Factors influencing car insurance rates IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR INSURANCE FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK, OR RV, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT FACTORS SUCH AS COVERAGE OPTIONS, DEDUCTIBLES, AND DIS- COUNTS AFFECT YOUR POLICY COST. Why safer cars aren't always less expensive to insure You'd think that safer cars would mean lower car insurance costs, but as reported by NPR advanced safety features that reduce crash risk can actually drive premiums up. Safety features like autonomous braking and lane departure warning in newer cars can reduce the number and severity of injuries, but they also make vehicles more expensive to repair when accidents happen. External mirrors, fenders and bumpers house sensors that help to avoid crashes and may carry higher repair costs than their conventional counterparts. How you drive Driving history There are plenty of reasons to drive safely, but saving money is an especially good one. If you've had speeding tickets or accidents within the past few years, your auto insurance rate will be higher than if you had a spotless driving record. Safe driving can pay off. Driving activity A policyholder who drives only a few miles a week will likely pay less for auto insurance than one who drives longer distances. Your vehicle Safety rating Some vehicles are safer and cost less to repair than others. Insurance companies collect data about each make and model and use it to determine how much to charge its customers. Anti-theft devices If your car has an alarm, a tracking device to help police recover it, or another theft deterrent, it's less attractive to thieves, and less expensive to insure, too. Vehicle size In an accident, larger vehicles tend to fare better- and keep occupants safer-than smaller ones. Who you are Where you live If you live in an area with above average traffic, your auto insurance rate could be higher than if you lived in an area with less traffic congestion. Age, gender and marital status Drivers between the ages of 25 and 65 tend to have fewer accidents than those who are younger or older. In addition, studies show that certain individuals have fewer accidents. Credit history Studies show a connection between credit characteristics and insurance claims, so many insurance companies use "Credit-Based Insurance Scores" to help determine rates (not applicable where prohibited by law). Your policy choices Coverage options Some insurance is required by law in most states. The rest is up to you. Your insurance choices and coverage amounts have a major impact on how much you'll pay. That's not all. Your annual mileage, changes in your driving record, marital status, your age, and/or moving to a different neighborhood can cause you to pay more for car insurance. Deductibles State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance company covers you. You can lower your auto insurance rates by setting a higher deductible, but you'll pay more out-of- pocket when you make a claim. Discounts and other potential savings Check with a State Farm® agent to find out if you're eligible for one of the many discounts or other potential savings State Farm offers to help you save money on auto insurance. Jennifer Johnsen Nazareth, Agent 1810 Mt. Nebo Rd Sewickley, PA 15143 Bus: 412-741-1600 www.seejennifer.com State Farm Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Because insurance protection is a contract any coverage descriptions in this article are general only and are not statements of contract. All coverage are subject to all policy provisions, including applicable endorsements. State Farm (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and not responsible for and does not endorse or approve, either implictly or exploty, the content of any third party sites hyperlinked from this page State Farm has no discretion to after update or control the content on the hyperlinked third party site Access to third party sites is at the user's own risk, is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products which may be referenced on such third party Factors influencing car insurance rates IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR INSURANCE FOR YOUR CAR , TRUCK , OR RV , IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT FACTORS SUCH AS COVERAGE OPTIONS , DEDUCTIBLES , AND DIS COUNTS AFFECT YOUR POLICY COST . Why safer cars aren't always less expensive to insure You'd think that safer cars would mean lower car insurance costs , but as reported by NPR advanced safety features that reduce crash risk can actually drive premiums up . Safety features like autonomous braking and lane departure warning in newer cars can reduce the number and severity of injuries , but they also make vehicles more expensive to repair when accidents happen . External mirrors , fenders and bumpers house sensors that help to avoid crashes and may carry higher repair costs than their conventional counterparts . How you drive Driving history There are plenty of reasons to drive safely , but saving money is an especially good one . If you've had speeding tickets or accidents within the past few years , your auto insurance rate will be higher than if you had a spotless driving record . Safe driving can pay off . Driving activity A policyholder who drives only a few miles a week will likely pay less for auto insurance than one who drives longer distances . Your vehicle Safety rating Some vehicles are safer and cost less to repair than others . Insurance companies collect data about each make and model and use it to determine how much to charge its customers . Anti - theft devices If your car has an alarm , a tracking device to help police recover it , or another theft deterrent , it's less attractive to thieves , and less expensive to insure , too . Vehicle size In an accident , larger vehicles tend to fare better- and keep occupants safer - than smaller ones . Who you are Where you live If you live in an area with above average traffic , your auto insurance rate could be higher than if you lived in an area with less traffic congestion . Age , gender and marital status Drivers between the ages of 25 and 65 tend to have fewer accidents than those who are younger or older . In addition , studies show that certain individuals have fewer accidents . Credit history Studies show a connection between credit characteristics and insurance claims , so many insurance companies use " Credit - Based Insurance Scores " to help determine rates ( not applicable where prohibited by law ) . Your policy choices Coverage options Some insurance is required by law in most states . The rest is up to you . Your insurance choices and coverage amounts have a major impact on how much you'll pay . That's not all . Your annual mileage , changes in your driving record , marital status , your age , and / or moving to a different neighborhood can cause you to pay more for car insurance . Deductibles State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance company covers you . You can lower your auto insurance rates by setting a higher deductible , but you'll pay more out - of pocket when you make a claim . Discounts and other potential savings Check with a State Farm® agent to find out if you're eligible for one of the many discounts or other potential savings State Farm offers to help you save money on auto insurance . Jennifer Johnsen Nazareth , Agent 1810 Mt. Nebo Rd Sewickley , PA 15143 Bus : 412-741-1600 www.seejennifer.com State Farm Home Office , Bloomington , Illinois 61710 Because insurance protection is a contract any coverage descriptions in this article are general only and are not statements of contract . All coverage are subject to all policy provisions , including applicable endorsements . State Farm ( including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and not responsible for and does not endorse or approve , either implictly or exploty , the content of any third party sites hyperlinked from this page State Farm has no discretion to after update or control the content on the hyperlinked third party site Access to third party sites is at the user's own risk , is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products which may be referenced on such third party