Does being unemployed put car insurance up?

Asked by: Prof. Kurt Howell DDS  |  Last update: December 20, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (37 votes)

Auto insurance and employment: how are they connected? Not having a job won't impact your insurance premium. However, what you do for a living may help you save money on your auto insurance policy.

Does unemployment affect auto insurance?

Unless you have poor credit or don't make your premium payments on time, your unemployment shouldn't meaningfully influence how much you pay for car insurance. Navigating unemployment is hard enough without having to worry about expensive car insurance costs.

Does your job impact your car insurance?

Insurance companies look at various factors to determine your auto insurance rates. These factors typically include your age, driving history, location, and even your job. Your occupation provides insurers with insights into your lifestyle, driving habits, and potential risk on the road.

Can you get car insurance with no income?

Unemployment itself does not have a direct impact on your car insurance premium. You can get insurance without a job, and losing your job does not typically result in a rate increase. Failure to pay your premium can result in loss of coverage, though.

Do poor people pay more for car insurance?

Drivers with poor credit (below 580) paid about 69% more for car insurance than those with exceptional credit scores (800 or above), according to an analysis by insurance comparison site The Zebra based on data from 2011 through 2021.

Higher car insurance premium for unemployed people

23 related questions found

Does income matter for car insurance?

While insurers don't look at your income directly when they're setting your car insurance rate, your socioeconomic status can play a role in what you pay for car insurance. For example, insurance companies usually consider your ZIP code in their rate calculations.

What makes car insurance higher?

Car insurance rates can change based on factors like claims, driving history, adding new drivers to your policy, and even your credit score. But they can also change based on a variety of reasons that are largely out of your control.

What if I am too poor for car insurance?

If you can't afford car insurance, don't go without. Instead, try to find a more affordable policy by increasing your deductible, downgrading your coverage, looking for discounts, driving less and comparing prices from multiple insurance companies.

Who typically has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

Can I get car insurance if I'm homeless?

If you're homeless or living in your vehicle, car insurance can be tough to get. From an insurance company's perspective, a client living in their vehicle poses considerable risk. If you're homeless and in need of car insurance, keep your vehicle at a friend's house and use that address for your quote.

Does occupation matter for car insurance?

When it comes to auto insurance, various factors influence the rates you pay, and one of those factors is your occupation. In California, where the cost of living can be high, finding ways to reduce everyday expenses is crucial.

Do insurance companies check your income?

The Health Insurance Marketplace® uses annual household income and other information to decide if you qualify for savings on health coverage through the Marketplace (like the premium tax credit) and other cost savings, like lower copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles (also called cost-sharing reductions).

Will my car insurance go up if I use it for work?

Insurers typically look at how much you use your car. Someone who has a long commute to work may pay more for insurance than someone who only uses their vehicle to run errands on weekends — since more miles behind the wheel mean more exposure to risk.

Does unemployment count as income for a car?

Lenders need to see that you have a consistent income to feel more secure that you'll make your payments, and make them on time. While unemployment benefits are a form of income, they typically expire after a certain period. As such, these benefits don't usually qualify as proof of consistent income.

Does unemployment affect anything?

Of course, actually being unemployed can ultimately impact your credit score. This happens if you are unable to pay your bills and missed payments are reported to the credit bureaus. Situations like this are why it's so incredibly important to have an emergency fund to protect you and cover your bills.

Does unemployment insurance go up with a claim?

Each awarded unemployment claim can affect three years of UI tax rates. Employers often don't realize the real cost of a claim since it's spread out over a long period. The average claim can increase an employer's state tax premium $4,000 to $7,000 over the course of three years.

At what age is car insurance cheapest?

Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.

Who is cheaper, Geico or Progressive?

GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.

How do I get lower car insurance?

Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs
  1. Shop around. ...
  2. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
  3. Ask for higher deductibles. ...
  4. Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
  5. Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
  6. Maintain a good credit record. ...
  7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts. ...
  8. Ask about group insurance.

At what point is car insurance not worth it?

If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.

How to get car insurance when no one will insure you?

If you're denied insurance, the first step is to call another insurer—different companies have different parameters. However, if several insurers have denied you, you may need to consider these options: Join a state assigned risk pool – Auto insurers participate on a voluntary basis in state assigned risk pools.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.

Why did my car insurance go up when nothing changed?

Claims in your area

If your area has a high rate of theft, accident, or weather-related claims, it becomes riskier for an insurance company to cover drivers there. That risk can lead to an auto insurance price increase, even if you have a perfect driving record.

What is a good 6 month premium car insurance?

The average 6-month car insurance premium is $947 per year, but some insurers offer lower rates; Nationwide offers 6-month car insurance at $774.