When people try to determine how to keep their car insurance premiums as low as possible, they are usually advised to maintain a safe driving record, buy a safer car when they have the chance and consider bundling multiple policies with one insurer. However, drivers don't have total control over their own rates. In some cities, auto insurance just costs more. Factors like local traffic laws, frequently congested streets, poor weather conditions and even high theft rates can contribute to higher rates for average drivers.
If you can't understand why your own premiums are higher than your cousin's in a little city, it might be helpful to consider this study from PropertyCasualty360. The study analyzed average rates for the same 26-year-old male owner of a three-year-old Toyota Camry. This is a sampling of some of the most expensive cities for that example car owner’s auto insurance.
1. Philadelphia
In this Pennsylvania city, the average yearly premium for the example driver was $2,930.53. The city has suffered from frequent traffic congestion and several months of winter weather each year. No-fault traffic laws also tend to drive premiums up.
2. Miami
This is another city with frequent congestion and no-fault insurance regulations. While Miami doesn't suffer from winter weather, it does get hit by hurricanes and tropical storms. The driver in the study might expect to pay an average of $3,168.75 for annual car insurance premiums.
3. Louisville
This Kentucky city also has no-fault insurance. In addition, the city suffers from a high rate of vehicle thefts, potentially helping to drive rates for this example vehicle owner up to an average of $3,255.99.
4. Jersey City
In Jersey City, New Jersey, drivers face severe winters and fairly long commutes. No-fault insurance comes in again as a factor that might cause the sample driver's average rates to total around $3,266.63 per year.
5. Detroit
Motor City has some of the highest average premiums in the country, but they aren't uniformly high everywhere. No-fault insurance, a high crime rate and winter weather might all contribute to average rates of $10,723.22 a year for the example driver. However, some parts of the city have much more modest premiums.
Of course, it helps to live where average premiums are modest. However, any driver can try to take control over their own rates by exercising common sense and comparison shopping for lower premiums with the assistance of an independent insurance agent.
Get a quote today. Call Concise Insurance Services at (408) 567-1111 for more information on Santa Clara auto insurance.
Even with pricier locales, many auto insurance providers offer an assortment of discount options. Have you been able to save? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.