What's making your car insurance premium costlier 22^nd February 2023

Most of us have invested financially and emotionally in our automobiles, making them more than just a convenience. While cars are undoubtedly a long-term asset, the associated expenses can often amount to a large sum that many may hesitate to bear.

Apart from the regular fuel and maintenance, another necessary cost is your car insurance. Despite being mandated, many find loopholes to escape the law due to the rising cost of premiums annually. Instead of evading the process, find out why your car insurance premium is rising and whether you can manage it.

1. Vehicle inspection:
Your insurer may inspect the vehicle if there is a considerable lag between the policy expiry date and the intended policy renewal date, which may result in a higher insurance premium. You can prevent such costs by renewing your insurance on time as per the due date.

2. Brand and model:
The price of the car relies on its model, due to which different models have different premiums. A vehicle with a lower Insured Declared Value (IDV) will have a lower premium than one with a high IDV.

3. Advantage of NCB:
No-claim bonus is the primary element of a car insurance policy that lowers the premium and promotes careful driving. It rewards car owners for not filing a claim with a discount of up to 20% while renewing the policy. By applying the claims, you risk losing this advantage and could pay a more significant premium than necessary.

4. Driving habits:
Defaulting on laws, failing to use a seatbelt, etc., could get you into difficulty with law enforcement and your insurance company. If any traffic violation is made in your name, your premium will likely go up.

5. Purchasing insurance from the dealer in a hurry:
Explore various car insurance options and evaluate the offering, premium, and coverage to find the best option. A hastily purchased car insurance is a bigger expense than an asset. Additionally, dealers have a restricted area of competence, offer fewer options, and seek direct profits from the sale, so they may offer a policy that is more expensive than you need.

6. Claim history:
You may be a risky policyholder if you have a history of making frequent claims. Your profile might be deemed dangerous if your claim is denied due to factors like illegal vehicle use or involvement in filing fake insurance claims. As a result, you may be charged a more significant premium since the higher the risk, the higher the premium.

7. Vehicle and driver age:
The older the car and the younger the driver, the higher the premium. An older vehicle is more prone to wear and tear, and a novice or inexperienced driver needs to gain the knowledge of an experienced driver. You can lower your rate by choosing a zero Depreciation cover for your insurance plan.

8. Lack of awareness of deductible's effects:
An expense that the owner of the car bears when filing a claim is deductible or voluntary deduction. Making a proper deductible decision is crucial. If you are a seasoned driver who doesn't need to file claims frequently, you can select a greater deductible to lower your cost. However, if you leave it at zero, you will receive your entire claim payment but will have to pay a higher premium.

9. Locality analysis:
The insurer may raise the cost of insuring cars from a particular location if data indicates, for instance, that there has been a significant surge in flooding or car theft in your area.

A closer inspection is all it takes to identify why your car insurance premium increased, even if it may appear unclear initially. Some factors are uncontrollable, while others can be managed by a potential policyholder who has done his research. We encourage readers to check and compare car insurance prices online before purchasing a policy to avail themselves of the best offer.

Click HERE to buy reliable car insurance in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.