Each company will make use of their own group of underwriters, this is why going to different insurers will usually result in a number of different quotes. There are a number of different factors that will affect the premium you pay, one of these being who will be driving the car. This factor is an important one as each individual added to the policy will come with their own risk levels, for example the risks associated with a 64 year old woman will greatly differ from that of a newly qualified 19 year old driver. With that in mind a 64 your old woman looking to get insurance for her ford fiesta should expect to pay significantly more if she is looking to add her 17 year old grandson to her policy.

Similarly a 17 year old looking to get car insurance will pay significantly less if he lived with his 64 year old grandma and was added to her insurance policy as opposed to taking one out in his name alone. For those who are over 50 looking to get insurance it is wise to keep in mind that while it may save your family members a few pounds to piggy back your insurance policy it will cost you that bit more.

Not only does it matter who drives the car but the actual car itself will heavily influence the price of your premium. For young drivers especially it is important to take the time to choose the right vehicle and not simply shell out for the ‘pimped’ out ride because of the way it looks or ‘handles’ itself on the road. Modified cars may be popular but they come with an increased price tag to your car insurance premium. The reason for this, is that by modifying the vehicle you are altering its ‘optimum’ performance as stipulated by the manufacturers thus nullifying any warranties extended by the makers.

Similarly by changing the specifications of a car, insurance underwriters are quite literally thrust into unchartered waters as they will have no specific data on how your car handles, what its particular vulnerabilities are nor its strengths. In the event of an accident will the modifications to the vehicle act as a disastrous catalyst, speeding up any negative repercussions? Will the shell of the vehicle crumble like a piece of paper because the installing of the rear spoiler weakened the entire structure of the vehicle making it more susceptible to fold under any kind of pressure?

As these answers cannot be answered unless the modifications were carried out by the manufacturer prior to your purchase, the underwriters are left with no option but to assume the worst and thus charge you accordingly. By taking note of the way underwriter calculate your risk levels, if you want to lower your car insurance costs you can take the time to choose a vehicle that does not come with additional risks that will invariably bump up your premium’s price.