Age, driving experience, credit history, and vehicle type are some of the other factors that influence the rate someone pays for their car insurance.
What factors affect car insurance rates?
A rating factor is a customer characteristic insurers use to determine car insurance premiums. The most important factors include:
- Age
- Location
- Driving history
- Credit score
Simply put, the lower your risk, the cheaper your car insurance will be. Some factors—like your driving record and vehicle type—significantly impact costs, while others—such as gender or marital status—play a smaller role.
Below are the nine most common rating factors used by car insurance companies.
Rating factors based on the driver
Insurance companies assess personal details about a driver to gauge the level of risk they pose. These car insurance rating factors can change over time, but some—like age and driving history—carry more weight than others.
1. Age
Age is one of the biggest factors affecting car insurance rates, especially for young drivers. The difference in cost between the most expensive premiums—paid by teen drivers—and the lowest rates, typically for drivers in their 50s, can exceed $5,500 per year.
Insurance companies classify teen drivers as high-risk due to data showing they engage in riskier driving behaviors and have higher accident rates than any other age group. As drivers gain more experience, their premiums gradually decrease, with the most affordable rates typically seen in mid-50s drivers before rising again for seniors.
| Age Group | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 20s | $190 | $2,284 |
| 30s | $145 | $1,744 |
| 40s | $139 | $1,667 |
| 50s | $130 | $1,555 |
| 60s | $131 | $1,571 |
| 70s | $151 | $1,807 |
| Teens | $420 | $5,039 |
2. Driving and claims history
This is one of the most important factors that affect car insurance rates. Insurance companies use a driver’s past as a predictor of future risk, meaning tickets, violations, and past claims can significantly increase premiums.
A history of speeding tickets, DUIs, or reckless driving will likely lead to higher insurance costs. For example, a speeding ticket (16–20 mph over the limit), a DUI, or a reckless driving charge can all cause substantial premium increases, as shown in the table below.
Insurance providers also view frequent claims as a red flag. Your claims history includes both claims you file and claims filed against you. If your insurer pays out a claim, you should expect your car insurance rates to go up—sometimes for several years.
Below, you’ll find estimated rate increases based on different types of violations and claims.
3. Credit score
Credit is a major — but often overlooked — rating factor. Data shows drivers with poor credit file more claims than do drivers with better credit. And when they do file claims, they are generally more expensive than claims from drivers with good credit. The difference in car insurance rates between drivers with the lowest level of credit and the highest is over $1,500 annually. This comes out to a $784 increase for a six-month policy or $130 a month.
Good news for drivers in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and (to some degree) Michigan: these states have outlawed —or severely restricted — the use of credit score as a rating factor in auto insurance policies.
| Credit Tier | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | $262 | $3,147 |
| Fair | $173 | $2,071 |
| Average | $159 | $1,913 |
| Good | $147 | $1,760 |
| Very Good | $136 | $1,627 |
| Excellent | $125 | $1,506 |
4. Location
State laws play a major role in car insurance pricing. For example, Michigan no-fault state system requires unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, making it one of the most expensive states for car insurance, with average rates exceeding $2,000 per year—far higher than nearby Ohio.
Insurance companies also price policies based on ZIP codes to account for local risks. Areas with higher traffic density, severe weather events, or crime rates often see higher premiums, while rural areas tend to have lower insurance costs due to fewer accidents and claims.
5. Other personal demographics
Insurance companies also may take gender, marital status, and occupation into account when rating policies, but these factors are weighed less heavily than the factors outlined above. Still, it’s worth looking at how average premiums compare with these factors in mind.
- Gender
Gender primarily impacts rates for young drivers. On average, a male teen driver pays $754 more per year in auto insurance premiums than a female teen driver. Again, this is because car insurance companies see young male drivers as more likely to take risks than their female counterparts.
- Marital status
Marital status has a minor effect on auto insurance rates. Historical data show married drivers share driving duties, filing fewer individual claims. The difference between car insurance rates for married, divorced, single, and widowed drivers is minimal.
- Occupation
Your profession typically has very little effect on your car insurance rates, but some companies associate certain occupations with less risky driving. Additionally, some professional organizations partner with insurance companies to secure more favorable rates.
Rating factors based on the vehicle
Unlike personal rating factors, vehicle-based factors are easier to change if rates are too high. Driving a sensible car, adjusting coverages and deductibles and paying off your vehicle can all help lower auto insurance premiums.
6. Coverage levels and deductibles
The more coverage you carry, the more expensive your premiums will be. The cost difference between the lowest levels of car insurance coverage and the highest can add up to more than $1,000 annually. The reason for this is simple: if you carry more coverage, your insurance company is obligated to pay out to meet a higher coverage limit.
| Coverage | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Liability only | $50 | $298 |
| Full coverage w/$1,000 deductible | $129 | $777 |
| Full coverage w/$500 deductible | $147 | $880 |
7. Vehicle type
The car you drive directly affects your insurance costs. Luxury cars and sports cars typically have higher premiums due to expensive repairs and higher replacement costs, while affordable, safe vehicles.
Insurers also consider theft risk, safety features, and repair costs—vehicles with strong safety ratings may qualify for discounts, while those prone to theft or costly repairs often come with higher rates. Additionally, cars that can cause more damage in an accident may lead to higher liability insurance costs. Choosing a safe, reliable, and easy-to-repair car can help keep your insurance rates down.
8. Annual mileage
Annual mileage has a major bearing on insurance premiums. The national difference in annual premium for drivers who travel fewer than 7,500 miles per year versus those who drive 15,000-plus miles annually is $92. According to our data, 34% customers drive less than 7,500 per year.
| Annual Mileage | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 0-7500 | $142 | $855 |
| 7501-10000 | $147 | $880 |
| 10001-15000 | $150 | $898 |
| 15001+ | $152 | $913 |
9. Ownership status
Car insurance companies categorize car ownership in three ways: owned, leased, and financed. Premiums vary by ownership status.
How to save on car insurance
While you can’t always change the details about you that insurance companies use to rate policies, you can practice smart habits when it comes to understanding your insurance policy and how to lower your premiums.
Compare quotes at several insurance companiesThe biggest factor in determining auto insurance costs is the insurance company you decide to go with. Rates vary substantially from company to company and while there are other factors that comprise your driving profile, you could be paying too much for car insurance simply because your current company is too expensive.
Be smart with your claimsUnless you have accident forgiveness, every car insurance company will raise your rates after you file a claim. Most insurance companies will keep up-charging your premium for three years following an accident. This will cause the overall rate increase for one at-fault accident to equal well over your original premium. If you can afford to pay out-of-pocket for repairs (and the amount paid is about equal or lesser than your deductible), it may be worth it to explore that option instead of filing.
Carry the correct coverage and avoid lapsesVehicles depreciate rapidly, so if you own a vehicle worth less than $4,000, you might not need collision and comprehensive coverage — which can save you a lot of money! These coverage options are designed to protect your vehicle from property damage. However, if your vehicle isn’t worth much, you might be paying for coverage you do not need.
The key point here, though, is to have consistent coverage. If you’re going to sell your vehicle, you should consider buying a non-owners policy. A non-owner car insurance policy only provides liability coverage for drivers who do not own a car but want to maintain their insurance coverage. This will not only keep you continuously insured but offer you additional liability insurance when you’re driving.
Check for available discountsDiscounts can help lower rates, but usually not drastically. Still, checking out discounts you may qualify for is always worthwhile. The most common discount available is a multi-policy discount. You earn this when you bundle two or more policies with the same insurance provider. Other common discounts include:
- Good driver discount
- Paperless discount
- Payment by bank account
- Paid in full discount
- Multi-car discount
- Good student discount (under 25)
- Telematics discount