Auto insurance rates are based on a variety of factors. The premium you pay consists of a "base rate" plus or minus amounts reflecting your age, gender, marital status, driving pattern, vehicle type, driving record and claims history. There is a different base rate for each type of car and geographical area. While individual companies may differ in the amounts they assess for each factor, the major rating factors are fairly universal.

Your age: Statistics show that, as a group, drivers under age 30 have more accidents per mile driven than the general population. Thus, young drivers are charged higher rates, as are families with young drivers in the household.

Your gender: Young men are involved in more accidents per miles driven than any other population group. The difference is especially pronounced for male drivers under 30. Washington law allows insurance companies to charge on the basis of gender and age where the actual proof of differences in risk exists.

Your car: Generally, the more expensive your vehicle, the more you will pay for comprehensive and collision coverage. Also, because sports cars and high-performance cars tend to get into more accidents, cost more to repair and are more likely to be stolen, they cost more to insure.

Your location: The higher number of accidents in a populous area will raise both your liability and collision premiums, while higher crime rates in urban areas can raise your comprehensive premiums. The law allows companies to base your rate on your address (garaging territory), even though you may drive to a more urban or rural area.

Driving patterns: The more miles you drive, the higher your rates will be. A car used for a total of 7,000 miles a year would normally have lower rates than a car driven 15,000 miles a year. Your work commuting distance will mean additional miles on top of non-commuting , "pleasure", miles.

Your driving record and claims history: Most companies apply a surcharge to drivers who have been involved in an accident or convicted of multiple traffic violations. Also, the more claims you have made, the higher your rates are likely to be.

Credit Scoring: An insurance score uses information from your credit report to determine how stable or financially responsible you are. There is strong statistical evidence, based on years of analysis, that people with high insurance scores - that is, people with superior credit histories - file fewer or smaller claims. The opposite is also true. People with lower insurance scores as a group tend to file more or larger claims.

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2. How can I save money on car insurance while maintaining safe levels of coverage?
Choose the right car: Before you buy a car, check with your agent to see how much the rate for the car you have chosen will be, and if the premium and the car payment fit your budget.

Choose a higher deductible: Your insurance premium can be decreased if you increase your portion of the risk. Raising your collision and comprehensive deductibles from $250 to $500 or higher can save money. You do need to be aware that you will have to pay the higher deductible any time you use these coverage's.

Take advantage of special discounts: Ask each company what special discounts it offers. Discounts are available to young drivers who are good students or have taken a drivers' education course. Discounts are also available to seniors who take the "55-Alive" program offered by many organizations. 

Eliminate duplicate coverage's: You may have an overlap in coverage, such as medical coverage and health care, or collision and uninsured motorist property damage. Ask your agent to explain what each coverage offers.

Shop around: Since insurance companies are all separate businesses with unique financial goals and costs, it isn't unusual to find rate variances between companies for the exact same coverage. The cheapest insurance may not provide the degree of coverage you need. It is a good idea to discuss this aspect with your insurance agent and/or insurance company.

3. I was involved in an automobile accident, what do I do?
      Notify the police to file an accident report.
      Notify your company or agent if necessary.
      Find your automobile policy and read it to be prepared.

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4. What if their insured won't file a claim?
You cannot force an insured (the person who is named on the insurance policy, also called the policyholder) to file a claim but every insurer, upon receiving notification of a claim, shall respond within ten working days to acknowledge the receipt of such notice unless a payment has been made within that period of time. They also must provide claim forms and help in having their insured report the claim.

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5. Their insured was cited by the police, why do they have to investigate?
A traffic citation is not a determination of legal liability. It is possible that there may be more than one person at fault and the liability could be shared. Each party's duty is to avoid an accident and their failure to perform those duties must be considered. Simply being "in the wrong place at the wrong time" isn't proof of negligence.

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6. I have "full coverage", why won't my company pay?
There is no definition of "full coverage" so often there are misunderstandings. Read the declarations page you get from you company at renewal time and see what coverage's are listed that have a price beside them. Those are the coverage's that you have. Towing, rental, and extended coverage for special stereo or other equipment are additional coverage's you must request.

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7. Do they owe me a rental car, and for how long?
If the other party's insurance is accepting liability, you are entitled to be compensated for the loss of use of your vehicle for a reasonable length of time while it is under repairs or not drivable. If your vehicle is considered a total loss, most companies will provide a reasonable amount for loss of use. If your company is handling the damages you must have rental coverage on your policy to obtain a rental car.

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8. Can I take my car wherever I want to have it fixed?
You are free to choose the shop you want to do the work. If you choose to take your vehicle to a repair facility in which the overall cost for a satisfactory repair is higher than the insurer’s estimate, you may be liable for any additional amount above their estimate. The insurer must provide you with the names of reputable repair shops reasonably close to you that can satisfactorily complete the repairs for the amount of their estimate.

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9. What if the estimates don't match?
The repair shop generally works with the adjuster to handle any "supplement" (additional costs) that occur due to hidden damage or parts price differences. If the company and the shop can't agree, it is the responsibility of the company to provide the name of a repair shop that will repair your vehicle for the amount of the estimate. The repair shop the company suggests must not be an unreasonable distance from where you live.

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10. Can they use non-brand name parts or used parts?
The company owes you repair or replacement with like kind and quality parts, not necessarily new parts. If the parts and repairs are guaranteed by the repair shop, and are in the same condition as the parts damaged, they conform to the repair requirements. If you insist on certain parts you may have to pay the additional cost.

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11. I don't want it fixed right now. Can they pay me the repair amount?
Companies have differing policies regarding payment procedures. Your company may have policy language regarding whether it is necessary to repair your vehicle, or to make the draft payable to a lien holder or a body shop and the owner. If the other party's company is paying they are required to pay either the registered owner or the lien holder, or both. A direct payment to the owner who doesn't repair the car right away usually will not allow for any supplemental payments for undetected, additional damage.

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12. They've declared my vehicle a total loss but won't pay me enough to replace it. Is that legal?
The company owes you the actual cash value of a comparable vehicle in your local area. You can determine this amount by using dealer quotes and/or newspaper ads or other auto sales publications, as long as the vehicle being sold is comparable to yours in mileage, condition, options, etc. In addition they will pay you sales tax on the value of your vehicle, and pay the unused portion of your registration fees. You may have the option of keeping your car (called - retaining the salvage). If you do, the company will subtract the value of the salvage from the final settlement, as you are keeping the damaged car.

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13. I've spent a lot of time and phone calls dealing with this. Can I charge them for my time and costs?
A property damage claim includes the cost to repair or replace the vehicle and compensation for loss of use of that vehicle. Insurance policies define this property damage as to the amount they will pay on behalf of their insured. There is not doubt that any accident is an inconvenience for everyone involved, however, the insured person's policy probably won't compensate you for time or lost wages under a property damage claim. Currently there is no law or case law that addresses this issue. This matter is often settled through Small Claims Court.

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