Higher impact
Driving record
At-fault accidents and moving violations are among the strongest signals insurers use. Most fade after three to five years.
Keep it clean; ask about traffic school
Car insurance, explained plainly
Know what drives your rate. Then pay for what you need.
Clear, independent guides to how car insurance prices are set, what pushes them up or down, and how to compare coverage without the jargon.
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- No jargon, no pressure
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Rate check
How much could you save? Check your rate.
Every insurer prices the same driver differently. Learn the handful of things that matter, line up your coverage, and you will know a fair price when you see one.
Check your rateFree guides. We never ask for personal details to read them.
- 01Know your factorsSee which parts of your profile move your price most.
- 02Match your coverageUse the same limits and deductibles so every comparison is fair.
- 03Check your rateCompare at renewal and after any life change.
Rate factors
How rates are set
The eight things that shape your price
Insurers each use their own formula, but nearly all of them start from the same core inputs. Here is what they look at, and what you can do about each one.
Higher impact
Where you park
Your garaging ZIP code reflects local traffic, theft, weather, repair and legal costs.
Update your address when you move
Medium to high
Your vehicle
Repair costs, safety ratings, theft rates and horsepower all shape the price of each model.
Check your rate before you buy
Higher impact
Age and experience
Newly licensed drivers cost the most to cover. Rates typically ease as experience builds.
Claim student and training discounts
You choose
Coverage and deductibles
Higher limits cost more; higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive usually cost less.
Pick a deductible you could pay tomorrow
Medium impact
Annual mileage
More time on the road means more exposure. Work-from-home and retired drivers may qualify for less.
Report your real mileage
Medium impact
Insurance history
A lapse in coverage can raise your price. Continuous coverage is often rewarded.
Avoid gaps between policies
Varies by state
Credit-based score
Many states allow an insurance score built from credit history; a few ban or limit it.
Know your state's rules
Latest guides
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Fresh from the Rate Check HQ desk
Car budget
The True Monthly Cost of Owning a Car
The payment is only the beginning. Here is a simple way to add up everything a car really costs each month, and where you can trim without cutting corners.
Life events
Buying a Car? Check the Insurance Cost Before You Sign
Two cars with the same sticker price can cost very different amounts to insure. A few minutes of homework before you buy can save you from a surprise on your first bill.
Tickets & claims
After a Ticket or Accident: What Happens to Your Rate
A ticket or an at-fault accident usually raises your premium, but not forever. Here is how surcharges work, how long they last, and what you can do about them.
Life events
Moving? How a New Address Changes Your Car Insurance Rate
Where you park at night is one of the biggest factors in your price. Here is what changes when you move across town or across the country, and the steps to take before moving day.
Life events
Adding a Teen Driver Without Blowing the Budget
A new driver in the house is one of the biggest jumps a family will see in its car insurance bill. A little planning keeps it manageable.
Before you compare
A five-minute checklist for a fair comparison
Comparing prices only works when you compare the same thing. Gather these first and every number you see will mean something.
Read coverage basics- Your current declarations pageIt lists your limits, deductibles and the drivers and cars on the policy.
- Each driver's license detailsPlus any tickets or accidents from the past several years.
- Vehicle details or VINYear, make, model and trim, and roughly how many miles you drive a year.
- The coverage you wantDecide limits and deductibles first, then keep them identical everywhere.
- A list of discounts to ask aboutBundling, good student, low mileage, paid in full and more.