Why Did My Car Insurance Go Up Without an Accident? (2024)

It can be frustrating to see your insurance rates climb when you can’t see any reason for it. If you haven’t had a car accident, why are you suddenly more expensive to insure?

In this article, we’ll look at the factors that influence your car insurance premiums and demystify the process a bit. We’ll also consider the steps you can take to keep your insurance costs as low as possible.

Understanding Insurance Premiums

The amount you pay to your insurance company in order to be insured is the premium. This is different from a deductible, which refers to how much you have to pay out-of-pocket after an accident before your insurance coverage kicks in.

The average car insurance cost per month fluctuates, but has been increasing recently. Insurance premiums are swayed by a large number of factors. Some of those factors are within your control, while others are dictated by broader trends and collective data. Knowing what can affect your rate can help you sway the factors within your control and potentially lower your premium.

Insurance Price Factors That Are In Your Control

Let’s start with the factors that impact insurance premiums that you may be able to control.

Location

Where you live can have a large impact on your insurance rates. Living in a city with high traffic density and a higher likelihood of theft or vandalism often leads to higher insurance premiums. If you’ve recently moved neighborhoods, this change alone could be the cause of your changed insurance costs.

Driving Record

Insurance companies often view a clean driving record as a sign of lower risk. If you’ve had serious traffic violations or accidents, your premium may increase as a result. This may be true even if you’ve had a car accident that was not your fault. A new driver record is also often cause for higher premiums.

Driving Distance

That long commute to work may be costing you in insurance premiums as well. Insurance companies are more likely to offer you a low premium if you only drive short distances or infrequently. Long distance commutes mean more possibilities for an accident that would require an insurance payout.

Vehicle Type

The car you choose to drive can also have a big impact on your insurance premiums. More expensive vehicles and vehicles with poor safety ratings tend to be more expensive to insure.

Insurance Credit Score

Some insurance companies rely on a credit-based insurance score when calculating your premium. This is based on studies that suggest drivers with better credit are less likely to file insurance claims. If your personal credit has taken a dip, it could be the reason for an increase in your insurance rate.

Insurance Price Factors That Are Not In Your Control

It can be frustrating to wonder “why does my car insurance keep going up with no accidents?” We’ll take a look at the factors that can lead to higher rates and explain why they may be affecting your insurance.

Collective Risk

Insurance companies often set their rates based not just on your risk as an individual driver, but also on the risks common to your area. If other drivers in your zip code experience increased rates of accidents, theft, or even weather-related damage, the insurance company can see all drivers in the area as an increased risk. This is also true when a high number of uninsured drivers in the area raise the risk of an accident without insurance. This factor often leads to rate increases even when you haven’t made an insurance claim.

Inflation and Market Fluctuations

Inflation in the economy makes everything more expensive, and that can include the cost of insurance. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, auto insurance costs have been climbing along with inflation since late 2021. As the market fluctuates, most insurance companies pass on rising costs to consumers.

Vehicle Repair Costs

Many cars on the road today have enhanced technology features. Sensors and cameras can be damaged even in minor car accidents, leading to expensive repairs. Labor shortages in the vehicle repair industry have also caused rates for repairs to increase. These repair cost increases are considered by insurance companies when setting your premiums.

Natural Disasters

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 held the highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a calendar year. As natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, the chance for damage to fall in your area also increases. Insurers are building this risk into their rates for insuring you against natural disaster damage.

Personal Factors

Even your personal attributes can impact your car insurance rate. Young drivers are often subject to higher rates because their lack of driving experience can make them a bigger risk for accidents. Meanwhile, women tend to pay lower rates than men because they have been found to present a statistically lower risk for accidents.