Car Insurance Premiums, How Can You Reduce the Costs?

Did you know insurance branches house an entire department with the strict and only purpose of analyzing and calculating insurance premiums? It’s quite amazing, but when you think deeper about it, it really makes sense. Developing and building an affordable premium for the client is a serious issue.

For instance, car insurance is one of the plainer and simple types of insurance you can calculate. It comes down to two major factors. First off, what is your driving experience and secondly, what is your driving history like? If both these questions come back solid, you are in for a cheap premium. Driving experience can only grow with age, so if you are just starting out, unfortunately you have no option but a high premium.

The history is also factored into the equation. Accidents are generally not treated kindly in the insurance industry, especially if it was your fault. One small mistake in a vehicle and you may face years of inflated insurance premiums. It may not be fair in your opinion, but the car insurance company views accidents and those involved in them as “high risk.”

When you first earn you driver’s license the insurance agency hands out so many points. Generally this number is small because you are very inexperienced and unproven as a driver. As time progresses you earn more points. Points are taken away for speeding or driving offenses.

As you are well aware of, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are not only detrimental to your own well being, but also a danger to the road. Insurance providers do not take kindly to drivers arrested for drunk driving. You’re license is usually removed for quite some time, and you pay for it for years down the line with a high premium.

Most drivers understand the rules and laws of the road and they do their best to respect them. Car insurance rewards people that do their best to not speed or get in an accident. In fact, every year a driver goes without an accident or major traffic violation, the insurance company awards the driver with a discount on his or her premium for the following year.

Unfortunately, if you are in an accident, and especially if you’re the one at fault ? you car insurance is going to go up. It’s just the way of the game. That is why some people wish not to mention the accident to the insurance provider. The downside is the driver pays for the repair damages, but the positive of the situation is the driver’s car insurance does not revoke its “no claims” bonus at the end of the year.

Who wouldn’t want to save money? You can help save a few dollars by keeping a clean record and staying out of accidents. Do this, and your premium will slowly drop throughout the years.

Graham McKenzie is the content Syndication Manager at Insurance123.co.za South Africans leading car insurance information portal