La. car insurance rates still high
In 2017, the state ranked second worst in Insure.com's comparison of rates with an average annual premium of
In 2010, 2012 and 2013 Louisiana was the most expensive state but improved in recent years.
Insure.com says nearly 14 percent of
About 40 percent of drivers carry the minimum car insurance limits required by state law, state Insurance Commissioner
"With a lot of 'working poor' in
Donelon said when insurers pay out more in claims, the cost is passed to motorists through higher premiums.
CHEAP CAR INSURANCE
Top 10 cheap car insurance companies in the state, according to WalletHub are:
1 -- ANPAC.
2 -- Unitrin.
7 --
3 --
4 -- Financial Indemnity.
5 -- Progressive.
6 -- Root.
7 --
8 --
9 -- Privilege Underwriters.
10 --
BEST INSURANCE BY DEMOGRAPHIC
Cheapest for Men: Unitrin.
Cheapest for Women: Financial Indemnity.
Cheapest for Young Drivers: Unitrin.
Cheapest for Families: Root.
Cheapest for Bad Drivers: Unitrin.
WALLETHUB'S KEY FINDINGS
--54 million Americans say they don't understand their car insurance.
--75 percent of drivers say they want the best car insurance, not the cheapest coverage.
--14 percent of people say they would not buy car insurance if not legally required (millennials are two times more likely than boomers to agree).
--71 percent of people say it's unfair for gender to be a factor in car insurance pricing, and 65 percent feel the same way about credit scores affecting car insurance costs.
--Car insurance is expensive. The average adult in the
--A lack of financial literacy also plays a major role in consumers' attitudes toward car insurance. Roughly 54 million people (22 percent of
Part of the reason for consumers' uncertainty is the confusing hodgepodge of insurance companies and regulations that are sufficient to make even a knowledgeable shopper's head spin.
"There are at least three areas in which the state in which you live will affect how much you pay for coverage,"
For starters, minimum coverage levels vary by state.
"Second, each state monitors, or regulates, the insurance industry in different ways," Heller said. "In some states, such as
The third reason, according to Heller, is that "states may have different risk profiles related to things like traffic density, road conditions and maintenance, weather and the cost of injury care and car repair."
This, along with a general lack of subject-matter understanding among consumers, may also help explain why 63 million people, or 25 percent of
There are also some trends in car insurance pricing that many consumers understand are happening but most do not agree with on the basis of fairness. For example, people with no credit pay an average of 67 percent more for car insurance than people with excellent credit. And two-thirds of WalletHub survey respondents believe it's unfair for credit scores to affect car insurance costs. Yet most drivers don't realize just how much of an impact their credit actually has.
Although just three states --
Car insurance companies also factor gender and geography into policy pricing. And while the intent may be similar, consumer opinions on the practices are not entirely consistent. More than 7 in 10 people say it's unfair to include gender in car insurance pricing, according to WalletHub's survey, but there's a 50-50 split regarding the use of zip codes. It may just be that gender and geography, particularly the latter, have a legitimate role in insurance pricing given their impact on risk.
A "combination of road design, speed limits, enforcement and driving culture," make it more risky to drive in some cities and states than others, said
Differences in weather patterns, traffic congestion and crime are key underlying factors, too.
"Often variations in rates are impacted by geography (and more specifically) weather," said
Other important considerations include "city size and traffic congestion (which can contribute to higher accident rates), demographic variations in the average age of a metro area (younger drivers and older adults can be associated with higher levels of risk), and crime (both vehicle theft and vandalism)."
There are several steps in particular that cost-conscious drivers can take to save on car insurance.
--Take advantage of discounts. You may be able to get discounts if you are a veteran, get paperless statements, have a good driving record, bundle policies, are a student or have an anti-theft system, for example.
--Build good credit. People with no credit pay 67 percent more than people with excellent credit on average.
--Drive safely. Safe drivers with no history of accidents, tickets or arrests can look forward to cheaper rates than people who haven't been as responsible.
--Look locally. Plenty of car insurance companies only cater to customers in certain regions or states. These local insurers may provide lower rates but are often overlooked. Make sure to include them in your comparison, at least.
--Choose a higher deductible. An insurer may lower your monthly rates in return for a lower deductible -- the amount you personally have to pay when you make a claim. This approach makes the most sense for infrequent drivers.
--Consider pay-per-mile plans. You don't always have to pay a set amount per month. There are also plans based on how much you drive. The insurance company will place a device in your car that tracks your mileage. It may also track things like your speed and braking, which could affect your rates positively if you're a safe driver and negatively if not.
Consumers are not the only ones with room for improvement, however. There are plenty of things state and local governments can also do to improve the car insurance landscape for their constituents.
"The most significant thing a state can do to promote inexpensive car insurance is require insurance companies to justify their rates and practices before they can raise prices on drivers," said
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(c)2019 The Houma Courier, La.
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