Question:
I am in the process of moving to Orlando, Fla. Is there a way to
determine what part of town is cheaper than another for
insurance? Also, when applying for my new policy, do I need
to list an old accident and ticket? Can they find out about
it since it was out of state?
Answer:
In general, when moving to a city, you'll find that outlying
suburban areas will be less expensive for auto insurance than the
metropolitan areas, such the heart of downtown. The difference
between them can be several hundred dollars a year.
Car insurance providers use statistics about different areas or
"territories" as a way to help determine rates. (See "
How your ZIP code drives up your car insurance
")
If one area of Orlando
has higher occurrences of hit-and-run accidents,
fraudulent injury claims
(Florida is a
no-fault state
), accidents, vandalism or theft, than car insurance rates will
normally be more expensive since auto insurers will see insuring
you, and your vehicle, in this area as a higher risk.
We've got the perfect way to help you see how rates differ
across the Orlando area. Our Nosy Neighbor Car Insurance Tool
allows you to put in a ZIP code for any state in the U.S. and see
the average rate in that area. Then, by click on surrounding
ZIP codes you can see how the rates vary in different parts of a
city.
For instance, if you put the ZIP code of 32805 for Orlando you'd
see that the average rate given is $1,550. If you go south
toward Kissimmee near Disney World, rates drop but only to $1,411
because that is a congested tourist area. And if you head
north of Orlando to the suburban area of Lake Mary, rates go down
to $1,245.
Whether you are moving out of state, within the same state or
just to a different area of town, our ZIP code tool can help you
see how living in a different area can really have a huge effect on
what you pay for auto insurance.
Viewing average rates in ZIP codes will help paint a picture of
what areas of town may be the most affordable; however, auto
insurance companies use much of their own information when
calculating their risk factors. Thus, premiums can vary from
one insurer to the next even within the same ZIP code, making it
crucial to shop around with multiple car insurance companies when
looking for your new policy.
When applying for a new car insurance policy, you will indeed
need to list any accidents or tickets that are within the time
frame that the insurance company is asking about (typically three
to five years), even if the incident is from your former state,
since for new residents insurers will usually
check your driving record from your previous
state.
An auto insurer will also check your claims history. It
will show accidents and claims filed for the last seven years, no
matter where the incidents took place since this is a nationwide
record.
If you fail to list on an auto insurance application any
accident or traffic violation conviction for the time period asked
about, then your rate quote isn't going to be accurate.
Your misrepresentation about your record may make a
company not want to insure you or send you a notice for an
additional premium for you to pay in order to keep your policy
intact.