How Your Zip Code Can Change Your Auto Insurance Rate

Your auto insurance premium is calculated based on a myriad of factors. Some of these factors are within your control, such as how many claims you’ve filed, whether you’ve had any lapses in auto insurance coverage and how clean your driving record is, and many use a “soft hit” to determine your credit history. Other factors are outside of your control and are seemingly unrelated to your driving, including your gender, age and whether you own or rent your home.

Why Would Your Zip Code Affect Your Premium?

In addition to personal factors, there’s another big variable that plays into your auto insurance premium: your zip code.

When determining your rate, your auto insurance company looks at the claims history within your region. Some geographic regions have a higher volume of claims than others, even within the same city. For that reason, drivers within different areas of a state, city, or zip code, can pay different premiums. Someone living in Northern Nevada may pay very different rates than someone living in Southern Nevada, with the exact same coverage. This may seem terribly unfair, but it’s based on claims history and many other factors.​

Regional Factors That Increase Auto Insurance Rates

When it comes to how your demographics affect what you pay for auto insurance coverage, ultimately, it comes down to what types of losses and how many losses your auto insurance company has paid out in your region. Some common regional rating factors for auto insurance include:

• Natural disasters
• Vandalism claims
• Fraudulent injuries claims
• Number of vehicles stolen
• Number of property theft claims

It’s important to note that living in an area with low crime doesn’t automatically equal low rates and living in an area with more crime doesn’t necessarily equal higher rates. For example, if you live in a region that is associated with high crime, but most of the region’s residents use public transportation rather than a private vehicle, auto insurance rates might be more affordable. On the other hand, if you live in a region with a lower crime rate but drivers are statistically more likely to file a claim, you may expect higher rates.

How Your Auto Insurer Rates Your Neighborhood

Even within the same zip code, different neighborhoods may have different risk factors. If you live in a neighborhood that only has street or parking garage parking, then your car is more likely to be vandalized or stolen than a car that is parked in a private garage overnight. Additionally, drivers who live in densely populated urban areas are more likely to get into an accident than their rural-dwelling counterparts and may therefore pay more for their coverage.

If you move to a new home, it’s important to let your auto insurance agent know. Even if it’s within the same zip code, your monthly premium could change. This is a mandatory requirement of policy holders. You must let your insurance company know you’ve moved, along with your DMV.​

Getting the Best Rate with Nevada Insurance Enrollment

Even within the same zip code, different auto insurance companies may offer vastly different rates and coverage options. No matter where you live in Nevada, a Nevada Insurance Enrollment auto insurance agent can help you get the best coverage for your needs at the best rate available to you.