“High Risk” Drivers
Insurance companies will label you as “high risk” if they determine you are more likely to file a claim than another driver. How do they decide what your risk level is?
- Your location. If there’s a lot of accidents, crime, and bad weather in your part of town, your “risk” level will go up.
- DUI/DWI. You are definitely a high-risk driver in this case. The DUI will stay on your record for ten years, making you ineligible for a safe-driving discount, which puts you at a higher premium for a decade.
- Your vehicle. If you have a mini van designed for driving children around, your insurance will likely be cheaper than if you’ve got a sports car.
- New to driving. It’s hard to learn without experience. The longer you’ve been driving, the better you are at it, the less risk you have while driving. The younger, the riskier. Three years or more of driving experience makes your eligible for a lower rate.
- Depending on your state, your credit plays a role in the price of your car insurance. Carriers rate based on your responsibility to make payments on time.
- Your driving record. Obviously, if you have any claims or tickets on your record, they’ll charge you more to insure your car. This is to make sure both you and the company are covered if you do have a claim.
- Your mileage. If your work is not too far from home, you’ll be paying less in both insurance and gas.
Depending on how risky things look on your record, the insurance companies can even deny coverage. These are some of the many factors that are considered when carriers rate your premium.
By: KayLynn
Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder
Search All Blogs
Read More Blogs
Beyond the Box of Chocolates: The Strange and Surprising History of Valentine’s Day
From Roman rituals to Victorian cards: Discover the bizarre and bloody history of how Valentine’s Day became the holiday we know today.
The Big Game Gamble: Managing Business Liability and Hosting Risks for Super Bowl LX
Is your business ready for the Big Game? Key tips on managing liquor liability, event safety, and employee productivity during Super Bowl weekend.
A Gift Beyond Roses: Why Life Insurance is the Ultimate Expression of Valentine’s Day Love
Roses fade, but financial security lasts. Discover why life insurance is the most selfless Valentine’s Day gift you can give your family this year.
The February Pothole Patrol: Navigating Winter Road Damage and Your Auto Policy
Potholes are a February tradition. Learn how your auto insurance handles wheel and suspension damage and how to file a claim for road-related hazards.
Heart-Shaped Security: Why Valentine’s Day is the Time to Schedule Your New Jewelry
Don’t leave your new sparkle at risk. Learn how to properly insure Valentine’s Day jewelry through scheduling and professional appraisals.
The Beautiful Pause: Embracing Solitude and Self-Care
Ditch the noise. A guide to finding mental clarity and practicing self-care by embracing intentional solitude during the final, quiet days of January.
Final Tax Data Security: Protecting Against Employee W-2 Identity Theft
W-2s are out. A final, urgent guide to securing employee data against tax fraud and using Cyber Insurance for breach response and identity theft coverage.
T-Minus 30 Days: The Late January Review of Beneficiaries and Tax Implications
Tax forms are here. Review your life insurance beneficiaries one last time, and understand the tax status of policy payouts vs. accrued interest.
Extreme Cold Alert: Protecting Your Vehicle from Late January Freeze Damage
Frozen engine block? Late January extreme cold risks and how your Comprehensive Auto Insurance handles non-collision, cold-related vehicle damage.
The Final Frost: Securing Your Home from Ice and Tree Damage
Extreme cold risk is highest now. A guide to Home Insurance for tree fall damage, ice structure risks, and securing your claim against catastrophic late-January weather.