The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that on average, there are over 6 million car accidents in the U.S. every year. No matter how carefully you drive, accidents inevitably happen. Not only do auto accidents shake your self-confidence behind the wheel, but they can also have a large impact on your bank account.
The National Safety Council reported that in 2013, the average property damage cost of a car accident was $9,300. This amount does not include auto accidents that cause disabling injuries; this amount averaged out to $80,700 per crash.
Illinois vehicle auto insurance is something that you cannot avoid. The Road Traffic Act 1988 notes that all motorists are required to be insured against their liability to other people. If you unexpectedly get into an auto accident and cause damage or injuries to either yourself or another party, auto insurance is designed to cover at least part of your expenses. You can think of auto insurance as investing a little bit of money now to save a lot of money in the future.
Obtaining Your Rate
There are many different factors that go into determining how much your annual car insurance rate is. While some factors do not pull as much weight when it comes to rates, others have a larger impact than you may think. Overall, the general rule of thumb is the less risky you are as a driver, the lower your Illinois vehicle auto insurance.
Age
How old you are is a major factor in how much your auto insurance rate is. The younger you are, the more expensive your auto insurance rates will be, even if you are a good driver. Auto insurance companies view teen drivers as more of a risk just because they don’t have as much driving experience as older adults. Data also points to teen drivers being more reckless behind the wheel, and they get into more accidents than drivers of other age groups. There is roughly a $4,321 difference between the most expensive insurance premiums (teens) and the most affordable insurance premiums (50-year-olds). As soon as drivers hit 20 years old, age becomes a less prominent factor in determining auto insurance rates. This becomes less impactful again at the age of 25.
Driving History
A clean driving history will benefit you when it comes to auto insurance rates. Auto insurance companies see a clean driving record and base your future driving habits off of that. If your history is filled with tickets and other violations, your insurance rates will likely go up.
Driving Experience
Experienced drivers are less likely to make mistakes or cause violations. Years of driving experience can teach you a lot of valuable lessons and lead to overall better driving skills.
Location
Both state and zip code also play a factor in your auto insurance rates. Keep in mind that car insurance regulations vary based on the state in which you live. For example, states such as Michigan are no-fault states, meaning that it requires drivers to carry unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. States with additional coverage requirements are more expensive than states that require minimum amounts.
Zip code also plays a role in determining car insurance rates because of external rating factors that are associated with the neighborhood. In areas with more drivers, insurance is more expensive because there is an increased risk of an accident.
Insurance History
As soon as you get your license and are on the road, you should be covered under Illinois vehicle auto insurance. Car insurance companies will assume that if you had your license but you didn’t have insurance, this means that you were driving uninsured.
Annual Mileage
The amount of miles that you put on your car every year has an impact on your insurance premiums simply based on this logic: the more time you spend on the road, the higher your chances of getting into an accident. For example, there is roughly a $100 annual premium difference for those who drive 7,500 miles a year and 15,000 miles per year.
Type of Vehicle
The vehicle that you are driving automatically impacts how expensive your auto insurance is. A new sports car will cost more to insure than a minivan that is 10 years old. This also coincides with the type of driver presumed to be behind the wheel of each car; sports car drivers may be more aggressive drivers than the driver of a family’s minivan.
Claims History
Do you have a long claims history? Your claims history is composed of all of the insurance claims that you have filed as well as claims that have been filed against you. This is a red flag to insurance companies and may result in an increased rate.
The Company
Finally, the auto insurance company that you choose will greatly impact your Illinois vehicle auto insurance. There is a big variance in rates from company to company, and our team at Accurate Insurance is dedicated to providing some of the most affordable rates around!
If you are interested in getting a quote, utilize our site to get one in four minutes or less! Contact us today with any questions that you have.
