Car insurance is required in most states to drive legally, yet can be expensive. An auto insurance calculator can help you figure out the appropriate coverage amount that meets your budget needs based on factors like vehicle type and optional coverages available as well as personal data that influence cost of car insurance policies.
Calculators offer estimates of how much car insurance coverage will cost based on certain variables such as your age and driving history, but estimates don’t give an accurate picture of costs from specific insurers; quotes take more information into consideration and show the potential rate you could get with specific providers. Therefore, using multiple calculators and comparing quotes across providers to find the best rate possible.
An online calculator can provide an estimate of the average costs associated with basic liability car insurance coverage – required in most states and designed to pay for other people’s property damage and injuries caused by you while driving – as well as how adding additional policies like collision and comprehensive may change your premium costs.
Calculators take personal and driving information into account, including how often you drive and your previous claims history and traffic violations. If you have recently been involved in tickets or accidents, your rates will increase compared to someone with a clean record; similarly if you live in an urban area your insurance premiums could differ significantly than someone who lives further out in the suburbs or countryside.
Other factors that could have an effect on your car insurance rates include your credit score and gender of any drivers in your household. Drivers with poor credit will typically pay more because insurers use it as a predictor of risk when setting rates; however, California, Hawaii and Massachusetts do not use credit scores to establish insurance premiums.
Your vehicle model also plays an integral role in your car insurance estimates. Coupe-style cars tend to cost more due to higher speeds and riskier driving behavior; on the other hand, safer sedans such as sedans may cost less in premiums – insurers take into account repair and theft costs when setting rates for each model vehicle model.
Adjust the deductibles you want for your coverage to lower or raise rates based on how much of an out-of-pocket payment you’re willing to make per claim, with typical amounts falling between $500 and $1,500 deductibles being most popular choices. A higher deductible usually results in lower rates; however, you’ll have to be prepared to spend more out-of-pocket should a claim arise; our calculator can help you weigh these factors to choose one that meets your budget needs.