Due to insurance companies paying out unprecedented sums and claims, you will notice that your automotive insurance rates have increased. According to industry watchdogs auto insurance for 2022 had an average increase of 9% and for 2023 the average increase is 7%. Here are some of the factors that determine your rates:
- Driving record
- Credit history
- Make and model of your vehicle, as well as the mileage
- City and state you live in
- Age and gender
Accidents and traffic tickets are one of the biggest contributors for rate increases. Each year when your policy renews the insurance company will look at your driving record to see if you have had any accidents or traffic violations.
One year I had a “no fault” accident (someone hit my car in an ice storm while it was parked on the street) and my insurance company said I was high risk and dropped me. Ouch. It took a few years to get rid of that and get my rate back down. Sometimes insurance agents will help you by offering as many discounts as possible. I of course took a defensive driving course and was able to get a 10% discount for 3 years, this really helped offset the high cost.
There are so many items that affect your insurance rates. Here are some more of those items:
• Your age (under 21/25 and over 62)
• Gender (boys under 25…yikes!)
• Full coverage or bare-bones liability
• Married or single
• Own or rent your home
• Longevity/Loyalty (how long you had coverage with your last insurance company)
I remember the good old days when my full-coverage insurance rate was $61 a month. And it even included roadside assistance and towing. When I added my 16 year old daughter to my insurance plan, my insurance more than quadrupled. I thought “Thank God she’s a girl and not a boy. How much would my insurance rates have increased if she had been born a son?” And I did the math. It would have been cheaper to fly her to Sweden to get a sex change.
If you review the items above with your insurance agent, perhaps a few of those items can be addressed and may help to lower your insurance rates. Good driver discounts and good student discounts can also be addressed. Most insurance companies still give a discount for taking a state-approved defensive driving class. It just makes sense that they would prefer that you take a “refresher course” to help make you a better driver. And some reward you for doing so. The discount is typically 10% off your liability insurance for three years (but can be anywhere between 5% and 25% off). Ask your insurance agent about this and all discounts.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Insurance Rates Increased – Comedy Defensive Driving