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Auto Insurance Premium
An auto insurance premium refers to the total cost of maintaining your auto insurance policy. The methods of determining an auto insurance premium vary by car insurance company, but typically there are two factors every company considers:
- Risk factor measurement.
- Profit and loss measurement.
Risk Factor Measurement
Auto insurance companies measure risk factor by evaluating the general characteristics shared by high-risk drivers in the past.
For instance, if a company finds that 80% of last year’s claims were filed by young or inexperienced drivers, the company can then assume that young or inexperienced drivers are higher risk drivers than their more experienced counterparts.
Common descriptions of high risk drivers include the following:
- Male drivers. (Yes, gender can affect insurance premiums.}
- Single, unmarried drivers.
- Foreign drivers.
- Drivers with lapses in auto insurance coverage.
- Drivers convicted of multiple traffic violations, particularly dangerous violations such as DUI and DWI.
- Young or inexperienced drivers.
- Drivers in cities with a higher number of annual accidents.
- Drivers of high risk vehicles, such as sport, luxury, foreign or salvaged vehicles.
Persons considered high risk drivers typically pay higher insurance premiums than low risk drivers.
Profit and Loss Measurement
If a company experiences a loss in revenue due to lower premiums and higher payouts, it might decide to raise premiums across the board, or just for drivers considered high risk. Conversely, if a company’s profit margin is particularly high, it might reward drivers with premium discounts for safe drivers.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
You can compare car insurance rates online, or by contacting the Insurance Department in your state.
Once you decide on an insurance company and policy, keep in mind that you can avoid monthly installment fees by paying your insurance premium in full. The savings might not be substantial, but paying in full will effectively lower the cost of your insurance policy premium. Be sure to inquire about payment options at the time of purchasing your insurance policy.
In This Section
Other Topics in This Section
- Auto Insurance Deductible
Online Auto Insurance Deductible Info. Learn How A Car Insurance Deductible Works If You Are Involved In An Auto Accident With Damages To Be Covered By Your Insurance Company.
- Auto Insurance Limit
Look Online For Auto Insurance Limit Details. Car Insurance Limits Vary. Find Out More On The Limits Of Insurance Coverage And Minimum Requirements Set By The State.
- Auto Insurance Quote
Online Auto Insurance Quote Info. Find Out Why Quotes And Insurance Premium Amounts Could Differ. Learn More On Comparing Car Insurance Quotes For A Competitive Insurance Rate.
- Auto Insurance Rates
Learn How A Car Insurance Company Determines An Auto Insurance Rate. Auto Insurance Rates Vary; Gather Multiple Insurance Quotes Online To Get A Competitive Insurance Rate.
- Motor Vehicle Report
Learn More About A Motor Vehicle Report. Find Out Why You Might Need One, Where To Obtain One And How It Compares To A Motor Vehicle Record, Driving Record And Driver History Report.
- Proof Of Financial Responsibility
Info On Auto Insurance And Proof Of Financial Responsibility. Some States That Don't Require Liability Insurance Require Drivers To Offer Proof They Can Pay In The Case Of A Car Accident.
- Auto Insurance Endorsement
Find Auto Insurance Endorsement Info. Our Online Guide Covers Details On Modifying A Car Insurance Policy And Insurance Coverage With Endorsements.
- Auto Insurance Exclusion
Get Auto Insurance Exclusion Details. Look Online For Info On Car Insurance Policy Exclusions And Cases Where An Insurance Company Makes Provisions To Eliminate Insurance Coverage.
- Auto Insurance Code
Guide To Auto Insurance Code Info. Get Online Details On Car Insurance Codes And How Auto Insurance Companies Determine Insurance Rates. Also Learn More On Insurance Premiums.
- Auto Insurance Discounts
Guide To Auto Insurance Discounts. Lower Your Car Insurance Rates With Discounts For Good Drivers, Safety Courses, Bundling Insurance Policies, Auto Insurance Renewal And More.
- Auto Insurance Glossary
Online Auto Insurance Glossary. Learn More On Car Insurance Terms. Our Glossary Of Insurance Terms Covers Types Of Auto Coverage, Insurance Policy Info And More.
- How To Obtain Proof Of Insurance
Learn How To Obtain Proof Of Insurance. Our Auto Insurance Guide Covers Buying A Car Insurance Policy And Getting Competitive Insurance Rates.
- How To Change Auto Insurance Providers
Tips On How To Change Auto Insurance Providers. Learn More On Working With Car Insurance Companies To Change Your Insurance Policy And Get Competitive Insurance Rates.
- Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
More On The Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates. Learn How Gender, Age, Location, Auto Claims, Driving Record Points And More Affect Auto Insurance Rates.
- How To Cancel An Auto Insurance Policy
Steps On How To Cancel An Auto Insurance Policy. Look Online For Info On Car Insurance Policies, Insurance Rates And Handling An Auto Insurance Cancellation.
Insurance Resource Center
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Insurance State Requirements
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Auto Insurance Center
- Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Top Reasons To Buy Insurance Coverage
- Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Buying Car Insurance Basics
- Buying Car Insurance For Teens
- Teen Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Get Car Insurance Coverage With A Learners Permit
- First Time Drivers Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Save Money On Teen Car Insurance
- Common Driving Mistakes Teens Make
- Safe Driving Tips For Teenage Drivers
- Safe Cars For Teen Drivers
- How To Add Teens To Your Auto Insurance Policy
- Tips for Car Insurance Policy Holders
- Types Of Auto Insurance Coverage
- Buying Car Insurance For Seniors
- Senior Guide To Car Insurance
- Extended Insurance Coverage Guide
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Auto Insurance Coverage
- When To Buy Rental Car Insurance
- How To Cover Vandalism Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Auto Theft Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Windshield Repair Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Accidents With Wildlife Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Lost Wages Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Medical Expenses Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Pet Injuries Through Car Insurance
- How To Avoid Auto Insurance Non Renewal
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Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements
- Commercial Auto Insurance State Requirements
- Federal Motor Carrier Insurance
- CDL Federal Requirements
- Commercial Insurance Filing
- State Commercial Insurance Filings
- Federal Truck Filings
- Intrastate Truck Filings
- Interstate Transportation Filings
- Certificate Of Insurance
- Uniform Carrier Registration Plan
- Types Of Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance Discounts
- Multiple Policy Discount For Commercial Vehicles
- Paid In Full Commercial Vehicle Insurance Discount
- Commercial Business Experience Discount
- Commercial Auto Insurance Quotes
- Commercial Auto Insurance Articles
- Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance
- Types Of Commercial Vehicles To Insure
- How To Save Money On Commercial Auto Insurance
- What You Need For A Commercial Insurance Quote
- Types Of Business Vehicle Insurance
- How To Compare Commercial Insurance Quotes
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage
- Types Of Commercial Trailers To Insure
- Online Commercial Auto Insurance
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Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Types Of Motorcycle Coverage
- Accessory Coverage For Motorcycles
- Comprehensive Physical Damage Insurance For Motorcycles
- Collision Insurance For Motorcycles
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Property Damage Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Medical Payments Insurance For Motorcycle Riders
- Personal Injury Protection Insurance For Motorcyclists
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Motorcycle Roadside Assistance
- Motorcycle Insurance Quotes
- Motorcycle Insurance Rates
- Motorcycle Insurance Discounts
- Online Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Articles
- Motocross Insurance
- Dirt Bike Insurance
- Moped Insurance
- Trike Insurance
- Scooter Insurance
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Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Auto Insurance Deductible
- Auto Insurance Limit
- Auto Insurance Premium
- Auto Insurance Quote
- Auto Insurance Rates
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Proof Of Financial Responsibility
- Auto Insurance Endorsement
- Auto Insurance Exclusion
- Auto Insurance Rating
- Auto Insurance Code
- Auto Insurance Discounts
- Auto Insurance Glossary
- How To Obtain Proof Of Insurance
- How To Change Auto Insurance Providers
- Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
- How To Cancel An Auto Insurance Policy
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Insurance Claims
- When An Accident Happens
- Accident Loss
- Auto Accident Payment Recovery
- Total Loss
- Proof of Loss
- Subrogation
- Actual Cash Value
- Lost Wages
- Salvage Vehicles
- How To File An Accident Report With The Police
- Evaluating Personal Injury In Auto Accidents
- First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident
- When To Seek Medical Attention For Personal Injury
- Protection Against Auto Insurance Fraud
- How To Handle Staged Car Accidents
- Types of Insurance Claims
- Bodily Injury Claims
- Property Damage Claims
- Windshield Claims
- Third Party Insurance Claims
- About Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Claims Affect Your Auto Insurance Policy
- When To Cover Personal Injury With Auto Insurance
- How Much Personal Injury Protection To Buy
- Supplementing Health Insurance With Personal Injury Protection
- Pain And Suffering In Personal Injury Claims
- Statute Of Limitations And Personal Injury
- Negligence And Determining Legal Liability
- Auto Insurance Claim Settlements
- Auto Insurance Settlements Involving Personal Injury
- Proving Fault In An Auto Accident Personal Injury Case
- Compensation For Auto Accident Personal Injury Claims
- Tips For Settling A Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
- Factors That Affect Compensation In Personal Injury Claims
- Legal Representation For Insurance Claims
- When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
- When To Hire A Lawyer
- Personal Injury Attorney Fees
- How To Choose Personal Injury Lawyers
- Benefits of Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney
- What To Submit To A Personal Injury Attorney
- Processing Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Handle Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Investigate Accident Claims
- How To Document Auto Accident Damage
- When To Report An Auto Accident To The DMV
- Tips On Documenting Personal Injury Expenses
- Paying Medical Bills Before Receiving Personal Injury Compensation
- Wage Loss In Personal Injury Auto Accident Cases
- How To File A Loss Of Wages Auto Claim
- Stages Of A Personal Injury Case
- Filing Car Insurance Claims
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