Does car insurance increase depending on where you live?

Asked by: Dr. Laurianne Gislason MD  |  Last update: November 3, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (73 votes)

Location factors that affect car insurance rates
If people in your ZIP code file a lot of auto insurance claims, insurers may designate your neighborhood as high risk. To offset their own potential costs, car insurance companies will quote higher premiums in that ZIP code.

Does insurance go up based on where you live?

What may come as a surprise, though, is that where you live also has a significant effect on your insurance premium. The reason is simple: Your place of residence influences your likelihood of having an accident, as well as how much the mishap might cost. Higher claims translate into higher premiums.

Will my car insurance increase when I move?

Yes. Whether you are moving out of state or in state, your car insurance policy may see changes because the location of your vehicle is one of the most important factors for rates and coverage options. If you move out of state, different car insurance requirements may also impact your coverages and premiums.

Why does location affect car insurance?

Location, location, location – Due to higher rates of vandalism, theft and accidents, urban drivers pay a higher auto insurance price than those in small towns or rural areas. Where you park your car (on the street or in a secure garage) and anti-theft features may impact the bottom line as well.

What factors does car insurance depend on?

What factors are most important for car insurance rates?
  • Age. Age is a very significant rating factor, especially for young drivers. ...
  • Driving history. This rating factor is straightforward. ...
  • Credit score. ...
  • Years of driving experience. ...
  • Location. ...
  • Gender. ...
  • Insurance history. ...
  • Annual mileage.

How Much Does Your Car Insurance Increase When You Add A Teenager To Your Policy?

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How can you decrease your insurance rates?

Here are some ways to save on car insurance1
  • Increase your deductible.
  • Check for discounts you qualify for.
  • Compare auto insurance quotes.
  • Maintain a good driving record.
  • Participate in a safe driving program.
  • Take a defensive driving course.
  • Explore payment options.
  • Improve your credit score.

What makes car insurance more expensive?

Common causes of overly expensive insurance rates include your age, driving record, credit history, coverage options, what car you drive and where you live. Anything that insurers can link to an increased likelihood that you will be in an accident and file a claim will result in higher car insurance premiums.

Is my car insurance invalid if I move house?

Does that make it invalid? It could do, yes. That's why it's so important to contact your insurance provider if you move house. It's vital you make sure your car is insured, otherwise you're breaking the law.

Why does car insurance increase with change of address?

Moving to bigger and busier cities tends to make your auto insurance rates go up. There's more traffic and more chances for you to be in a car accident, so insurance providers offset some of that risk by increasing your insurance rate in high-traffic areas.

What happens if you don't update your address on car insurance?

Motorists should also keep insurers updated if they decide to move to a new address in the future. “Failing to notify your insurer of changes to circumstances, including address, could actually result in you being refused when claiming on your insurance.

Does insurance go up if you change address?

Moving to a new address

Your premium might go up or down when you move house, because your address is one of the big things that can affect the price of your car insurance. It might be tempting not to tell your insurer that you've moved, in case your price goes up.

Is car insurance cheaper in rural area?

If you move from a rural area to a city, the risk of damage or theft increases so your premium will go up. Cities have more traffic and crime so the chances of you making a claim due to an accident, theft, or damage are higher than in rural areas. Where you park your car overnight affects your rate.

What happens to your car insurance when you move?

Do you have to change car insurance when you move? Any time you move, you will have to update your car insurance policy. Even if you move within your current state or within your current ZIP code, you must contact your auto insurance provider and update your address.

What other factors influence your insurance rate?

Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose. These factors may include things such as your age, anti-theft features in your car and your driving record.

Why did my car insurance go up 2022?

Inflation. Perhaps the biggest driver of higher 2022 car insurance premiums is the same thing that is driving up costs across the board — inflation. Between May 2021 and May 2022, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 8.6%.

Is Progressive cheaper than Geico?

Progressive pricing. Both Geico and Progressive offer cheap car insurance to drivers across the country. Geico's rates are typically lower overall, but Progressive tends to offer better prices to those with a recent DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket on their driving record.

Does car insurance go down when you retire?

Drivers in their 50s and 60s already enjoy lower average auto insurance rates than any other age group. However, many retirees miss out on significant insurance discounts simply because they don't ask for them.

Why is my car insurance doubling?

If your car insurance has jumped up over the last year, this is usually to be because you represent a greater risk to the insurance company. This could be down to any number of factors including: Your age - younger, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be in an accident.

Does your driving licence address have to match your insurance address?

If your address is different on your driving licence and motor insurance policy it won't invalidate your cover but it's worth making sure all your records are as accurate as possible, as factors such as your postcode can impact your insurance premium, and can ultimately impact how much you pay.

Is it illegal to insure a car at a different address?

While it may be tempting to use someone else's address for car insurance to get better rates, you should not do this. If your car insurance address is different to your home address, that's fraud. Letting someone use your address for car insurance also falls into the fraud category.

Do I need to tell my insurance company if I move house?

Yes. As soon as you move house (or know your new address details and moving date) you should inform your insurance provider so they can update your details.

Why did my car insurance go up $100?

Claims in your area

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

What color cars are more expensive to insure?

Based on this, vehicles that are white or black are likely to cost more to insure, since they are more in demand colors. The color of your car can indirectly affect insurance rates in other ways too. Some vehicles are less likely to be stolen.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

A higher credit score decreases your car insurance rate, often significantly, with almost every company and in most states. Getting a quote, however, does not affect your credit. Your credit score is a key part of determining the rate you pay for car insurance.

How do I ask for a lower car insurance rate?

One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance costs down is to have a good driving record.
  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.