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Safety Testing

One of the most important parts of making sure cars are family-safe is crash testing. These types of tests use the now-famous crash-test dummies, and simulate different types of car crashes including rollovers and front-and-side impact crashes. The crash tests have been responsible for identifying weak areas of a car’s structure that contribute to injuries and deaths in accidents. The continuous testing over the years has led to a dramatic and continuing decrease in the number of yearly auto accident fatalities over the past 40 years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety both perform crash tests. Frontal-impact testing, side-impact, rollover and airbag tests are some of the tests performed, and sophisticated crash test dummies containing accelerometers, motion sensors and load sensors take thousands of different measurements during a crash test. This data, along with data from other simulated crash conditions, helps spots weaknesses such as poor roof and side support structures, headrests that do not provide proper protection and the need for side airbags.

Who is Kelly Blue Book?

Kelly Blue Book, or KBB, is the nation’s largest company focused specifically on valuing vehicles. The company provides online information for new and used car values, as well as publishing the data in its well-known blue book publication. The company was founded in 1918, and for years has been the respected resource for used car values. In 2002, the company introduced the Fair Purchase Price on its website, kbb.com. This service follows new car transactions, averaging the prices actually paid by consumers. This resource helps car shoppers compare the manufacturer’s recommended sticker price, or MSRP, with the amounts actually paid by other consumers.

What are the Top 10 Highest Rated Family Cars

It depends on who you ask and there is no definitive list of the top 10 best rated family cars however there are certainly some which shine at the top of every list. Below are the Top 10 Highest Rated Family Cars according to Kelly Blue Book for 2010 ordered by overall roominess and the ability to accommodate passengers.

1. Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevy suburban has a huge amount of cargo space in the back, even when nine passengers are sitting comfortably inside. The car can also tow up to 9,600 pounds. The interior of the car has many amenities and the Suburban provides a very nice, comfortable ride that both drivers and passengers will enjoy.

2. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a very popular, sophisticated minivan. This car has a refined, sharply styled look and premium features inside and out to go with it. The Odyssey combines versatility with a great package of amenities that make it a pleasure to drive.

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3. Chevy Traverse

Chevy’s Traverse is the largest crossover vehicle on the road. It has even more space for cargo than its cousin, the Chevy Tahoe. The Traverse makes the list partly because of its better fuel economy. Its siblings, the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are also noteworthy, but the Traverse wins out because of its lower base price.

4. Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is a big favorite for many reasons. It fits up to seven passengers comfortably and drives nicer than some mid-size sedan cars. The car offers a nice list of add-on features, including several entertainment upgrades for the interior. The options list even includes a small refrigerator! The car has a V6 engine option, which KBB suggests checking out. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety considers the 2010 Flex a top safety pick in the Midsize SUV category.

5. Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback has a cult-like following, and the newer sport wagon just keeps getting better. The Outback maintains the look of a wagon, while adding many features of a crossover vehicle. For 2010, the Outback grew in length, width and added other features that make it especially well-suited for the family. With all-wheel-drive and 8.7 inches of clearance off the ground, the Outback can pretty much handle anything. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added this car to its 2010 top safety picks in the midsize cars category.

6. Chevy Equinox

The Equinox by Chevrolet is one of the standouts in the highly competitive and well-populated crossover category. The car provides true function in a beautiful form. Chevy’s Equinox provides a comfortable interior with upscale features, and bold styling on the car’s exterior. One of the best things about the Equinox? The four-cylinder model gets a whopping 32 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2010 Equinox won a spot on the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s top safety picks list for midsize SUVs.

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7. Honda Accord Crosstour

Honda’s 2010 Crosstour takes all of the great features from the Accord and enhances them with much more cargo room, thanks to the hatchback. The car has a powerful V6 engine and a generous passenger compartment. The styling is similar to the Accord, with a new updated look.

8. Ford Taurus

Ford’s full-size Taurus sedan has been around for a long time and keeps improving on its past success. The car’s exterior has transformed into a striking body style and the Taurus has also been enhanced with an extra-large trunk, roomy interior and a nimble drive that pleases both family and driver.

9. Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford’s new Fusion Hybrid is one of the top mid-size, fuel-efficient cars out there. The car is fully enhanced with Ford’s SYNC technology, providing voice-activated controls for the phone and your iPod. The Fusion gets up to 41 miles per gallon for highway driving, which makes it a great car for those family trips or long work commutes. The Ford Fusion also made the top safety picks list in 2010, after being evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

10. Hyundai Elantra Touring

The Elantra by Hyundai has the ability to satisfy a lot of families with its low base price, outstanding warranty coverage and long list of safety features. Add to that the car’s roomy interior, with flexible cargo space and good fuel efficiency, and you have one great family car.

While this may be the list of top rated family cars for 2010 many of today’s makes and models offer superior performance, safety features and value for comparable prices. When considering the purchase of any new car it’s important to research safety ratings and you can also look at the loss history of certain makes and models. A vehicle’s loss history is a measure of how many claims have been filed for a particular make or model and car insurance companies use this as indicator how to price car insurance rates. Most of the top 20 cheapest cars to insure are minivans and SUV’s due to their safety. How much is car insurance for your particular car? Compare car insurance quotes today from car insurance companies nationwide so you can have a true idea of your total monthly financial obligation for a new car.

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With women spending a lot more time driving, the effects have rippled through to changes in certain car models to accommodate the needs of women drivers, to auto repair shops upgrading their business style and environment to cater to women. Since statistics show women tend to drive more safely than men, more of them on the road may improve driver safety for everyone.

Differences between Women and Men Drivers

Men and women have different driving behaviors, which tends to affect their car choices, the number of accidents they are involved in, and the severity of the accidents. Women are less likely to drive when impaired by alcohol. They are also less likely to drive at night, or engage in other driving behaviors such as aggressive driving, that contribute to hazards on the road. When doing online research about cars, women tend to look for information on car financing, insurance costs and registration fees. Men spend much more time surfing online car auctions, looking at luxury vehicles, and spending time on car enthusiast sites and forums.

Top 9 Cars More Women than Men Buy

Women purchase 52.5% of all new cars, and influence the purchase of many more. Of all the car manufacturers selling vehicles in the United States, certain ones appeal more to women. This is especially true with the continued increase in gas prices towards $5 per gallon. The top 9 car models that have significantly more female buyers than male buyers are:

• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Volkswagen New Beetle
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Nissan Rogue
• Volvo V50 Wagon
• Volkswagen EOS
• Honda CR-V
• Nissan Sentra

Women’s Buying Criteria

Women take about 17 weeks on average to do their homework when looking into buying a new car. Men, on average, spend about three weeks less than that. Women spend time looking for cars that have performed well in crash and other safety tests, along with models that have a good maintenance history, since having a breakdown on a deserted road with small children in the car is something that every woman driver wants to avoid. Additionally, The car needs to be reliable and get good gas mileage. For women who stay home to raise children, a tight schedule of events that depend on shuttling children around constantly can cost quite a bit in terms of gas. Women are also willing to work at finding all those features in a new car for a bargain price. Men, on the other hand, put power and performance as the most important things to look for in a new car, and men who need to drive clients around focus more on luxury sedans that put forth a prosperous image.

Car-Buying Tips for Women

A few key tips can help women be well-prepared to go into a dealership and walk out with the perfect car.

• Be clear on options, the car model you want and your budget before going to the dealership. Stand firm on what you want and learn to laugh at the hard-sell tactics of pushy salespeople.
• Check for new car buying guides and magazines at the local library or online and make note of relevant details, reviews, options, sticker prices and invoice prices. Dealers prey on any buyer who is not fully informed.
• Start comparison shopping before leaving home. Use Auto Trader and other online sites to price cars before going to a dealership in person.
• Know the dealer’s invoice for the car you want. Be prepared to negotiate with the salesperson, and shop toward the end of the month when salespeople need to meet their sales quota. Dealers have between 10% and 20% leeway you can negotiate with over the invoice price.
• Get financing ahead of time from a credit union or bank, since rates will most likely be more competitive than the dealer’s rates. Many dealers do not treat cash or credit any differently, so stay focused on getting the lowest price possible regardless of how the car is paid for.
• Consider ordering the exact car you want, with only the options you need. This may help keep the car’s price down, and if the dealer has a better car on the lot and wants to make a sale that day, he may be willing to come down on the price.

Nuts and Bolts

People usually think it is men who take care of all the car maintenance. However, according to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, women have been taking over the responsibility for maintaining vehicles. More than 65% of car owners taking their vehicles in for service are women, and women end up spending about $300 billion each year on car on used car purchases, maintenance and repairs.

Used Luxury Cars?

A new trend is developing, with more women buying used luxury cars. Women are more cost-conscious than men when it comes to their vehicles, and they prefer to let someone else pay for the first year or two of depreciation on a luxury car. Women do so much research on car purchases, and combined with a little help from Carfax reports and certified pre-owned vehicles, buying a used luxury car for a bargain price has never been easier.

Changing Times

Women are becoming more of a driving force in the automotive industry. Women prefer to have many more details when shopping for a car than men do, and almost half of the visits to car-buying websites these days come from women investigating potential car purchases.

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Nobody wants to be stranded on the side of a highway or have their trip thwarted as a result of poor planning. Don’t leave anything to chance when venturing off, as overlooking something can have an enormous impact on the entire experience. Talking with a trusted car dealership can provide plenty of tips and advice for your particular make and model.

Preparing the Vehicle

If it’s been longer than six months since your last tune-up, schedule a vehicle maintenance appointment before hitting the road. A professional will know what to look for, but be sure to have the following items checked to ensure optimum performance and safety:

• Fluids filled and filters checked
• Tire tread and proper inflation (as well as a spare in the trunk)
• Hoses and belts for loose connections or leaks
• Brakes
• Headlights and turn signals
• Battery;
• Cooling/Heating systems
• Wipers (bring a spare pair to change if they’re getting old)
• Gauges
• Alternator
• Spark plug wires

Prepping for the Trip

Travelling alone carries its own considerations, and you will need to prepare for being self sufficient in any situation. Whether travelling solo or not, making the effort to be prepared could make all the difference.

• Plan and research your route beforehand rather than getting caught by surprise in construction zones, detours, and weather fronts. Keep current with traffic construction and weather websites.
• Alert loved ones you know of your departure, travel route, and estimated time of arrival and return.
• Avoid posting on Facebook that you are out of town; sharing this with all your ‘friends’ is a good way to advertize no one is home.
• Stock up on extra food and water, medicines and supplies, blankets, flashlights and a survival kit.
• Stay connected by bringing your cell phone, and a GPS to avoid getting lost.
• Have cash on hand in case of the need for a tow, food or supplies etc.
• Prepare for being able to change a tire, by having a spare, a jack and a wrench. If needed, brush up on your knowledge of how to change one.
• Pack a few extra supplies, such as tire sealant, a role of electrical tape, and tools such as a screwdriver and pliers.

While on the Road

• Maintain clean windows and headlights; dirty windows can increase glare and dirty headlights can reduce their effectiveness by 50% or more.
• Turn your headlights on one hour before sunset and after sunrise to make it easier for others to see you in the tricky lighting of twilight and early dawn.
• Avoid long trips of night driving when tired, as darkness is the natural time for drowsiness to set in. To stay alert, keep the window open for fresh air, play upbeat music, take breaks or brisk walks, or have a caffeinated beverage to keep your edge.
• When driving at night, peripheral vision is compromised so keep your eyes scanning the road side, corners and intersections for oncoming cars, pedestrians in dark clothing, objects on the road and animals suddenly crossing.
• Take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and clear your head.

A few precautions can help ensure a safe road trip for everyone. Get out and enjoy the journey!

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This is a guest post from Anne Fleming of Women-Drivers.com™, the #1 resource for women drivers connecting them to Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ car dealerships nationwide. Don’t buy your next car without checking this site out and learn more about Her & His Car reviews, dealer reviews, and all the educational tips and tools you need for an informed purchase to get the best deal. Visit Women-Drivers and download your free copy of Women’s No Stress Guide to Buying a Car.

With more women than ever before making independent vehicle purchases, no longer does buying a used car have to be intimidating. Preparing yourself beforehand will help considerably, to ensure you are getting the most value for your hard earned money with a used car.

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Women Negotiating with Car Dealers

It’s helpful to conduct your initial research online with car dealership ratings and dealer reviews, which reveal the experiences of other women like you. There are many resources geared towards women with car tips and car guides, so take advantage of what’s available for the best car dealers for women. Consider after your process is complete to then rate your dealer and write your own review, for the benefit of others.

Don’t do business with a salesperson that is pushy, disrespectful or intimidating. An increasing number of top car dealers understand the purchasing power of women, and will treat them with respect and fairness. If you experience otherwise, take your business elsewhere.

So how can you ensure you will get the best value for your money? There are things to consider beforehand, and questions to ask when on the dealer’s lot:

1. Ask to see the mechanic’s certification inspection and paperwork documenting what needed to be fixed, which could indicate possible problems down the road. Know what extent of upgrades the dealership already had to do, such as a minor tune-up or a complete overhaul, which will indicate the value you’re getting and whether it will need more servicing soon.
2. Ask for information about the previous owner(s), along with seeing the maintenance receipts which could reveal how it was treated.
3. Ensure you are allowed a long period to test drive it, with even an overnight extension. You can put down in writing that you won’t exceed a certain mileage, will fill up the tank and leave your phone number and address for security.
4. If you’re in the position of being able to pay cash and avoid financing, ask what the cash price is, as paying cash will likely get you a lowered price of approximately 5%.
5. If financing is required, ask what kind of deal they would give you for processing it with them rather than a bank. Ensure the rate they offer is on par or lower than what your bank would offer, so do your homework on this beforehand.
6. Ask if any extra equipment or supplies would come with the purchase price; such as several bottles of engine oil and washer fluid, or new tires, 5 free car washes or a free tune-up after 6 months etc.
7. Inquire whether the original warranty is transferable, or what the options are of an extended warranty with this dealership.
8. If you want to avoid the hassle of trying to sell your old car, confirm whether the dealership will take your current vehicle on a trade in, which will free you up from handling what could be a lengthy and arduous process. Ensure you know its value.

With all of these factors in mind, here a few tips in negotiating the price of the used vehicle:

• Stay quiet about your target price when initially talking with any dealer. This will avoid setting a number which the dealership may not go below. Allow them to discuss the lowest price first.
• Don’t hurry into buying; take the time to talk with multiple car dealerships. Either in person, by phone or email, negotiating with several dealers will ensure healthy competition resulting in a lower price.
• Exercise your option of negotiating from home rather than in person at the dealership. This will allow you to easily and more comfortably compare offers and choose the best one for you.

So rather than a “let’s get this over with” mindset, take your time and enjoy the process of buying your used car the smart way.

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About Women-Drivers.com™

Now women are more empowered thanks to the #1 resource that connects them to Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ car dealerships in the United States. Don’t buy your next car without checking this site out and learn more about Her & His Car reviews, dealer reviews, and all the educational tips and tools you need for an informed purchase to get the best deal. Visit Women-Drivers and download your free copy of Women’s No Stress Guide to Buying a Car.

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How to confidently engage with car dealerships is a process that involves a bit of due diligence and an enterprising spirit. After you’ve researched consumer reports and reviews for the type of vehicle for your lifestyle and budget, the next considerations are where to find a trusted car dealership and strategizing your negotiating tactics. Some factors to consider include:

Research for the Top Car Dealerships: Searching for the best dealer in your area is likely just a few clicks away. For the advantages of working with top certified women friendly car dealers, visit online consumer rating sites to search which dealers are certified, reviews on consumer’s purchasing experiences and car tips for women.

Don’t Reveal Your Target Price: Stay quiet about your price range when initially talking with a dealer, as this will avoid setting a number which the dealer may not go below. Allow them to discuss the lowest price first than work from there.

Know the Best Time to Shop: Negotiate towards the end of the month or the end of the year, when salesmen are striving to reach their quotas. Late summer and autumn are when new models are revealed, and dealerships are more willing to negotiate better deals on previous years’ models.

Take it on the Road: Don’t skimp on the test drive, but take it out into your typical conditions for a lengthy time. Ask if you can keep it overnight and involve the family for their input.

Negotiating Your Trade-In: To ensure top value for your trade-in, keep the value of your old vehicle out of the negotiation process until the price of the new car is settled. Negotiate them separately with the trade-in as one component, and the new car price as another. For the highest appraisal of your trade-in, provide any service receipts and have it in clean condition. Provide a printed copy of its estimate or appraisal to the dealership when you settle the final deal. Dealers in most states will give you a credit for the value of your trade-in when determining the purchase price for sales tax calculations, which can result in substantial savings.

Get the Best Financing: To save hundreds or more on the life of your loan, it’s worth shopping for competitive financing offers. Obtain several pre-approved loans first to present to your dealership so you know who’ll provide the lowest costs. Also, your credit score will impact your interest rate, and a score between 720 and 850 will secure you the best rate.

Costs over Time: Be sure you are buying a car that suits your lifestyle and that you can genuinely afford, keeping in mind you will make payments for 3 to 5 years. Confirm with your insurance agent beforehand on the costs and any possible savings for its safety features.

Did you Know You can Shop and Negotiate Online?

A common practice is to request quotes from the Internet Sales Manager through dealer’s websites. Or instead of contacting various dealers separately, free online services such as Edmunds or CarDirect will send your request to multiple dealerships at once. With different pricing quotes usually within 24 hours, you have the upper hand to then work with the lowest priced dealer. Saving time and energy; this will fast-track the process with less intimidation or sales tactics.

There are more resources than ever to assist women to get the best deal when independently buying a new car. Top women friendly car dealerships add value to the entire purchasing experience and are a trusted go-to source of information and support with a new vehicle purchase for you and your family.

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About Women-Drivers.com™

Now women are more empowered thanks to the #1 resource that connects them to Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ car dealerships in the United States. Don’t buy your next car without checking this site out and learn more about Her & His Car reviews, dealer reviews, and all the educational tips and tools you need for an informed purchase to get the best deal. Visit Women-Drivers and download your free copy of Women’s No Stress Guide to Buying a Car.

But there is cause for a parent’s concern. The alarming statistics show that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, taking the lives of eight teens a day.  The highest risk group of being in a car accident are drivers aged 16 to 19, and this risk is much higher during the first year teenagers are on the road.

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Why Are Teens More Accident Prone Behind the Wheel?

With the combination of high energy, risk taking and less experience, studies show teenagers tend to underestimate hazardous driving conditions, are overconfident and are less able than older drivers to recognize a dangerous situation. They are also more likely to speed, tailgate and not use their seatbelt. Along with the increasing distractions of modern technology in vehicles, the result is many parents feeling anxious when they’re teenager pulls out of the driveway.

Studies show that it only takes a distraction of four seconds to cause an accident. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines distracted driving in three categories:

Visual – taking your eyes off the road; Manual – taking your hands off the wheel; and Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing. With more distractions in today’s cars constantly pulling attention off the road, it’s little wonder several state governments have passed legislation that prohibits texting while driving, and others are reviewing legislation that will make it illegal to use hand-held devices.

What Can Parents Do?

A parent’s own recklessness or caution behind the wheel will be observed from an early age, like many of your other behaviours. Appreciate the impact your own driving has on your teenager, from the years leading up to 16. Be observant and diligent to practice safe driving habits, and start talking to your child about driving techniques when they’re young.

• Invest in professional lessons so they’ll learn defensive techniques and safe habits from a respected expert other than their parents, who they might tune out.
• Provide driving lessons from both parents in addition to formal lessons, as an important opportunity for aligning the teen’s driving habits to their expectations and family rules. It also gives the parent an opportunity to assess their teen’s ability and skills.
• The average U.S. teen now processes hundreds of texts per month. Do not allow the use of cell phones or texting while your teen is driving. This can be enforced with a written agreement and consequences clearly stated. Further restrictions can simply be the teen having to leave their tech devices at home when they take the car.
• Hit home the message of dangerous driving with online resources and campaigns. Concerned parents have a lot of help if they utilize what’s already available such as the national “Parents are the Key Campaign” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which informs parents about the key role they can, and should play in protecting their teen drivers.
• Don’t allow other teen passengers in the car with them until you feel confident, and then keep the number of passengers restricted to one at a time.
• Teach your teen how to handle stormy and winter driving conditions, such as how to get out of a skid and handling driving in snow. Empty parking lots and quiet roads are ideal for practice.
• Show them how to be on the diligent lookout for pedestrians, cyclists and animals by scanning the road, shoulder checking and using their mirrors.
• Coach them on the maintenance of vehicles, such as tire care and proper inflation, regular maintenance, showing them the auto manual and basic mechanics, so they feel confident.

Instilling safe driving habits in your teen is beneficial for everyone on the road, and will help you rest a bit easier.

This is a guest post from Anne Fleming of Women-Drivers.com™

Now women are more empowered thanks to the #1 resource that connects them to Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ car dealerships in the United States. Don’t buy your next car without checking this site out and learn more about Her & His Car reviews, dealer reviews, and all the educational tips and tools you need for an informed purchase to get the best deal. Visit Women-Drivers and download your free copy of Women’s No Stress Guide to Buying a Car.

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Some Statistics

Surveys and statistics are starting to collect data regarding drivers and texting. So far the data show that, even with new laws and public awareness campaigns, drivers continue to use texting and other capabilities of mobile phones while operating vehicles. This includes e-mailing and Internet browsing as well. One study indicated that 81 percent of people driving on the roads use their mobile phones while at the wheel. According to a recent survey performed by AAA, one in seven people admitted they texted while operating a vehicle. In another study, performed by Safe Kids USA, results showed one in six persons driving vehicles in a school zone were visibly distracted due to the use of a cell phone for either texting or talking. Additionally, AAA recently collaborated with Seventeen magazine to perform a survey among teenage drivers. Turns out, about 86 percent, or almost 9 out of 10 teenagers admitted that they drive while distracted.

States are starting to pass laws making it illegal to text while driving. Many states collect vehicle crash data caused by distractions related specifically to mobile phone or other electronic equipment use. This is tracked on accident forms filed by the police. The federal government is encouraging remaining states to follow suit by requiring them to collect the same type of data in order to obtain certain types of federal funding.

Following are some statistics regarding states that have implemented cell phone and texting laws, from the Governors Highway Safety Association website. As of March 2011, 28 states plus the District of Columbia have banned all cell phones for novice drivers under 18 years of age. Eight states plus the District of Colombia and the Virgin Islands ban handheld units altogether while driving, for all drivers. Text messaging is banned in 30 states as well as District of Columbia and Guam, for all drivers. Currently, 34 states plus the District of Columbia and Virgin Islands collect data on crashes caused by distracted drivers.

Dangers of texting while operating a vehicle

According to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting is the most dangerous of all cell phone-related activities. This includes dialing, talking or reaching for a phone. Teenage drivers are four times as likely to get involved in a car crash or near crash than adults, due to texting or cell phone conversations. Car drivers dialing phone numbers on a cell phone have a 2.8 times higher chance of being involved in a crash than a driver who is not distracted.

One of the frightening statistics about drivers texting while operating their vehicles is the fact that truck drivers are doing it as well, and a large truck has the potential to cause very large accidents. In fact, truck drivers who text while driving are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a driving accident than truckers who pay full attention to their driving.

What does this mean for Car Insurance?

Car insurance rates are based on a variety of factors, which vary depending on an individual driver’s situtaion. Some factors count more than others, but one of the more important factors that has the potential to increase car insurance prices is an individual’s driving record. One point for a minor speeding ticket is enough to cause auto insurance to increase significantly in price, and that point will stay on a driver’s record for three years.

Drivers may think they are safe from tickets because they drive the speed limit and do not roll through stop signs, run red lights or make illegal lane changes. However, as more states continue to outlaw texting while driving, or cell phone and handheld device use altogether, drivers may get additional points on their record for this new class of moving violations.

Unfortunately, as accidents increase and more insurance companies have to pay out, overall premiums go up for everyone. As more data involving the use of cell phones or other texting handheld devices has become more readily available, it is continuing to prove that cell phone and handheld device-use while driving is risky business for drivers. Insurance companies are aware of this, since it is their business to understand every risk involved with driving, and they perform statistical calculations on the likelihood of an accident in every scenario possible.

In 2009, almost 5,500 drivers were killed in the United States due to crashes involving distracted driving. Another 448,000 drivers or passengers sustained injuries. In 2007, cell phone use and text messaging among 16-to-17 year old drivers contributed to almost 1,000 crashes.

The statistics on crashes due to distracted driving encompass more than just texting or cell phone use; however, texting and cell phone use does cause a percentage of these types of accidents, and that percentage continues to grow. As more states provide data on the specific cause of crashes, and whether they involved texting or cell-phone use, the data will paint a clearer picture of the full amount of risk involved in driving while texting or otherwise using a mobile device, and chances are the numbers will only get worse.

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Car insurance rates average around $800 to $2,000 annually for most drivers with women drivers paying much less than male drivers however the answer to “how much is car insurance per month” is not as clear cut as you may think. Some of the most influential factors in your application for car insurance include;

Where you Live

Where you live and where the car is registered play a very critical part in calculating car insurance rates. While most states have very competitive markets for car insurance there are also unique laws which apply to certain areas that pose a substantially higher or lower risk to car insurance companies. Drivers in Florida typically pay around the national average while residents of Louisiana and Michigan can pay almost 200% more than a driver with the same profile living in Ohio, Vermont or Maine.

Your Credit Score

Credit scores play a big role in car insurance and drivers with bad credit often get quoted higher rates or sometimes even denied coverage. The natural emotional correlation to credit scores and car insurance have many drivers assume credit scores have nothing to do with car insurance however statistically it has been proven that drivers with poor credit tend to file more claims. It actually makes sense logically if you think about it. People with bad credit often have less access to credit, limited funds in the bank and the only way to get minor damage repaired is to make a claim.

Before shopping for car insurance always pull a copy of your credit report (and score) to identify any errors and start correcting them. This is something you should do annually anyway regardless if you need car insurance or not. Credit scores impact a lot in our lives and you always want to make sure an accurate report is on file.

Your Driving Record

Good drivers benefit the most and many car insurance companies offer substantial discounts for good drivers. However you want to pay close attention to car insurance companies with “accident forgiveness waivers” as without this type of one time waiver even a minor accident can suddenly increase your car insurance rates by 100% or more. Even the best drivers can be involved in a car accident but with a single accident forgiveness waiver as part of your policy you have some protection against higher premiums.

If you happen to love speed or have a DUI conviction even the best smile won’t get you far with car insurance companies. Any driver convicted of a DUI or speeding tickets will be classified as high risk. While a speeding ticket or 2 may not disqualify you for coverage a DUI will limit your options as many car insurance companies will just deny you coverage. High risk car insurance is much more expensive than typical insurance with premiums often 200% or higher with much less coverage.

The Type of Car Insured

Auto insurance is also based on the make and model of the car. Vehicles with airbags, anti-lock brakes and other factory installed safety equipment can lower the risk of injury in an accident (hence lower the risk of a claim) and vehicles with anti-theft devices, LOJACK tracking and other theft deterrent systems also provide value to the risk model. While most typical priced cars fall within the same range of risk you always want to check with your car insurance company about the cost of car insurance for a particular model well ahead of purchasing the vehicle. Sometimes a simple change to a higher model or comparable vehicle can increase your premiums and its wise to understand your total financial obligation before committing to a car loan.

Other factors such as your age, how many drivers live in the household, how the vehicle will be used and other factors make up a smaller portion of the risk calculation but for most drivers these 4 items will have the biggest impact on your car insurance rates.

Women drivers have many options for car insurance and the best way to find the most affordable rates is with a car insurance comparison search so shop around and try to compare at least five or six companies before settling on a provider.

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