Los Angeles Auto Insurance Facts
Los Angeles insurance premiums are among the most expensive in the country. Average annual premiums top $3,000, much higher than the state average of just under $1,800. Why are Los Angeles insurance premiums higher than the rest of the nation? Consider the following facts regarding Los Angeles motorists.
- Los Angeles residents commute an average of 29.6 minutes to work every day and drive an average of 35 MPH.
- There were 257 fatal car crashes in the city of Los Angeles in 2007.
- A total of 716 people and 407 vehicles were involved in those crashes.
- Lastly, there were 23,524 auto thefts in the city of Los Angeles and surrounding areas in 2007.
What does all this mean to you, if you work and live in Los Angeles? The occurrence, frequency or potential of an accident and/or theft has an impact on your ability to get auto insurance at an affordable cost. Car accidents and thefts drive up insurance premiums. Becoming a safety-conscious driver can save you money in the long run and keep your insurance premiums low. Driving within the speed limit, wearing your safety belt and having your car equipped with air bags can save you money and save lives. Taking driving courses to keep your driving skills sharp can get you discounts on your auto insurance policy.
Being aware of where you park your car, especially at night, can reduce your chances of theft–and increased insurance costs. Your car may be inexpensive and small, but you will pay higher premiums if your car is a make and model that has a high theft rate. Los Angeles insurance companies take into account the theft rate for each make and model of vehicle they insure. You may be surprised to find that the 10 most stolen vehicles in the city of Los Angeles in 2008 were as follows:
- 1991 Honda Accord
- 1995 Honda Civic
- 1989 Toyota Camry
- 1994 Acura Integra
- 1994 Nissan Sentra
- 1988 Toyota Pickup
- 2004 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup
- 1995 Saturn SL
- 2007 Toyota Corolla
- 1997 Ford F150 Series
Lower insurance premiums are not a thing of the past once you have had a couple of accidents that landed you in the high-premium/high-risk category. If you keep your driving record clear of any further accidents and maintain timely payments and avoid cancellations or lapses in your coverage, your premiums will eventually decrease.
Get a free quote from a number of Los Angeles insurance providers even if you have coverage to see if you’re paying a competitive rate, or more than you should be, especially if you’ve had your car for a while. Regardless of your situation, your insurance premiums should decrease as the value of your car depreciates. If you’ve had your car for three years, and you’re still paying the same premium, it’s time to show your insurer the quotes you got from the other companies and see what your insurer is willing to do to keep your business. If the insurer insists you’re getting the best deal, consider making a change to one of the many other Los Angeles insurance agencies. Chances are your insurer will be glad to offer you a lower premium just to keep your business.
