Re: Auto insurance - how does it work where you live?
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:20 pm
I can shed some light on how premiums are calculated, having worked in the business. How are premiums calculated and what affects them?
Well it's not the car. Pretty much any car can be repaired for a few thousand, even a total write off is probably only going to average 10k.
Annual mileage? If you state that you only do 2k miles per year you will be considered high risk because you will not be used to driving. If you do more than 9k you will be considered high risk because you are on the road so much. From what I recall 6k was the magic number, but this was a few years ago.
Postcode? Yes, high theft rates will increase the premium.
Garaged? Doesn't make a lot of difference. As long as it is parked off the road at the policy holders address, it will not be considered high risk.
Age? Anyone under 21 is considered high risk. Once into retirement it increases again with age.
Alarms and Immobilisers? Slight risk if one is not fitted. Manufacturers system is ok.
Occupation? This makes a big difference, as this is where the easiest liability can be calculated. I seem to recall that a Project Manager was pretty low? The highest risk was a football club manager. Why? Because if he is carrying 5 first division players and has an accident the payout would be into the millions, even for fairly minor injuries.
I am also amused at the way that premiums are calculated. I had a Mini Cooper, £120 a year fully comprehensive. Hated the lack of suspension so sold it and bought a Volvo Estate (ok, a sporty version) which I thought would be rated as an old duffers car. £280 a year??!! I took comfort from the fact that it does over 50mpg and the road tax is only £20 a year.
And a word of warning, never ever register or insure a son or daughters car in your name with the son or daughter as named drivers. The insurance companies are wise to this, and have an arsenal of tools to prove who really owns the car, and who is the main driver. They can, and will, revoke the insurance, and add you to a blacklist that will be circulated to all insurance companies. In the event of a claim they will ask you for the full backdated premiums before they will pay out.
Well it's not the car. Pretty much any car can be repaired for a few thousand, even a total write off is probably only going to average 10k.
Annual mileage? If you state that you only do 2k miles per year you will be considered high risk because you will not be used to driving. If you do more than 9k you will be considered high risk because you are on the road so much. From what I recall 6k was the magic number, but this was a few years ago.
Postcode? Yes, high theft rates will increase the premium.
Garaged? Doesn't make a lot of difference. As long as it is parked off the road at the policy holders address, it will not be considered high risk.
Age? Anyone under 21 is considered high risk. Once into retirement it increases again with age.
Alarms and Immobilisers? Slight risk if one is not fitted. Manufacturers system is ok.
Occupation? This makes a big difference, as this is where the easiest liability can be calculated. I seem to recall that a Project Manager was pretty low? The highest risk was a football club manager. Why? Because if he is carrying 5 first division players and has an accident the payout would be into the millions, even for fairly minor injuries.
I am also amused at the way that premiums are calculated. I had a Mini Cooper, £120 a year fully comprehensive. Hated the lack of suspension so sold it and bought a Volvo Estate (ok, a sporty version) which I thought would be rated as an old duffers car. £280 a year??!! I took comfort from the fact that it does over 50mpg and the road tax is only £20 a year.
And a word of warning, never ever register or insure a son or daughters car in your name with the son or daughter as named drivers. The insurance companies are wise to this, and have an arsenal of tools to prove who really owns the car, and who is the main driver. They can, and will, revoke the insurance, and add you to a blacklist that will be circulated to all insurance companies. In the event of a claim they will ask you for the full backdated premiums before they will pay out.