for collision and comprehensive coverage. For example, high-performance cars and sports cars usually cost more to insure. Keep these factors in mind when shopping for a car.

Where You Live
Car insurance rates are regulated on a state-by-state basis, so rates in California will not be the same as rates in Texas. Car insurance rates also vary between locations within a state. This is mostly due to risks such as accidents, theft and vandalism, which can vary greatly from one community to another. It's been determined that people who live in small towns generally have fewer accidents than people living in large cities, so they may pay less for auto insurance. Regional weather conditions and local auto repair prices may also be taken into account.

Age
Drivers under 25 generally have more accidents than older drivers, so younger drivers pay more for car insurance. Drivers between 50 and 65 years of age usually have fewer accidents and are sometimes offered discounts. Over the age of 65, accidents seem to increase and rates usually begin to rise again. Drivers over 70 years of age may have trouble finding an insurer to accept them as a new customer, and often when these drivers do find insurance, it's quite expensive.

Marital Status
Marriage has its perks - at least when it comes to auto insurance. Statistically, young married drivers have fewer accidents than young single drivers, so they usually pay lower car insurance premiums.

Your Family Members
Your age, gender and driving record aren't the only factors that determine your insurance premium - those factors are considered for the other drivers in your household, as well. A teenager who drives your car or a spouse with a poor driving record will probably increase your insurance rates.

Gender
A young man under the age of 25 usually pays more for car insurance than a woman of the same age. That's because young men are involved in more accidents than young women and have more than three times as many fatal accidents.