Whether you are purchasing auto insurance for the first time or have had it for years and want to know how to get a better rate, it is important to be informed about the different factors that can affect your auto insurance rates, both for better and for worse. Three of those factors, some of the most common ones, are listed below for you to learn or review. 

1. Your Driving History

Have you been in a lot of car accidents? Do you have a lot of speeding or parking tickets? Those situations not only add up to impressive fines for you; they also add up and can increase your insurance rates. The good news is that the longer you go without getting a ticket or being in an accident, the better chance you have of eventually lowering your rate. Some things related to your driving history that are not necessarily bad can also affect your rate; for example, how many miles per day you drive. The way insurance companies see it, the more you drive, the higher your chance is of getting into an accident. 

2. Financial Situation and Responsibility

There are several factors related to your finances that can affect your auto insurance rates. If you have a high credit score, for example, you can often get a lower rate. If you did not have a good score when you first got insurance but do now, you can get another quote and potentially end up paying less. Your ability to pay more money upfront also benefits you positively. Most insurance companies will give you a discount if you can pay for the whole year at once, rather than paying month to month. 

3. Your Personal Information

Personal information like age, marital status, gender, occupation, and the place you live affect everyone's insurance. Young men tend to pay more for insurance than young women, for example, and married people tend to pay less than single people. The amount of traffic accidents that occur near your home also plays a part in deciding your rate, along with the amount of time you spend traveling by car for your job. All of the risks associated with these different factors are calculated and come together to determine your rate.

The good news about auto insurance is that your rate can always change along with your situation, so as things improve, you can get a new quote and potentially lower your rates. That's why it is important to know about the factors that affect your rate; staying in the loop can potentially save you a lot of money! Contact an auto insurance company like Kesner Insurance Agency Inc today for more help.