5 Moves that Can Kill Your Car Insurance Budget

Reader’s Question:

They say that you will pay more on car insurance premiums if you drive more, is that true? If so, what are the other things I should avoid to keep my car insurance rates from skyrocketing?

Camden

Fort Worth, TX

Yes, simply being on the road more increases your chances of getting into a car accident or collision. Now something like this is a direct risk towards the car insurer’s business. The higher the risk you represent, the bigger rates you’ll be charge so your insurer can compensate. Aside from incurring more mileage, here are a few other things that could cause you to pay more on your coverage, most of the time unnecessarily:

1. Filing Claims Frequently – Claims equals accidents, accidents translates to risk, more risk means more rates. File too much and you’re effectively telling your insurer you’re a lousy driver who deserves to be overcharged on rates.

2. Letting Your Credit Slide – People who have excellent credit tend to be more responsible driver (at least, that’s what your insurer wants to think). So those with excellent credit are given good rates and vice versa.

3. Getting into a Car Accident – Now to be fair, most insurers nowadays tend to forgive your first accident (especially if you’ve been a good driver) however frequently getting tickets and even minor accidents can quickly make your rates astronomical.

4. Moving to the Big City – Why? This is due to the higher risk of getting into a car accident (and filing a claim) due to the increased crime rate and traffic density.

5. Adding a Teen on Your Policy – This is a no-brainer really; we all know that most teens are hardly law-abiding Einsteins when you put them behind the wheel.

Aside from doing your best to avoid most of the above stated factors, going online and running a free car insurance quote will also help you find the best providers and deals allowing you to save money on your policy.