National Drive Safely Work Week is October 6 – 10, 2008. Insurance.com, offers some great tips for how to stay safe.
Drive Safe and Save
According to a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, the average accident costs an employer $16,500. However, accidents and violations can have a direct cost to the driver as well, increasing their auto insurance premium.
Insurance.com’s data supports the relationship between safe driving and lower premiums. Compare the average price of a policy sold by Insurance.com during 2008, from 15 companies nationwide, for customers with no traffic violations to those with 2 or more violations:
|
Average Premium by Violation |
| 0 Violations = $1,420 |
| 1 Violation = $1,601 |
| 2 Violations = $1,849 |
| 3 Violations = $2,006 |
| 4 Violations = $2,168 |
Likewise, even claims can cost you. Compare the price of a premium for consumers with no claims to those with 1, 2 or even more:
|
Average Premium by Claim |
| 0 Claims = $1,387 |
| 1 Claim = $1,689 |
| 2 Claims = $2,041 |
| 3 Claims = $2,348 |
| 4 Claims = $2,806 |
(Data based on policies sold by Insurance.com between January 1, 2008 and September 15, 2008.)
“Better drivers pay less, on average, for their auto insurance,” explains Sam Belden, Director of Consumer Experience at Insurance.com. “As our data shows, your driving history, and the number of violations or claims you’ve filed, can have a direct impact on your monthly insurance premiums. Obey the traffic laws, and be a careful and considerate driver. At the very least, you could realize significant savings on your policy.”
Belden suggests that drivers may want to consider driving courses as a possible path to car insurance savings. Many insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who take defensive driving courses. Such courses are often considered by insurers to be proof that drivers are actively pursuing safer driving practices. For more information about how violations and claims affect insurance rates, visit www.insurance.com.
Stephen Warde said on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 16:07
Whenever you get behind the wheel of a Car, it is possible that you may cause damage to other people’s property, or injure – or even kill – yourself, other drivers, passengers or pedestrians.
The Law - Cheap Car Insurance!
Most people don’t have the money to pay for the losses (property damage, injury, death) they might cause while driving, so governments require drivers to carry a certain amount of insurance to cover any losses they might cause others to suffer (Liability).