Cost and buying
The rating factors carriers use, ranked by how much they move the number
Two neighbours with identical cars can pay very different premiums. The reasons are systematic, and knowing which of them you can influence tells you where effort is worth spending.
Your garaging ZIP code aggregates local claim frequency, theft rates, repair labour costs, weather exposure, and litigation patterns. Age and years of licensed driving matter because inexperience is measurable in claim data. The make and model of your car carries its own repair and theft profile.
Your coverage levels, deductibles, annual mileage, payment method, and whether you maintain continuous coverage are all decisions rather than circumstances. So is the vehicle you buy — checking insurance cost before you buy a car is far more effective than shopping for discounts afterwards.
An at-fault accident is the most expensive single event for a typical driver, followed by serious moving violations. Not-at-fault claims usually have a smaller effect, and comprehensive claims such as glass are usually treated more gently than at-fault collisions — though frequency of any claim type can trigger repricing.
Colour does not affect premiums. Checking your own quotes does not damage your credit or your record. Marital status, occupation, and education are used in some states and restricted in others. And loyalty is not automatically rewarded — long-standing customers are frequently not on the best available rate.
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