Posts Tagged ‘high risk car insurance’

What Does the High-risk Driver Category Mean for Auto Insurance Purposes

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Many drivers fall into the category being considered high risk for auto insurance purposes. New drivers are placed in this category because of their lack of experience behind the wheel and the fact that they are more likely to be involved in an accident. Other factors which may put a driver in the high risk category include the following:

  • More than one accident
  • Several moving violations on the driving record in in one year
  • DUI or DWI charge
  • Lapse in the auto insurance coverage
  • Poor credit history
  • Living in a high risk area

Accidents and Moving Violations and Driving

Auto insurance companies gather information about the number of accidents or moving violations that driver accumulates because they look at prior behavior as a way to determine how someone will behave behind the wheel in the future. A driver with a history of being involved in several accidents, whether at fault and not at fault, will likely pay more for his or her coverage than a person who has a clean driving record.

DUI or DWI Charge

Being charged with an impaired driving offense (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol of a Drug or Driving While Impaired) means that the driver will be placed in a high risk category. This category designation will stay in place for several years. Insurance providers know that a person who has been charged with this type of offense is likely to do so again.

Lapse in Auto Insurance Coverage

Having a lapse in auto insurance coverage is another factor that providers use to determine high-risk for auto insurance purposes. Keeping continuous coverage in place is important for drivers who want to be seen as a good risk by insurance providers.

Poor Credit History

In some states. an auto insurance provider can use an applicant’s credit history when determining how much to charge for coverage. A person with a poor credit history may be considered a high risk for coverage purposes and be charged higher rates of the result.

Living in a High Risk Area

People living in high risk areas also pay more for their auto insurance coverage. A policyholder who lives in a neighborhood where several car thefts have been reported is considered a high risk for corporate purposes. For this reason, auto insurance companies ask for an applicant’s zip code before they will provide a quote for coverage.

Finding High Risk Auto Insurance Coverage

A driver who is considered a high risk for auto insurance purposes should make a point of shopping around and getting quotes from different providers for his or her coverage. There are some auto insurance companies which specialize in covering high risk drivers and each one determines how much to charge for coverage independently.

It is possible for a driver who is considered high risk to qualify for standard auto insurance rates after a few years, provided that he or she maintains a clean driving record. This designation, and the higher rates which go with it, does not have to be permanent.

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Posted in General Auto Insurance |

How Can I Find Affordable High-risk Auto Insurance Coverage

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Finding affordable high risk auto insurance coverage can be challenging. If you have been classified in this category, you still have options, though. Making a point of getting quotes from different providers before buying a policy is a good strategy for all auto insurance buyers, but in the case of non-standard coverage it is even more important to consider your options carefully.

Not all auto insurance providers will offer to extend coverage to a high-high risk driver, and those which will take on this level of risk tend to charge much higher rates for it. There are auto insurance companies which specialize in serving this niche market, and this may be your best bet for finding the affordable coverage you need.

High-risk Driver Rating

You may be classified as a high risk driver if any of the following circumstances apply to you:

  • Young or newly-licensed driver
  • Male
  • Gaps in your auto insurance coverage history
  • Poor credit
  • Driving history which includes a number of accidents (at fault or otherwise)
  • DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Impaired) charges
  • Living in an area where multiple claims have been reported

If your driving history shows a number of moving violations, the auto insurance company determines that you are more likely to be involved in an accident. In a situation where you have been charged with a DUI or DWI, you are automatically considered a high risk for auto insurance purposes and you can expect to pay more for your coverage for several years after your driving privileges have been reinstated. Other driving offenses which will lead to higher auto insurance rates for at least a year following the event include:

  • Reckless driving
  • Hit and run
  • Negligent vehicular injury
  • Driving under the influence of drugs

Shop Around for Lowest Rates for High-Risk Coverage

If you have been classified as a high-risk driver for auto insurance coverage, start your search for affordable coverage by approaching your current provider. Your rates will go up but you may be able to stay with the same company. If the company will not provide coverage or the rate is too high, then you can start looking at other providers.

Going online is an effective way for you to find companies willing to provide high risk auto insurance to drivers. Conducting a search for “high risk auto insurance” (with quotation marks) and the name of your city will provide you with links to insurers who are willing to write policies for high risk drivers.

You can save more on your coverage by considering the level of protection you need carefully. It’s a good idea to review your coverage at least once a year to make sure that you are not paying for extra items which add to your coverage costs. You will be paying more for your coverage as a high risk driver, and you should make sure that you are well covered without adding to its cost.

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Posted in General Auto Insurance |

KY Auto Insurance Carriers for High Risk Drivers

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

High risk, or non-standard, auto insurance buyers in KY may not be able to buy a policy from all insurance providers licensed to sell products in the state. They may need to get quotes from companies which specialize in providing coverage to this niche market.

Some circumstances where a driver may be classified as high risk include:

  • Having one’s driver’s license suspended or revoked
  • Being a young driver (20 years of age or younger)
  • Being a senior driver (aged 70 and up)
  • History of accidents and/or moving violations

When a driver is placed in this category, it doesn’t mean that he or she should not shop around to get the best rates for coverage. Rates for non-standard drivers can vary significantly, depending on the company involved. Going online is an effective strategy for finding insurance for high risk drivers.

Conducting an online search for high risk car insurance companies in KY will provide consumers with a number of choices. Visiting individual web sites can help the consumer learn about the products that each one offers, as well as the company itself. All car insurance buyers should deal with a company that is well-established and that provides a good level of customer service, as well as the best possible rates.

If you are a young driver or have been involved in accidents, you may be able to buy a standard policy in a few years. Review your coverage at least once a year and get quotes from multiple providers before renewing your coverage.

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Posted in Kentucky, USA |

Alaska Auto Insurance for High-risk Drivers

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

High-risk drivers who are looking for Alaska auto insurance coverage will be paying higher rates than people who are rated as standard drivers.  An individual may be put into this category if they have a DUI (Driving While Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) conviction on their driving record or they have been involved in more than one accident within the past few years.

Some people who have been placed in the non-standard (or high risk) category may have their insurance policy canceled by their current car insurance company. The insurance company may refuse to renew the policy when it comes up for renewal as well.

Simply because a person needs to find Alaska auto insurance for high-risk drivers does not mean that they shouldn’t shop around to get the best possible rates on their policy. There are insurance companies that specialize in this niche market, and some standard companies will also offer coverage to a driver who needs non-standard protection.

Even if a driver is considered high risk driver at a certain time in his or her life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will always have that designation. Maintaining a clean driving record for a few years can go a long way toward being able to qualify for lower rates, since an insurance company will look at an applicant’s driving history for up to five years when setting rates.

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Posted in Alaska, USA |

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