What Determines Your Car Insurance Rates?

There are several factors that are put together by insurance gurus to decide what your premium will be.

1. The value of your vehicle (the higher the value, the higher the car insurance premium)

2. Your driving record

3. Your age

4. Your marital status (getting married did not make me a better driver! How about you?)

5. Where you live

6. Your sex

7. The make and model of your car (some makes are stolen more than others)

If you live in the city but own property elsewhere you should check into using that address to register your vehicle. If the property is outside the city, the premiums for that area will most likely be lower.

If your under the age of 25 (especially if your male) perhaps you can register and insure your car under your parents name, with you as a part time driver.

If you are the parent of a teenage driver you can restrict their driving privileges so they will be listed as an occasional driver. This may save you a few dollars.

You can always save some money by choosing the higher deductible on your insurance. You can ask an insurance company what the policy quote is with both the lower and the higher deductible. How much will the higher deductible save you? It may be worth it to choose that for your policy.

If your buying a car you may want to think about looking at one with a smaller engine. A vehicle with a larger engine costs more to insure.

The value of the vehicle will also make a difference in your insurance premium.

Have you had any auto accidents? If you've had one or more you could be considered a high risk to the insurance companies. You can take a defensive driving course to help get a lower premium. Taking this course could get you a discount on your car policy.