What Could Make my Premiums Go Up?

Many factors affect your premiums: some are factors you can control; others are factors you can't control. Let's focus on the factors you can control.

What you drive has a fairly significant impact on your premium. Insuring a sports car, or even a new car, can raise your premiums. It's a good idea to research any new or used car you're thinking about buying to determine how that car might impact your insurance costs.

How you drive can also affect your premium. A high rate of incidents on your driving record (tickets, accidents, etc.) means you'll likely have a higher than average insurance premium. Safe drivers with few or no accidents generally pay lower insurance premiums and can qualify for our Safe Driver Discount, or even Allstate's Safe Driving Bonus^SM, available only with Your Choice Auto®.

Where you drive (or where you live) can also have an impact on your bill. Driving, living, and parking in a neighborhood that has high crime, theft, or vandalism statistics (according to police records), means higher risks to you and your car, and therefore higher premiums.

The distance you drive can also cost you more, since the possibility of an accident increases with every mile on the road. To reduce your miles, and your premium, think about ways you can reduce your time in the car (use public transportation, bicycle commuting), or share your risks (carpooling).

And, of course, your specific policy characteristics can have a direct effect on premiums. A low deductible, a high coverage limit, additional coverage add-ons, or multiple insured drivers can easily raise your premium. Your Allstate agent can help you brainstorm about ways you can save without sacrificing protection.