Car insurance is an agreement between you and an auto insurer to cover losses caused by accidents. Understanding how car insurers calculate coverage costs will help you choose a policy tailored specifically to your budget and needs.
Although each insurance company uses their own formula for calculating coverage costs, most consider similar general factors when calculating premiums. These may include:
Age and driving history. Insurance providers tend to charge younger drivers more as they are viewed as high-risk. With experience comes reduced rates as you become a lower-risk driver; gender can also impact rates differently; male drivers usually have higher premiums than their female counterparts.
Your vehicle also plays an integral part in the cost of your insurance premiums, with different models having differing theft, collision and comprehensive costs. Insurance providers also consider the size and body style of your car when setting their premium rates; typically SUVs cost more than sedans.
Your location plays an integral role in the cost of car insurance, as rates may differ by state and zip code. Areas with more traffic and crime can lead to higher premiums; on the other hand, rural regions tend to experience less congestion and crime and thus often offer cheaper insurance premiums.
Spending more time driving can increase the risk of an accident, requiring higher coverage levels. Our car insurance calculator takes your driving habits into account for more accurate coverage estimates.
An excellent credit history also plays a factor in your insurance rates, since many insurers use your score to predict the likelihood that an accident claim will be filed against you. Therefore, being diligent with payments and maintaining good credit history are both key components to staying cost-effectively insured.
MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator helps you strike a balance between minimum coverage requirements and extras that fit into your budget. Our insurance experts have designed our calculator so that it allows users to find their optimal insurance package with maximum value added extras, like roadside assistance or gap insurance policies that may significantly raise premium costs.
As well as these general factors, your state’s laws and regulations can have an effect on the cost of coverage. Some states impose mandatory coverage requirements; other provide minimum liability coverage while also offering optional policies like personal injury protection (PIP).
MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator gives an accurate estimation of your premium costs based on the information you enter, while also suggesting which coverages may provide better protection while others could help reduce costs. We compare car insurance quotes from several top insurers so you get the best rates! To use our free car insurance calculator, just enter your personal details such as name, address, driving record and gender – then compare quotes between them to find you the most affordable policy deals!