Are you getting ready to start your search for Wisconsin car insurance quotes, but not sure what a fair rate would be? If so, you are not alone. A Nerd Wallet survey found that 88 percent of drivers feel shopping for car insurance is a frustrating or complicated process. It pays, however, to push through. After all, rates can vary by an average of more than 150 percent between carriers for the same coverage. Continue reading to learn more about the components that make up your car insurance rates and how you can find competitive quotes.
Bringing Up the Past
If you have never been in a car accident or received a traffic citation, congratulations. Chances are your car insurance quotes will reflect your good habits. If you are like most drivers, however, chances are you have been involved in some type of negative traffic-related event. According to Forbes, the average driver will be involved in a collision once every 17.9 years.
Your claims history matters, too. According to an InsuranceQuotes.com survey, making just one claim for a $2,000 auto body repair bill could cause future car insurance rate quotes to jump by more than 40 percent. Keep in mind, also, that even if you have turned over a new leaf, both your driving record and your claims history will follow you from the past into the present. According to Bankrate, national claim databases can provide insurers with information about your claims history, which they may use when formulating your quotes.
Living in the Present
You purchase car insurance to cover you in the present. While insurers use events from the past to determine your risk of a future claim, there are also several factors they consider in the present. Where you live, for example, can significantly influence the amount you pay since natural disaster risks and neighborhood crime rates can increase the chances of filing a claim. According to Kiplinger, the average Wisconsin driver of a Honda Accord with a good driving history and good credit pays $1,147 in annual premiums. However, average Wisconsin premiums can vary 5-10 percent or more when examined by zip code rather than state.
Examples of other present details that could affect your car insurance quotes include:
- Your age, gender, education and marital status
- Your credit score
- How often you drive your car
- Where you store your car at night (garage, driveway, street, etc.)
Thinking About the Future
Insurance companies also think about the future when determining the cost of an insurance policy. Carriers will make assumptions about your likelihood to file a claim and how much it will cost them. If you are requesting a quote to insure an expensive, high-powered luxury vehicle, the insurer will factor the cost of repairs or replacement into your coverage.
Sorting Your Car Insurance Options
When you are ready to begin your search for coverage, save time and consolidate your search with an independent agency like Couri Insurance Agency here in Waukesha. By working with an independent agent, you can obtain Wisconsin car insurance quotes from several of the state’s leading carriers to find a competitive rate for the coverage you need. For more information or to request your free car insurance quotes, contact our office. We look forward to serving you soon.
