How to Calculate Car Insurance Premiums


To calculate your car insurance premiums, you need to know what factors affect them. These factors include the Insured Declared Value of your vehicle, the age of your vehicle, and your Claim history. If you want to save time and hassle, you can use an auto insurance calculator. These sites ask a series of questions about your lifestyle, driving record, and vehicle. Then, they show you the corresponding quotes based on your answers. You will receive three to five quotes right away.

Variables that affect car insurance premiums

The zip code where you live has a huge impact on the rate of your car insurance. In California, zip codes are related to up to 91% of your premiums. Street address is also an important factor in determining your premiums. Big cities have more accidents and crime, and insurance premiums tend to be higher. Rural areas tend to have less traffic and property crime. Therefore, you can save money on your premium by choosing a rural area.

Insured declared value

When calculating the premium of your car insurance, make sure that you know what your Insured Declared Value is. This is the maximum amount that your insurance company will pay you if your car is stolen or damaged beyond repair. It is important to know this figure so that any claims that you file will be processed smoothly. The insured declared value is also important for the safety of your car because depreciation can lower the value of your car by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Age of vehicle

When you are renewing your auto insurance policy, one of the most important factors is the age of your vehicle. Insured Declared Value (IDV) is calculated by taking the years of use into account, as well as depreciation of the ex-showroom price. The table below explains how age affects the IDV. For cars that are older than five years, the market value is assumed.

Claim history

Your claim history can have two major effects on your car insurance rates. If you have a clean record, it’s not a big deal. However, if you have had an accident or filed a claim, it can have a big impact on your rates. Your insurer will look at your claim history when determining your rate class. Keeping a clean history will help your insurance company assess your risk.

Cost of collision

When calculating car insurance premiums, you should include the cost of collision coverage. Collision insurance covers the costs of damages to your vehicle and also protects you financially if you get into an accident. Some insurance packages include collision coverage but you can often drop it if you don’t need it. Make sure to compare the different collision car insurance quotes you receive to find out which policy suits your needs best. Also, consider whether the cost of repairs would be more than the cost of the coverage.