What is a Car Insurance Premium?

What's a premium in car insurance?

A premium is the payment you make to your car insurance provider in exchange for coverage. Most insurance companies divide premiums into monthly installments or allow clients to pay the entire balance up front. Let’s explore what determines insurance premiums and assess a few ways to save.

1. What are the different kinds of insurance premiums?
2. What determines car insurance premiums? 
3. How to save on car insurance

What are the different kinds of car insurance premiums?

Premiums can be priced in monthly, six-month, or annual windows, depending on your insurance company and your personal choice. The typical length of a car insurance policy in the US is six months. Many insurance companies allow clients to pay off premiums monthly or at once. 

If you pay your premium in monthly installments, a small processing fee may be added each month. This may be assessed if you pay with a debit or credit card, rather than directly from a bank account. 

Paying your premium in full up front may lead to a discount in addition to the lack of processing fees. While the discount may vary by your state and company, you can usually save around 5% on your car insurance premium by paying in full. 

How are car insurance premiums calculated?

Who you are, what car you drive, where you live, how much coverage you want, and which car insurance company you choose are the primary determining factors of the cost of your auto insurance premium. Below we briefly outline the impact of each. Check out our in-depth look at what goes into auto insurance rates. 

Who you are

Your age, driving record, credit score, and other personal variables are major rating factors used to determine your premium. A family of four with a 16-year-old male driver will face substantially more expensive premiums than will a 35-year-old single female driver, because of the risk presented by additional, less-experienced drivers. If you’re considered a risky driver, i.e., more likely to file a claim, due to your age, driving record, or credit history, you will be charged a higher premium as a result.

The car you drive

A brand new convertible comes with higher premiums than does a pre-owned Honda Accord. In the event of a claim, collision or comprehensive coverage is responsible for repairing your vehicle. If your vehicle costs more to begin with, your premium will be higher as a result. Below are average six-month premiums by vehicle type. 

AVERAGE CAR INSURANCE RATES BY VEHICLE TYPE

Where you live

Car insurance is regulated at the state level and priced by the zip code. This means your state’s legislation and your area's claims history have major impacts on your premium. Michigan, for example, requires an extremely high threshold of no-fault insurance coverage. As such, the state's drivers’ endure the highest car insurance premiums in the nation. 

More expensive premiums are also a fact of life in urban areas with greater vehicular density. The more likely you are to get into a collision, the higher your premium will be. 

How much coverage you have

High liability limits and high levels of collision and comprehensive coverage will lead to more expensive rates. Carrying only state minimum coverage instead of high liability and physical coverage with low deductibles can save you an average of nearly $500 per six-month policy.

Your car insurance company

Another major contributing factor to auto insurance premiums is the pricing policy of the insurance company itself. You might be paying too much for car insurance simply because you’re with the wrong company. A great way to find a low premium for your vehicle is to compare a number of different companies. 

Additional ways to lower your premium

If you’re worried your car insurance premium is too high, consider some of our suggestions below. 

Bundle when possible

There are many times it can make sense to bundle your insurance policies with one company. You can earn a multi-policy discount and limit the number of insurance companies with which you deal. Below are some bundling options:

• Renters insurance + auto
• Homeowners insurance + auto
• Life insurance + auto
• Motorcycle insurance + auto

Be smart with your insurance claims

Anytime you file a claim, you should expect your premium to increase for the next three to five years as a consequence. While rate hikes may vary by claim type, most collision claims will increase your premium $308 per six-month policy. Over three years, this equates to $1,854. If you have a $500 deductible, your total charge for this claim would be $2,354.

Before you file a claim, following our guide below:

• Get an estimate for the damage at a local mechanic 
• Use our State of Insurance analysis to determine by how much an accident would increase your rates. Consider this figure over three years.
• Compare the rate increase plus your deductible to the out of pocket expense. If it is cheaper to file a claim, do that.

Evaluate your coverage

Your coverage level can have a major impact on your premium. If your vehicle is more than 10 years old or worth less than $4,000, you could consider dropping collision coverage. You could end up paying more in premium for this coverage than you would get in return after a claim. 

If you do remove collision coverage, consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist physical damage coverage (UNMPD). This protects your vehicle in hit-and-run situations.

Shop around for car insurance quotes

Your rate can change every time you have a birthday, move, pay off a loan, or switch vehicles. Compare auto insurance quotes every six months to find a policy that suits your needs. Comparing auto insurance options won’t impact your credit score or raise your current rate. 

Additional resources

• How Much Liability Insurance Do You Need?
• What is Bodily Injury Coverage?
• Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage