Charles Goodman Group: Experienced Bedford Insurance Broker
Experienced drivers are well aware of their good habits and car type affecting their insurance rates, but geography also plays a part. From local traffic history to yearly crime statistics, a Bedford insurance agent must look at all factors involved with a driver and vehicle before a policy is set in place. Insurance costs must strike a balance between the driver’s needs and potential vehicle losses.
In general, a rural resident has a lower insurance cost than urban neighbors. Residents living on farms or within small towns may commute to cities, but they don’t encounter traffic as a daily occurrence in many cases. They may not even have much of a commute on other days because they work the family land or walk to a local retail job position. City dwellers encounter many factors that insurance companies must integrate into the policy, making costs higher for most customers.
Commuting length is a huge factor in premium costs because the vehicle is on the road for a set period of time each day. One driver may commute 5 miles whereas another person takes 35 miles. The longer commute period has a higher chance of accidents, creating an expensive policy. Short commutes reduce accident probability and wear on the vehicle, so costs are typically considerably lower.
A vehicle’s surroundings are also part of the policy cost. When a policyholder drives or parks a car in a ZIP code with high crime rates, insurance costs rise.
A trusted insurance agent from the Charles Goodman Group of Bedford can assist you with any questions regarding property insurance or automobile insurance.
There’s a higher probability that the car will be vandalized or caught in an accident within these areas. Costs are also higher if a driver lives in a high-crime area as opposed to just working within one. Crimes are usually more rampant after dark while a vehicle is parked at home.
A vehicle’s parking situation is another geographical dilemma for insurance underwriters. When a car is parked in a secure building lot, there is less risk of damage than parking on a city street. Storing the vehicle in a home garage is the best way to reduce rates, however.
Traffic congestion is a real problem for big cities and may also cause an increase in insurance rates. When the insurance company knows a car travels into downtown Los Angeles each day, for instance, bumper-to-bumper traffic is a given. Rates may be higher because accidents are more likely to occur, prompting many consumers to add uninsured motorist protection for extra coverage on the vehicle.
If a consumer feels an auto policy is too expensive, go over the concerns with an agent immediately. Experienced insurance professionals can literally break down all the information necessary to explain a policy cost. If consumers want any changes to the policy, the insurer can work on amendments almost immediately to improve customer satisfaction.