You and your next door neighbor may drive similar vehicles and have the exact same auto insurance coverage from the exact same provider, but your premiums may be drastically different. Why?

To determine your premium, your auto insurance company uses a complex algorithm that takes countless factors into consideration. Some of those factors are obviously related to driving, such as how many speeding tickets you’ve had and when you received your last one, the age and type of vehicle you drive, and how many insurance claims you’ve filed in the past.

Other factors seem completely unrelated to your driving habits, such as your age and gender, occupation and marital status. If you have a teen driver on your policy, they may even look at their grades in school.

All of these factors come together to paint a picture of who you are and how likely you are to file an insurance claim. In other words, if you are a 25-year-old unmarried male with a lead foot and an affinity for expensive cars, you’re going to pay more for insurance than your married counterpart who has a sparkling driving record and drives an old clunker. The more likely you are to file a claim and the more money that your insurance provider is likely to pay out on your behalf, the higher your premium will be.

You may notice that your premium can change from year to year. That’s because if even one factor that affects your rate changes, say, you got married, bought a house, or changed careers, your premium is re-calculated.

Factors that Affect Your Auto Insurance Premium

Your auto insurance premium is based on a wide array of personal factors. Here are 13 things that your auto insurance provider considers when calculating your premium.

1). Coverage

Obviously, the level of coverage you choose will have the most significant impact on how much your coverage costs. The more money an insurer could potentially pay out on your claim, the more money you’ll pay for your coverage.

2). Age

Generally speaking, older drivers are less likely to be in a collision and therefore enjoy more affordable premiums. Younger drivers, on the other hand, typically pay the most for coverage.

3). Gender

In Nevada, auto insurance companies can base their rates partly on a policyholder’s gender. Because men are statistically riskier drivers, they typically pay a higher auto insurance rate than women.

4). Marital Status

As a whole, married drivers are safer drivers and therefore pay less for auto insurance coverage than their unmarried counterparts.

5). Driving Record

Not only do drivers with clean driver’s histories qualify for better rates, but they are also often eligible for discounts for good driving, which can save a significant amount of money each month.

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6). Claims History

Because past behavior is indicative of future behavior, drivers who frequently file claims will pay more for their coverage.

7). Credit History

Studies have shown that drivers with credit scores under 600 are more likely to be involved in a collision. For this reason, insurers factor your credit score when determining your premium.

8). Geographical Location

Different geographic locations have different exposures to risk, resulting in varying auto insurance rates.

9). Years of Driving Experience

Inexperienced drivers pose a greater risk to the insurer and will automatically pay more for auto insurance coverage, regardless of their age.

10). Previous Insurance Coverage

Any lapse in coverage will result in a higher monthly premium, and don’t forget we have penalties here in Nevada from the DMV if there is any lapse in coverage. In Nevada it’s best to carry, at a minimum, liability coverage. If you don’t have at least liability coverage, when you do come back into the market to get a policy, you will pay higher rates; at least initially for the first 6 months or so. Drivers who have never had a lapse in their auto insurance coverage are statistically less likely to be involved in a collision. Keeping at least state minimum liability coverage will keep your rate down lower than if you decide to not carry any insurance at all.