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These days, with inflation being what it is, people are looking for more ways to cut expenses everywhere they can. Some things, like car insurance, can’t really be avoided… but there are some ways you can bring your premiums down.
First of all, if you think your insurance premiums in Atlanta are high, you’re not just imagining things. On the average, car insurance in Atlanta is $334 more expensive per year than the national average. According to Bankrate, Georgia overall is the 6th most expensive state to insure a vehicle.
So why is it so much more expensive to insure a car here?
Why Atlanta vehicle insurance is expensive
There are several reasons why we pay so much for car insurance in Atlanta. Here are a few of them.
♦ A high percentage of uninsured drivers
Uninsured drivers make life more difficult for everyone, especially when it comes to paying premiums. One study concluded that Georgia has a rate of 12.4% when it comes to uninsured drivers, which isn’t the worst, but also not the best.
♦ Some of the busiest highways in the U.S.
If you live and work in Atlanta, you probably already know that Atlanta’s highways are notoriously congested. In a 2021 study of the top ten busiest highways in the United States, Atlanta scored a whopping three times:
- I-285 at I-85 (North) at #2
- I-75 at I-285 (North) at #5
- I-20 at I-285 (West)
It also won’t surprise you to learn that these are also some of the most dangerous highways in the state — and that’s where insurance rates come in. More accidents means more claims, and that cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher premiums. This is true of any large city, where a denser population, crime, and other factors lead to more insurance claims… but Atlanta has it particularly rough.
♦ Vehicle repair costs
This is true everywhere in the country, not just Atlanta. More sophisticated onboard systems and expensive replacement parts for cars in America means it cost more to repair them — and, as above, that cost gets passed right down to you.
♦ Healthcare costs
The cost of healthcare has gone up every year in Georgia, which impacts car insurance because in case of injury or disability, the auto insurer is on the line for those medical costs. This means auto insurance premiums, in general, will rise as health care costs rise.
♦ Extreme weather conditions
Another common source of expensive insurance claims comes from severe weather. Georgia in particular is prone to severe storms, tornadoes, flash floods, and sometimes winter storms. With these sorts of events occurring more and more as the climate changes, damage claims will rise — and premiums with them.
Other factors affecting your premiums
There are some other factors that aren’t unique to Atlanta or Georgia when it comes to driving up your insurance premiums.
Factors that might work against you include:
- Having a low credit score
- Having a flawed driving record (accidents, tickets, arrests)
- Living in the city (bigger cities cost more to live in, and that includes insurance)
- Being a young driver (teenagers and younger drivers pay some of the highest insurance premiums)
- Driving an expensive vehicle (these cost more to repair or replace, and can be greater targets for thieves)
How you can save money on car insurance
So what can you do to help bring those insurance rates down?
As it so happens, you might have more options than you think.
♦ Check, shop, and compare
If you’ve been with the same insurer for years, you might not know if you’re getting the best rate you can. About once a year, you should consider shopping around for cheap car insurance in Atlanta and see if you can get the same coverage for better rates.
♦ Choose your deductible
Setting a higher deductible means you will pay more out of pocket if you end up having to make a claim — but it will also mean lower premiums. If you have a good driving record and can swing it financially, consider upping your deductible on things like collision insurance.
♦ Review your coverage
Although it might seem strange, sometimes buying more coverage can save you money in the long term. Liability, for example, pays for any injury or property damage that are your fault — which means you definitely shouldn’t skimp on it. Conversely, there may be some coverage that you can safely jettison without much worry, such as rental reimbursement if you already have access to a second car while your other vehicle is awaiting repairs or replacement.
♦ Take advantage of discounts!
There are a lot of discounts out there that you may not know about, so don’t be afraid to ask your insurer about them. Some common examples include discounts for:
- Maintaining good grades (if you’re a student)
- Taking a defensive driving course
- Working in certain occupations, like healthcare
- Installing anti-theft or other safety equipment on your vehicle
- Bundling your auto insurance with your life, homeowners, or renters insurance
- Maintaining or achieving a good credit score
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