While shopping around for car insurance, it’s important to know all the different factors that go into the price of your premium. Car insurance companies collect information on your vehicle, as well as additional factors, to help determine how much you need to pay for insurance. To speak specifically on the automotive factors, the insurance company may use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to access information and they may contact you directly for additional information needed. Below is a list of all factors that can have an impact on your car insurance:
- The vehicle production year
- The make and model of the vehicle
- Safety features of the vehicle
- Car alarm (if applicable)
- Total number of vehicles you currently insure
Additional Factors
As you know, car insurance is not just reflective of the car being insured. Two additional factors will have an effect on your car insurance coverage and price: the driver of the vehicle and the insurance company you go through. Below is a list of driver factors and insurance company factors that can potentially change your policy.
Driver Factors:
- The age of the driver
- The driver’s driving record
- Total number of drivers on the insurance policy
- The current credit score of the driver
- Homeownership
- Where the driver lives
- Grades (applicable to teen drivers)
Insurance Company Factors:
- Payment plan
- Length of time insured
- Your state’s law
Keeping Your Limits and Deductibles In Mind
Limits on policies are the maximum amount that policy will pay towards a covered loss. Typically, most coverages within a policy have their own limit, but these can sometimes be adjusted to be tailored to your current needs. It’s common that the more coverages that you purchase, the higher your premium will be. The amount you agree to pay before insurance kicks in to help pay for a covered loss is known as your deductible. Settling on a higher deductible means that you will end up paying less for your policy.