There are lots of reasons why high risk drivers pay more for their car insurance, but not all of them are related to driving records. If you have been classified as a high risk driver tere may be some things you can do to lower your classification and your premiums.

In addition to your driving record, your sex, age, marital status, credit history, and automobile are all factors which insurance companies use in determining your risk category before giving you car insurance. Some things, like your age and gender, are what they are, and in the eyes of the car insurance companies, the ideal driver is between the ages of 50 and 65. If you are less than 25, you will be penalized with a higher risk rating.

The Things You can Change

While you can't control your age or gender, you can control what shows up on your driving record, and if you have accidents or moving violations you will be assigned higher premiums. Your car insurance company may consider the past ten years of your driving history, but if your record has improved over time, your premiums should as well.

Your insurance company will also monitor the make, model, and year of your vehicles, as well as the number of accident claims you have made when determining your car insurance rates, and surprisingly, you will be charged much less for having an old VW than a new Toyota, even though the new vehicle may be loaded with the latest safety features. This is because a new car is more likely to be targeted by thieves, and because the Blue Book value on an old one, which is what you will be paid if the car insurance company decides to total it instead of paying damage claim, will be low.

If your job requires you to spend a lot of item behind the wheel, you will pay more for car insurance, but if you have a college degree instead of just a high school diploma, you will pay less.

If your credit history reveals that you take your financial responsibilities seriously, you will be rewarded with a lower insurance risk, but if you have a spotty credit history, you should do what you can to clean it up. Car insurance companies regard your credit history as great indications of how responsibly you drive and how often you are likely to file an insurance claim.

Helping Yourself

If you are someone who has all the qualities of a high risk driver, you can do things to help yourself. First, complete a safe driving course. Take some time to turn get your credit history back on track, and learn some defensive driving habits. If your car is tagged for high premiums, think about finding one less attractive to thieves or with less of a reputation for being popular among hot rodders.

Then get older, get a college degree, and if you think it will work for you, get married. After a while, you'll have a car insurance risk rating to brag about!