insurance score. The exact combination and how much weight is given to each will depend on the company. The factors may include: • Your credit score. A higher score means a lower premium. • Your age and the age of the people in your family. Younger drivers tend to have higher premiums, and teenagers can double or triple their premiums depending on whether they use your car or have their own. • Your driving history, including speeding tickets, driving violations, driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, accidents, and claim history. (If your insurer deems you a risky driver, your premiums will likely skyrocket.) • Your gender, although some states have a law requiring equal pricing. • Your car’s make, model, age, worth, safety features and ratings, and the cost to replace parts. Sporty cars, new cars, expensive cars, and cars with worse crash ratings cost more to insure. • Where you park and drive your car. City cars cost more because there’s more likelihood of them getting in an accident. • Whether you use your car for work, personal reasons, commuting, or farming. • How much you drive per year. • Your profession. (More dangerous or stressful jobs often lead to higher premiums, as does a job that requires a lot of driving.) • If you’re married. (Married couples tend to pay less.) • How likely your car is to be stolen or vandalized. 33
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