Auto FAQs

How are auto insurance rates determined?

Insurance companies must balance rates with the cost to cover claims. Factors that may affect your policy are:

• Accident history
• Vehicle make and model
• Vehicle usage
• Your age and eligibility for discounts
• Driving record
• Annual mileage
• Your credit-based insurance score

Auto insurance rates vary by state, too. Rates in any given state are based in part on historical claim frequency and repair costs for car accidents or theft, as well as other factors such as the cost of medical care. Within a state, some territories have higher rates than others.

Why are auto insurance rates rising?

Insurance companies pay claims using the money collected from their policyholders. Higher auto repair costs, higher medical bills, and costlier auto accident lawsuits have made claims more costly to settle.

Robertson Insurance does all it can to control expenses and offer low rates, but as the costs increase for goods and services, premiums must be raised to cover those expenses. Premiums could also increase on individual policies because additional drivers are added, there is a change in the autos insured, or an accident or violation results in the loss of a discount. Robertson Insurance is committed to keeping your auto rates as low as possible through fiscal responsibility and disciplined underwriting practices. Robertson further lowers your rates through numerous discounts.

Why does Robertson Insurance use insurance scoring?

Robertson Insurance uses credit information to help predict a policyholder or prospective policyholder’s propensity for future loss. Many independent studies have shown that there is a distinct and consistent decline in risk of loss as an individual’s insurance score improves. Therefore, the more favorable an individual’s insurance score, the less likely the policyholder is to experience a loss, and vice versa.

Is my premium based entirely on my insurance score?

No. Both auto and homeowner’s premiums are based on factors other than credit history. Your auto insurance premium is based on criteria such as your driving record, the type of car you drive, how far you drive, etc. Your homeowner’s premium considers factors such as the cost to replace your home in the event of a loss and the distance to the closest fire department. Because Robertson Insurance uses insurance scoring as one of our underwriting and pricing tools, we can offer lower premiums to customers who are deemed less likely to experience losses. Insurance scoring helps make insurance available to more consumers at a fair price. Like all insurers, Robertson Insurance cannot deny an applicant insurance coverage based solely on an insurance score.

Can my agent tell me my insurance score?

No. In fact, your agent doesn’t even know your score. Instead, your agent only knows whether your score, in conjunction with other factors, makes you eligible for a particular rate or class within Robertson Insurance.

What can I do to help lower my auto rates?

There are a number of ways you can help your insurance rate stay low. First, steer clear of traffic incidents such as tickets, towing, or other vehicle violations. Of course, being a responsible driver at all times definitely helps – being a defensive driver helps you stay clear of accidents. An accident-free driving history will help your rates stay low. Finally, keep a pulse on your credit score and your credit history. Paying all of your bills (not just your auto insurance payments) on time will increase your credit worthiness and prove to your auto insurer that you are creditworthy, resulting in lower rates.

Can I drive legally without insurance?

NO! Almost every state requires you to have auto liability insurance. All states also have financial responsibility laws. This means that even in a state that does not require liability insurance; you need to have sufficient assets to pay claims if you cause an accident. If you don’t have enough assets, you must purchase at least the state’s minimum amount of insurance. But insurance exists to protect your assets. Trying to see how little you can get by with can be very shortsighted and dangerous. The insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident since accidents may cost far more than the minimum limits mandated by most states.

If you've financed your car, your lender may require comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the loan agreement.

My teenaged daughter just got her license. How do I get her car insurance?

As soon as your teenager begins to drive, notify your insurance agent that there will be an additional driver in the house. Since teenagers are inexperienced drivers, they tend to get into a lot of accidents. This will, unfortunately, be reflected in higher insurance rates. If you have a daughter, you can expect your insurance to go up as much as 50%. A son will increase your car insurance by as much as 100%. Consider also raising liability limits or buying an umbrella liability policy for additional protection.