| Congratulations, you have just purchased the | | | | logic should be obvious. |
| car of your dreams; you worked a great deal, | | | | |
| now it is time to insure it. Car insurance | | | | Car insurance companies are now looking at |
| is mandatory in all states, and must be | | | | your credit worthiness. Do you have |
| maintained throughout ownership. Insurance | | | | excessive, outstanding credit, or no credit |
| quotes can vary from company to company, and | | | | at all? If so, you are a risk in the eyes of |
| there are a few factors that you can control, | | | | the insurance companies, and will get socked |
| and other factors you cannot. A full | | | | with higher insurance quotes. Keeping your |
| understanding of how insurance quotes are | | | | credit in check will show the insurance |
| arrived at, will give you the best rate, and | | | | companies you are responsible, both |
| maximum coverage. | | | | financially, and on the road. As a result, |
| | | | you will pay lower premiums. |
| Factors that cannot be controlled include the | | | | |
| age of the driver. Common sense tells us | | | | Your occupation can put you at a higher risk. |
| that a new driver would be more of a risk to | | | | Jobs that require many hours of driving, or |
| an insurance company, than an established | | | | driving in hazardous conditions, or places |
| driver. Therefore a driver in their early | | | | will put your quote at a higher rate. Less |
| 20's would pay a higher premium than a driver | | | | driving, and exposure to high-risk |
| in their 40's. Further, elderly drivers have | | | | opportunities, will result in lower premiums. |
| poor reaction time, and similarly would pay | | | | Additionally you want to keep your annual |
| more of a premium. The ideal driving age | | | | mileage down to a minimum. The more miles |
| would be between 35 to 55 years; anyone | | | | you drive, the greater the risk of accident. |
| younger, or older would pay more. | | | | |
| | | | Vehicle theft is a risk factor that can |
| Gender is another uncontrolled factor that | | | | easily be minimized. Most companies will |
| insurance quotes are based on. | | | | give you a discount for having better |
| Statistically, insurance companies see | | | | security for your vehicle. An alarm, or |
| females as safer drivers than males. As a | | | | another approved anti-theft device will |
| result, female drivers pay less than their | | | | usually result in some discount. Some |
| male counterparts. | | | | companies may insist on having such devices |
| | | | installed on more expensive and desirable |
| There are factors, which we can control, | | | | cars before they even consider offering you a |
| namely the amount of traffic tickets and | | | | price. |
| accidents. A ticket is a violation of law | | | | |
| that could potentially result in an accident. | | | | Some companies look favorably on drivers who |
| Insurance companies frown on this, and will | | | | have taken a defensive driver's course. They |
| penalize the driver with higher rates. | | | | see this as a commitment to safer driving, |
| Similarly, accidents could indicate a pattern | | | | thereby lowering the risk of accident, |
| of behavior; as such the driver is penalized | | | | resulting in lower premiums. |
| with higher rates. | | | | |
| | | | Keep in mind these are just general |
| Where you live is another controlling factor | | | | guidelines, and the difference in price |
| that effects insurance quotes. Living in a | | | | between various companies can be significant. |
| rural area, puts the driver at much less risk | | | | What one company may consider a high-risk |
| of accident or theft as compared to living in | | | | factor another company may not view as so |
| a city. As a result, city drivers will pay a | | | | important. The bottom line, keep your credit |
| larger premium than rural drivers with very | | | | in check, be careful on the road and choose a |
| few exceptions. | | | | car that fits your budgets. |
| | | | |
| Want to drive a Porsche 911 Carrera? It will | | | | Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for |
| cost you. The more your car is worth, the | | | | Car Insurance Quotes Resource Visit for |
| higher your insurance quote will be. The | | | | more information. |