About you and your driving
- Driving record: accidents, tickets and violations in recent years.
- Claims history: how many claims you have filed and how large they were.
- Experience: how long you have been licensed. Newly licensed drivers usually pay more.
- Continuous coverage: a history without gaps often helps.
- Credit-based insurance score: used in many states. A few states, including California, Hawaii and Massachusetts, do not allow it for auto rates.
About your car and how you use it
- Vehicle: make, model, age, safety features, theft rates and repair costs.
- Location: where the car is kept overnight, including local traffic, theft and weather patterns.
- Annual mileage and use: commuting, pleasure or business use.
Choices you control
- Coverage and limits: higher limits and more coverage cost more.
- Deductibles: a higher deductible usually lowers the premium. See deductibles explained.
- Discounts: such as multi-car, bundling, safe driver, good student, anti-theft devices or paying in full, where offered.
Because each insurer weighs these factors differently, comparing quotes is the most reliable way to see your options.
Questions
Why did my rate go up when nothing changed?
Rates can change at renewal because of wider factors such as repair costs, claims in your area or the insurer's pricing updates, not only your own record.
Does my ZIP code really matter?
Yes. Where the car is kept affects the insurer's view of traffic, theft and weather risk.
Can I ask which factors affected my quote?
Yes. Ask the agent which factors and discounts were applied.
