Car insurance is a necessity for all drivers, but premiums can cost a pretty penny if you don’t shop carefully for the best rates. There are many factors that can affect the cost of your insurance in Arizona, and tuning into these factors can help you name a better price. In some cases, you have control over how much these factors affect your premiums and other times you don’t. This article will cover the major factors that affect car insurance rates in Arizona so you can be a savvy insurance shopper.
Factors You can’t Change
There are two factors that will affect the price of your insurance that you have no control over whatsoever. These are your age and your gender. Females in the middle years of life are typically considered the safest drivers, so they receive the best premiums as a rule. Unfortunately, if you don’t fall into this category, you will probably have to pay a little more for car insurance coverage. However, there are many other factors you can manipulate to save a little money.
Driving Record
The more tickets you’ve received and accidents you’ve been in, the higher your premiums will go. Some states, like Arizona, offer a defensive driving class after a moving violation that will erase the ticket from your record completely. Beyond that option, obey the traffic laws and avoid accidents at all costs if you want to keep your insurance rates as low as possible.
Credit History
Believe it or not, your credit history can also play a role in what your insurance premiums will be. It’s not unusual for an insurance company to view someone with poor credit history as a driving risk as well. Even having no credit can count against you when it comes to insurance premiums.
Type of Car
Some cars are seen as higher risk than others. For example, if you want to drive the flashiest red sports car in Arizona, you will probably pay the price in higher insurance premiums. By the same token, that sensible family sedan or van may become well worth it when you see lower premiums overall. You can also reduce insurance premiums by choosing cars with additional safety features or anti-theft devices.
Don’t assume you have to accept the first insurance premium that comes across the bargaining table. By knowing the many factors that go into setting those rates, you can do plenty to bring your own insurance costs down.
