Ever wondered how insurers calculate the cost of your premiums? If so, you’re not alone. Insurance pricing is a bit of a mystery for many, making shopping around for car insurance quite difficult. However, it helps to know the factors that affect your car insurance rates so that you can make an informed decision on your policy and insurance provider for cheap car insurance for new drivers.
To help you get started, here are three factors that affect your premiums.
1. The make and model of your car
Certain types of vehicles cost more to insure. For instance, expensive cars such as Teslas cost your insurer a lot if you make a claim and your car is written off, which makes your premiums higher. Modifying your vehicle, whether for performance or cosmetic reasons, can also lead to higher insurance rates. So, check with your insurer first before altering your car.
If you’re looking to renew your car insurance or want to buy a new car, check what insurance group your car is in to give you a rough idea of how much you’ll pay.
2. Your driving habits
Generally, this includes:
• Your driving record: If you’re a responsible driver and have a clean driving record, your premiums are more likely to be lower than that of a reckless driver. However, if you’ve never had insurance before and are new to driving, expect to pay more.
• How much you drive: Using your vehicle more and driving for longer distances exposes you to more risk, increasing your insurance rates. So, if you only use your car on the weekends, your insurance rates won’t be as high as a person who drives to work daily.
3. Where you live
Before giving you a quote, insurance providers look at a range of statistics from your area, including how busy it is, the crime rate, general driving behaviour, and the average number of fraudulent claims filed each year.
If the general risk of accidents in your area is high or you live near/in a city centre, you’ll likely pay more.
Now that you know some of the factors that affect your car insurance rates, it’s time to compare quotes from different providers. Simply browse our website to find your car insurance provider today.