How to Keep Your Insurance Rates Under Control

Since 2011, auto insurance premiums on average have skyrocketed to $926, up a shocking 16%. According to insurance companies, this spike is due in part to more people driving distracted, which includes smartphone use while driving. Distracted driving leads to more insurance claims, higher premiums, and more injuries.

When many people who are covered under an insurance carrier’s policies get into accidents, that company typically raises rates for everyone. They’re in business to make money, so they look for ways to recoup what they have to pay out.

As an insured driver, there are ways you can help keep premiums down and contribute to responsible driving at the same time. Here are a few of them:

Don’t Text and Drive

An alarming amount of American drivers take their eyes off of the road to text. The dangers involved in this type of careless activity seem obvious, as we keep hearing about crashes that result in serious injury or death. In addition to safety concerns, texting and driving is adding to your insurance bill.

Some people have noticed that their annual insurance premium has doubled in the last year, which is unnecessary and almost unbelievable that things can get that bad.

Think About Fatality Statistics When You Drive Distracted

We don’t like to think about dying in a car accident, but that’s the unfortunate reality of our times. To hammer home the importance of driving carefully, think about this every time you get behind the wheel while distracted:

• Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that distraction-related auto deaths increased by nearly 9% in 2015 from the previous year.
• More than 40,000 individuals perished on our roads in 2015, a jump of 14% and the sharpest rise that has occurred in 53 years

Break the Habit of Having to Use Your Phone All the Time

Chris Mullen, who is the Director of Technology Research at insurance company State Farm, reported to NBC News that today’s generation of drivers grew up texting and then they experienced driving. For many of them, texting comes naturally and it’s a habit that’s hard to break, even when they’re told concentrated driving should take priority.

Additionally, new teen drivers will have been watching their parents drive. Which means, if adults are careless with their phones in front of kids, these young adults will often think it’s okay to do the same.

Call Out Friends and Family for Distracted Driving

In the interest of insurance costs and keeping people safe, we recommend you call out anyone you see using their phones while driving. You can remind them that it may be against the law, it’s definitely dangerous, and it will likely cause their insurance rates to rise if they’re in an accident. Often, people who drive distracted aren’t willing to admit they’re doing anything wrong, and they may get defensive. So, it can be helpful to approach the situation from a place of concern rather than anger.

It’s best for the budget when we drive safely and not see increases to our insurance premiums. Not to mention, it’s also best for our safety and for the safety of those around us. If you’ve been the victim of an auto accident because someone else was engaged in distracted driving, you may notice a bump in your insurance rates and, worse, you may be seriously injured. If this has happened to you, we want to hear your story.

Taos Injury Lawyers may be able to help you get compensation if you have been in a wreck and the other person was driving recklessly. Fill out our contact form to find out how.