What determines car insurance prices?

Question

I'm going to get my first car soon. im 20 years old, been driving for a while, clean record. someone told me that the car you drive really makes a difference in the insurance price. Ive heard things like, white cars are cheapest, old cars are cheapest as well..

I dont knwo what car I'm buying but I want to get something that will get me a cheap insurance. So what shuld I get? An older car or a newer one? Also does color matter? things like that. thanks all!

Answer 1

Top 5 Factors Determining Your Car Insurance Rate
Auto insurance can be confusing and mind boggling sometimes and it’s hard to determine exactly why some individuals are receiving rates which are lower than others. There are many factors which contribute to the rate of auto insurance, some you have control over and others you don’t.

Below you will find valuable information regarding the factors which are compiled in order to determine the rate of your car insurance. These will help you understand important aspects of auto insurance and why some individuals receive higher rates than others. Here are the top five factors which auto insurance companies will consider when determining your rate of insurance:

1. Age – Your age will greatly affect the rate of your car insurance. Teenagers and individuals who are just beginning to drive will have higher rates for no reason other than their age. There is nothing you can do about this, as you get older and become a more experienced driver your rates will go down. Although they will go down, they will not stay down. When you reach a certain age your car insurance rates will go back up because you are an elderly driver and your eyes and coordination may not be as effective anymore.

2. Auto Insurance Companies – This is a factor which you have control over. Some car insurance companies offer lower rates than others for many reasons. It is up to you to choose which one will benefit you the most both now and in the long run.

3. Gender – Whether you are male or female will also affect the rate of your car insurance. This is yet another factor which you have no control over. Females generally have lower car insurance rates because according to insurance companies men are seen as potential dangerous and careless drivers who are more likely to be involved in car accidents.

4. Type of Vehicle – As much as we would all love to be driving a shiny silver Porsche Boxter all around town, the insurance rates for these types of vehicles are unreal. If you want your auto insurance rates to be low, I would suggest driving a car with a lower price tag. The more money your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate will be.

5. Driving Violations – This is another factor which you have control over. I know how tempting it is to race your friends the moment you get your license for the first time, but the amount of money you will pay in the long run hardly seems worth it. Any form of ticket you receive can potentially raise the rate of your car insurance. If you want to pay less for car insurance I would suggest abiding by the rules of the road.

Although these are the most important factors in determining your rate of car insurance, there are many other factors which also play a part in how much you will pay. Auto insurance is something we all have to pay for, but by researching and understanding the aspects of this form of insurance you are learning how to reduce your rate to your best ability.

Answer 2

The price is based on your driving record, your age, your credit status, and the type of vehicle. A Toyota pick up will cost more than a Nissan Altima for example. Suvs, pay higher fees because their vehicle can cause more damage than other vehicles. Sporty,turbo,those are terms the insurance company hates and they charge you more because the vehicle could be used for racing,or the driver may abuse the power of the car. If you are a male under the age of 25, you will pay big bucks, because statistics have shown that males in that age group tend to be more reckless than the average. Married and over 25, rates drop dramatically. An older car would cause the rate to be cheaper,and you likely could carry just liability,or the lowest amount your state allows, because you probably wouldn't have a lienholder. If you have a lienholder, you are required to carry "full coverage" for the life of the loan. If you paid more than the norm for your vehicle and you get in a wreck, the insurance company will only pay the fair market value of the car, you would be responsible for the balance on the loan whether the car was driveable or not.They do sell "gap" coverage if your situation is this. Good luck in your shopping adventure, as you can see, there is alot to consider.

Answer 3

yes you're right. insurance companies collect statistics and price insurance accordingly. instead of calling themselves insurance companies, a better name for them would be probability analysts. if they discover all their accidents are caused mainly by white males aged 18-25 driving sports cars then any young white male with a sports car will have a huge policy cos they can prove on past history that the % risk of you making a claim is higher than an 85 year old widow driving a shopping cart. cars also are 'banded' abd policies are priced accordingly > engine size, sports or saloon etc.

best advice, get a small 2nd hand car with a small engine and not too sporty or expensive, find one wiuth genuine service history if you can and take someone who knows about cars with you everytime, dont buy the first thing you see. its not the buying of the car thats the real expense its the running of it. you're smart enough to ask before you buy and find out the hard way, good luck

by the way everybody who has answered your question is totally right so far, use this knowledge to your advantage now

Answer 4

I would recommend one to visit this website where onel can compare rates from the best companies: http://COVERAGE-FINDER.NET/index.html?src=1YAoCW6svY75inO

RE :What determines car insurance prices?
I'm going to get my first car soon. im 20 years old, been driving for a while, clean record. someone told me that the car you drive really makes a difference in the insurance price. Ive heard things like, white cars are cheapest, old cars are cheapest as well..

I dont knwo what car I'm buying but I want to get something that will get me a cheap insurance. So what shuld I get? An older car or a newer one? Also does color matter? things like that. thanks all!
2 following 9 answers

Answer 5

An older 4 door car will require the least insurance. It varies among companies so get different quotes before settling on one.
Also if you get a car that is paid for and you are not required to get full coverage insurance...then it will be alot cheaper. Make sure that you also get the uninsured motorist if you get just liability.

Answer 6

There are lots of factors that affects car insurance cost and that matters a lot is the locality of the company.
I recommend you not to go with a cmpany without getting a quote from them :)

Answer 7

Talk to your insurance agent.
Color doesn't matter.
Age, zip code and record matter
How much coverage, Liability or full.
Buy a mid-size sedan, spend what you have to in order to have a reliable car. You better get full coverage in case you hit someone, so your car will get fixed.

Answer 8

Some factors they consider:
Your age
Where you live
What type of car

When you turn 25, you should get a "mature driver" break.
If you're a straight A student, you could get a discount.
If you live in the city, as opposed to the suburbs, you'll pay more.
Candy apple red is the worst color in terms of insurance premiums.
If the car is so new that you finance it, you'll pay more than if you buy the car outright.
The deductible you choose has an impact on your premium as well. For example, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.

Answer 9

gender .. men have higer insurance then women...

age: 25 is where u get a break in insurace ( depending on your prior driving record)

marital status: single people go out more (more risk of , married people stay home more .. $2500 less for being married..

and also where u live?

what kind of car u drive? accords and f-150 on the hot list..

saftey features get a small discount...
going to driving school could aslo help.

they will ask u l alot of questions.. shop around. you might be payin big bucks!!

Answer 10

Compare free quotes from dif companies at http://help.howmuchiscarinsurance.us

RE What determines car insurance prices?

I'm going to get my first car soon. im 20 years old, been driving for a while, clean record. someone told me that the car you drive really makes a difference in the insurance price. Ive heard things like, white cars are cheapest, old cars are cheapest as well..

I dont knwo what car I'm buying but I want to get something that will get me a cheap insurance. So what shuld I get? An older car or a newer one? Also does color matter? things like that. thanks all!