Your Zip Code and Your Auto Insurance Premium: How Where You Live Impacts How Much You Pay

Your Zip Code and Your Auto Insurance Premium: How Where You Live Impacts How Much You Pay
By Lori Mandell

If you move from the suburbs to the city, from one side of town to the other, or even a few blocks away, better check your policy at renewal time.  Although several factors affect your car insurance premium, one of the hot issues in the past few years has been the relationship between your premium and your zip code.

What Auto Insurance Actually Covers: Does Car Insurance Cover the Car, the Car’s Driver, or the Car’s Owner?

What Auto Insurance Actually Covers: Does Car Insurance Cover the Car, the Car’s Driver, or the Car’s Owner?
By Lori Mandell

In general, when you purchase auto insurance, you are buying it to cover the car, not the person who is driving it.  If the car is involved in an accident, you’re covered.  If you are injured in that car, you’re covered.  If someone else is injured in that car, he or she is covered.  If someone is injured by that car, there is coverage.  There are some gray areas, but this is the general rule. 

Then what’s the driver got to do with it?