Whether you live in New York City or Scottsdale, AZ, most states mandate that you carry auto insurance with minimum liability coverage. But, what if you have a bad driving record? Can you afford to have auto insurance?
Better yet – can you afford not to have auto insurance?
Are You a High-Risk Driver?
Most people think of high-risk drivers as those with multiple tickets and/or accidents. However, it’s more than that. Here are some factors that may qualify you as a high-risk driver:
- You have been driving for less than a year (regardless of age)
- You are between the ages of 16 and 24
- You own a sports car
- You live in a high-crime neighborhood
- You have a long daily commute
- You have a medical condition that may impair your ability to drive (such as visual or hearing impairment or an injury to a limb)
- You are an older driver (generally over the age of 65)
- You have had multiple accidents ruled as your fault
- You have one or more DUIs (driving under the influence) or a suspended, canceled or revoked drivers license
- You can request that a DUI Lawyer review your arrest and see if the DUI charge can be dropped.
- You have multiple moving violations, especially speeding, running a red light, or rolling through a stop sign
While one of these may not affect or may only nudge your auto insurance rates up slightly, more than one can have a significant impact on your ability to get insurance as well as the cost of your premiums. In general, high-risk auto insurance can be very expensive. The amount of money paid out because of a car accident will help determine if you will be a high-risk driver, according to personal injury lawyer, Hogle Injury Law.
Taking Control of Your Driving Record
Even if you’re a high-risk driver, you can reduce the amount of money you pay for auto insurance by taking the right steps to overcome the high prices that insurance companies would normally charge you.
Multiple coverage discount. Even if your driving record isn’t stellar, most insurance carriers offer discounts to individuals who take out more than one type of insurance policy with them. So if you own a home, need life insurance, have your own business, or are in need of any other type of insurance policy, talk to your insurance agent about getting a package deal. For parents, this means including their teenagers on their auto insurance policy.
Take a driving class. Your auto insurance carrier might offer you a better rate if you take a safe driver or defensive driving course. Check around. You might even be able to find a free course, such as Key to Safe Teen Driving offered to Ohio teens by Kumho Tires USA, KeyBank, and The Mid-Ohio School.
Reconsider your car. Being young, cool, and driving a hot car to prove it can place you in the high-risk driver category. Before you run out and purchase one of the top stolen cars in the country, according to this article from Forbes, consider buying something a little more ordinary and practical.
Add safety features. Always wear your seat belt. In addition, protect you and your car further by making sure it has safety and theft deterrent equipment, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and a car alarm.
At the end of the day, the best way to remove yourself from the high-risk driver category is to drive defensively and safely. That way you’ll be able to get quality auto insurance regardless of whether you live in Scottsdale or anywhere else.