Car Insurance Premium too high? (Houston, Dallas: apartment, credit card, loan)

[phanicon]

I live in Irving and I am paying a premium of 580$/6 months for my acura tsx 2012 with all the state minimums and 500$ deductibles with Esurance. I shopped around and actually got higher quotes compared to this. I do not have any tickets/accidents in the past.
While talking to my cousin who lives in Carrollton, he said he is paying around 320$/6 months with Geico for his 2 cars (acura mdx 2011 and altima ~ 2005) with more than state minimums and 500$ deductibles. Geico gave me a quote of 1000$/6 months.How come there is so much difference even though he has 2 cars. I know insurance rates depends on many factors like car, location, claims, etc., Am I paying too much or is it normal?

[TGentry]

I have Geico, and my premium for 2 newer cars/2 drivers with $500,000 liability is around $360/6 months total for both cars.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

How old are you, have any tickets, have a bankruptcy, have a steady job? All can affect cost.

[wj_0221]

I think it has related to prices differences in different counties. I moved from Collin County to Dallas County last year and my same car insurance increased $100 per year.

[dallas_cowboy]

car insurance premium has many factors which contribute towards higher or lower insurance quotes:
1. Young drivers are more risky to cause an accident compare to old people. So Young people pay more on insurance for the same coverage.
2. Apartment community is more risky to cause an accident / theft compare to a car parked in your own covered garage in house.
3. Different city/county have different accident/theft ratios, so quotes will vary when city/county is changed.
4. A driver with more number of clean driving years record pays less than an adult with less number of clean driving record. (Think it as in terms of credit score. Higher score opens up more credit card / loan options with better rates compare to a lower credit score)
5. A person with a college degree (BS, MS, PHD) gets better discount on premium compare to high school graduate.

On top of that any driving ticket or accidents in past few years cause an increase in premium.

These are main factors when calculating premium. Hope this helps!

[dallas_cowboy]

Originally Posted by wj_0221

I think it has related to prices differences in different counties. I moved from Collin County to Dallas County last year and my same car insurance increased $100 per year.

Agreed! I did the other way around early this year and did see rates going down on my auto insurance.

[smdebnam]

I live in Irving also. I was a client of State Farm paying $540.00 for 6 months on a 2007 Acura RDX. A month ago I switched to Farmer's and am now paying $315.00 for 6 months. Same coverage. I had been with State Farm for 22 years so it was time for me to price shop. While I think you should keep looking for a better deal I agree with others that there are lots of factors involved that contribute to cost variances.

Good luck finding a better deal!

[Rakin]

The joys of living in Dallas County.

It and Harris County (Houston) have the highest car, health, ect premiums in TX.
The odds you get smacked by a car is higher here than in other counties.

You also get to pay a Parkland Hospital tax.
The other counties don't and their poor get treated there for free.

Life ain't fair.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by phanicon

I live in Irving and I am paying a premium of 580$/6 months for my acura tsx 2012 with all the state minimums and 500$ deductibles with Esurance. I shopped around and actually got higher quotes compared to this. I do not have any tickets/accidents in the past.
While talking to my cousin who lives in Carrollton, he said he is paying around 320$/6 months with Geico for his 2 cars (acura mdx 2011 and altima ~ 2005) with more than state minimums and 500$ deductibles. Geico gave me a quote of 1000$/6 months.How come there is so much difference even though he has 2 cars. I know insurance rates depends on many factors like car, location, claims, etc., Am I paying too much or is it normal?

1. I'd advise you and everyone else to never only carry the state minimums. It's a great way to get sued and lose if you are ever at fault or partially at fault and the other guy owns a nice car.

2. What county do you live in?

[Ansonyuhas]

Originally Posted by EDS_

1. I'd advise you and everyone else to never only carry the state minimums. It's a great way to get sued and lose if you are ever at fault or partially at fault and the other guy owns a nice car.

2. What county do you live in?

Agree with this comment. Having state minimums is irresponsible and leaves you susceptible to lawsuits for even a minor accident.

As for rates, there are so many variables considered and weighted differently by each carrier. Credit, claims history, location, homeowner or renter, longevity with prior carrier, education level, occupation, age, marital status, prior liability limits, and that's just off the top of my head.