Shopping around and comparing estimates and quotes from different insurance providers is a crucial part of finding affordable auto insurance in Indianapolis. What your friend and families pay for car insurance might not necessarily be the same as what you pay, and this depends on several factors, including your age, driving history, and location. To help make it easier for you to compare and shop for auto insurance in Indianapolis, we have listed a couple of crucial factors that determine how much drivers pay for their auto insurance and sourced the cheapest and best value insurance deals from different insurance providers throughout the city.
Have you ever spent hours scouring the web, looking for the very best deal on cheap car insurance agents in Indianapolis ? Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, you’ve found an amazing and affordable deal and send in your details, patting yourself on the back for a job well done — only for the insurance company to come back to you with a much higher price than you were initially quoted. This is something we’ve all experienced or at least heard of, so, what went wrong? Insurance quotes vary from person to person and one of the factors that insurance companies use to determine what price to quote you is your driver’s record. While insurance companies treat driver’s records differently, the bottom line is that if your driver’s record shows infractions or convictions that weren’t reported when you initially submitted your information for the quote, then you’ll more than likely be hit with a much higher figure when the insurance provider issues their final quote.
The type, make, model, age, and engine size of your vehicle all play a part in how much you’ll be paying for your car insurance in Indianapolis. Insurance providers typically perceive drivers of faster vehicles with larger engines as more likely to speed and get into an accident. In the same way, while they may keep drivers safer, SUVs and larger vehicles tend to cause more damage to other vehicles or property in an accident. So, from an insurance company’s point of view, insuring fast or large and heavy vehicles could prove to be more costly, thus premiums for these types of vehicles are generally higher. However, the main factor that influences car insurance premiums is undoubtedly the vehicle’s purchase price, since the more expensive a vehicle is to purchase, the more expensive it will be to repair after an accident. All things considered, if you’re not concerned about the type of vehicle you drive and are only interested in saving more on your auto insurance, your best bet would be a mid-sized sedan, mid-sized SUV, or minivan.
In many states, insurance companies no longer consider a driver’s gender when calculating auto insurance rates, yet your marital status can still affect how much you pay for car insurance in Indianapolis. In general, married couples are more likely to benefit from a cheaper rate on their auto insurance than unmarried individuals, since, statistically, never-married individuals have a higher chance of getting involved in a traffic accident than married couples. In the same way, elderly widows and divorcees are also more likely to be quoted higher rates on their auto insurance in Indianapolis. Nevertheless, single people living with domestic partners might still be able to benefit from discounted insurance rates, though such discounts seem to be less common and are at the discretion of the individual insurance company. The main reason for the different rates ultimately depends on the specific insurance provider, though some sources claim that it’s because married individuals usually drive less and lead more stable and less risky lifestyles compared to their single counterparts, thus reducing their risk of getting into an accident. Whatever the reason, the reality remains that you’re more likely to be quoted a cheaper rate on your auto insurance if you’re married or planning on getting married soon.
It might come as a surprise to learn that your zip code could save or cost you thousands of dollars annually on auto insurance in Indianapolis. This has less to do with the factors we mentioned earlier, such as vehicle make and model, and more to do with crime rates and perceived risks in particular areas. Insurance premiums in zip codes for places that experience higher crime and theft rates tend to be higher than in other parts of the city, as insurance providers generally group specific zip codes into different risk classes. Moreover, drivers living in more densely populated areas, such as the inner city, usually pay higher insurance premiums than those living in the suburbs simply because the more cars there are around, the higher the chances of getting into an accident. Other zip code-related factors that insurance companies use to price your insurance rates include the overall state of the roads in your particular zip code — meaning that living somewhere with poorly developed or maintained roads could potentially raise your premiums.
In addition to your driver’s record, type of vehicle you drive, and the zip code you live in, your credit rating can also affect what you pay for auto insurance. Studies have shown that using a credit-based approach helps insurance companies more accurately predict how likely a particular client is to become a liability to them, and many providers adopt this same approach when determining insurance premiums; this makes it easier to calculate the fairest and most suitable rates for each client. In fact, approximately 92% of car insurance companies consider your credit score when calculating how much to charge you for auto insurance. So, in the long run, your credit score can and does affect how much you pay for auto insurance in Indianapolis. All things considered, while maintaining a good credit score is always a good idea, it’s especially important if you’re looking to save big on your car insurance.
Rates for auto insurance can vary widely based on the insured driver’s age. This is because insurance companies see drivers in certain age groups as a bigger risk to cover than others due to a higher likelihood of them getting into an accident and filing expensive claims. Young drivers, in particular, tend to be involved in more accidents and are more likely to drive more recklessly than older drivers. Consequently, it’s more expensive to insure them. Auto insurance prices in Indianapolis typically begin to drop as drivers reach their mid-late twenties and gain more experience behind the wheel, thus getting into fewer accidents compared to drivers in their teens and early twenties. This trend continues until motorists reach their seventies, where auto insurance premiums begin to rise again in parallel to their likelihood of getting into an accident. Regardless of your age or location, however, you’ll generally notice that younger drivers across the nation pay the most on their auto insurance policies.
Comparison shopping for car insurance may sometimes feel like a never-ending uphill struggle, but it’s important to remember that it’s nothing compared to the financial loss from an unexpected traffic accident, vehicle theft, or natural disaster. Nobody wants to invest more than they need to for car insurance but finding the best and most affordable rate isn’t always easy. The only way to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible is by comparison shopping and comparing quotes from different insurance providers. Moreover, it’s worth considering the various discounts offered by insurance companies, which may translate to lower insurance rates if you meet the specific requirements or are even willing to bundle your home and auto insurance. Take the opportunity to educate yourself on car insurance in Indianapolis and analyze and compare the rates and coverage offered by different providers before deciding on which plan is right for you. And if you ever need any help finding the best car insurance in Indianapolis, we’re here for you.
Jim Lewis is worked as a Cadillac sales for several dealerships over many years. He is currently managing car dealerships, luxury cars and auto dealers Huntsville AL. He enjoys writing about brand’s vehicles and upcoming projects.