To be able to compare policies, one should have a basic understanding of the factors that determine US car insurance rates. There are three main factors that affect US car insurance rates - coverage, deductibles and miscellaneous.
For any insurance policy, coverage refers to the conditions or damages that are covered under the policy. The extent of coverage determines how much the policyholder has to pay as cover price. Coverage includes not just the minimum liability cover as stated under the law but also encompasses comprehensive, collision and uninsured motorist insurance. The make and model of the vehicle comes into play at this stage. A new car requires comprehensive coverage. Furthermore, if the car is financed through a loan, it is essential that one buys a comprehensive insurance policy. However, with older models, one can opt for minimum insurance coverage. High performance vehicles, such as racing or sports cars, are highly prone to accidents. Therefore, US car insurance rates will be higher for such vehicles.
Deductibles refer to the policyholder’s share of the claim. It is the amount that the policyholder has to pay before the insurance company begins to pay for the claim. It is to be noted that the higher the deductibles, the lower will be the premium. With higher deductibles, the individual shoulders greater risk, which is why the premiums drop.
Miscellaneous factors include age, gender, residence area, marital status, credit history and driving record of the policyholder, among other factors. If an individual has been booked for risky or drunken driving, s/he will need to pay higher premium rates.
An individual can compare US auto insurance rates based on the above mentioned factors. However, one should also give due consideration to exclusions under the policy for better comparison.