Factors Influencing Car Insurance Premiums
The cost of your car insurance premiums is based on a number of factors:
- Age: Drivers under 25 have the most accidents. The safest drivers are generally between the ages of 50 and 65.
- Gender: Women tend to be safer drivers than men.
- Marital Status: A married person is considered to be more stable and pays lower premiums than a single person with an identical driving record.
- Driving Record: Having a history of accidents and/or moving violations places you at greater risk of future accidents and results in higher insurance premiums. However, as your driving record improves, your insurance premiums become lower.
- Credit Rating: If you have a poor credit history or no credit history, insurance companies may see you as a higher risk and may charge you higher rates.
- Occupation and Vehicle Use: If you have a job that requires you to use your vehicle frequently or drive significant distances regularly you may be at greater risk of accidents and therefore subject to higher insurance premiums. Anti-theft devices may help to lower your insurance costs.
- Where You Live: Where you live, drive and park your car may be the biggest determining factor in how much insurance you will pay. People who live in areas with little or no traffic pay less than those who live in congested areas with lots of traffic, car thefts and accidents. Even the cost of medical care in your area may affect the amount of your insurance premiums.
Comparing Queens to Other New York City Boroughs
In the five boroughs, car insurance rates are based on factors such as population density, the number of automobiles, rates of car theft and traffic congestion. Brooklyn has the highest car insurance rates, with an average annual premium of $3,550.47 followed by the Bronx at $3,022.40. Queens ranks third, at $2,549.69. Queens is the second most populous borough after Brooklyn and has a lower population density. Its rate of automobile theft is less than half that of Brooklyn. However, other factors serve to keep Queens car insurance rates relatively high. The borough houses two of the world’s busiest airports, JFK and LaGuardia, which increases vehicle use and traffic congestion in the borough. In addition, Citifield, where the New York Mets play, is also located in Queens. Within the borough of Queens, your neighborhood or zip code may also affect your insurance rates based on population, traffic congestion and the number of automobile thefts. For example, the average annual insurance rate in zip code 11106 is $2868 while the average annual premium in zip code 11412 is $3233.
Contact the Orlow Firm
If you have any questions, please contact the New York car accident attorneys at The Orlow Firm for a free consultation by calling (646) 647-3398.
