Typically, preferred risk car insurance has the lowest rates because it is offered to drivers who are considered significantly less likely to make claims considering they have good and long driving, insurance and credit history, are between the ages of 25 and 65, drive a relatively modest vehicle and live in a safer zip code with lower accident, auto theft, vandalism and loss payouts.
A preferred risk is considered to have less chance and impact of potential claims in comparison to the average or typical risk and therefore rated favourably by insurers. In terms of automobile insurance, not only are they the best drivers but also they have better credit score, drive a lower risk car and live in a preferential zip code.
Insurance companies commonly categorize drivers into four groups: preferred, standard, substandard and assigned risk. Preferred drivers with their clean driving records and other favourable qualities are expected to cause the least losses to insurers so they are eligible for lower insurance premiums. Standard drivers are considered to have an average level of risk and are charged regular premiums. On the other hand, substandard drivers pose the highest risk to insure and face higher rates as they have significant issues like claims, tickets, international license, young age and no history. Assigned risk drivers don’t conform to acceptable criteria and are denied coverage by traditional insurers, leading them to seek coverage through state-assigned risk pools.
A preferred risk policyholder is deemed considerably less likely to file insurance claims, after careful consideration of all the relevant details and factors. As a result, insurance companies favor preferred risks over standard or higher-risk policyholders and offer them their most competitive rates as they are expected to be profitable even with lower revenues. They are probably the least problematic since they rarely make claims and pay their premium like clockwork.
To enhance your chances of becoming a preferred applicant and securing the best car insurance rates, focus on improving in the following areas;
- Good driving record: Maintaining a clean driving record with no accidents or traffic violations is one of the key factors for obtaining favorable insurance rates. Usually companies look at the last 3 – 5 years of history when they price an application.
- Credit score: Nearly all insurers check credit history. It is a significant rating factor and most states allow credit checks for premium calculation purposes. Underwriters believe that someone with a better credit score is less likely to make claims, while money problems may increase the chances.
- Age and experience: Younger and less experienced drivers are typically charged higher insurance rates due to their perceived higher risk. As you gain more driving experience and reach certain age milestones (such as 25), your rates may decrease and hold steady afterwards, although they may start going up again once you reach age 65.
- Maintain continuous coverage without any lapses to demonstrate your responsibility and reliability as a policyholder. Companies like people who are attentive to their coverage and keep paying their premium.
- Choose the right car: Particulars of the car you drive are always taken into account and impacts insurance rates a lot. Generally, cars with high safety ratings, lower theft rates, and lower repair and replacement costs tend to be rated highly. Sports cars and luxury vehicles, on the other hand, are usually more expensive to insure.
If you’re considered a safe candidate for automobile insurance, you can enjoy significant discounts, resulting in lower premiums. To maximize your benefits, prioritize getting the best value for your money. Leverage the freedom to compare quotes from different companies, knowing they will strive to outdo each other to secure your business.