Methods Of Calculating Insurance Risk

Finding the best car insurance can be hard. Every company offers different rates and coverages based on what they calculate to be the risk. Many different factors are involved in calculating the risk which will eventually decide the cost of insurance. However, there are a number of easy to identify factors which contribute directly to the end price of insurance.

Your driving record is crucial for the insurance company to get an idea of what kind of driver they can expect you to be. Drivers with few or no accidents will get a better rate, while drives with more will see high rates. Moving violations like speeding tickets will also play a similar role in calculating the risk. Insurance companies also consider your age and experience as a driver. New drivers with a shorter history are see as a higher risk because they have no proven history that can be use for assessing risk. On the other hand, a mature driver with a strong and safe driving record is considered to be of low risk because they have proven themselves a good driver.

Another factor insurance companies look at is credit rating. They believe customers with a high, solid credit history will be more likely to make their payments and renew their policy. If you own a home or other asset, your credit rating will tend to be higher; therefore, a high credit rating is a great benefit when seeking car insurance.

Previous insurance history can also reflect risk. Looking at past insurance history also given an idea of what kind of drive you have been, whether you where able to hold long term insurance with few claims and without brakes in coverage, or you switched insurance often, implying difficulties with payments or claims. With bad or no previous insurance history it can be hard to find coverage.

An additional factor in determining insurance rates is the condition of the vehicle you are currently driving. More expensive cars or trucks require a more expensive insurance policy because it will cost more to replace or repair them if you file a claim. A flashy vehicle, such as a new sports car, will also have a greater chance of being stolen or vandalized. Having an older, nondescript vehicle is an asset when shopping for insurance.

Although these are the major factors in calculating the cost of insurance, a number of smaller factors can play a part in changing the cost of insurance. For example having an anti-thief device reduces the risk of the car being stolen, having high grades if you are in school can often reduce the calculated risk, while an expensive stereo or other flashy features may raise the cost. However, the final cost of insurance and what deals are offered depend on the insurance company. By looking around and talking to different insurance company, car dealerships and looking online you can protect your self from high insurance costs.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading Car Insurance portal, which provides cover for all Car Insurance types.