But hey, at least you're saving on gas now, right?
Haha, I wouldn't rule out the magic eight-ball theory just yet. But seriously, it's probably some cryptic algorithm no mortal can decipher. My cousin got labeled "high-risk" just for a couple speeding tickets—seems harsh, but insurance logic rarely makes sense...
Insurance algorithms can definitely feel mysterious at times...but they're usually based on statistics rather than magic eight-balls, thankfully. Did your cousin's rates eventually drop after a clean driving period, or did they stay high for a while?
Insurance companies definitely lean heavily on statistics, but honestly, sometimes those numbers don't always feel fair or transparent. A friend of mine got labeled high-risk after two minor fender-benders in a year (neither was even her fault), and her rates shot up immediately. Took her nearly three years of spotless driving before things noticeably improved—so yeah, it can take a while.
From what I've seen, insurers usually reassess every 6 months or yearly, but they're cautious about lowering rates quickly. It seems like they want a solid chunk of time to pass without incidents to be convinced you're genuinely less risky. Also, switching providers sometimes helps since each company weighs factors slightly differently. If your cousin hasn't shopped around yet, that might be worth a try...I've seen people save quite a bit doing that.
I get your point about switching providers, but honestly, it doesn't always pan out. When I got labeled high-risk after one minor accident (also not my fault), I shopped around thinking I'd find a better deal. Turns out, most companies were quoting me similar rates because they all tap into the same databases and risk assessments. Sure, there's some variation, but it's rarely dramatic enough to make a huge difference.
What actually helped me more was tweaking my coverage a bit—raising deductibles slightly and dropping some optional extras I didn't really need. It wasn't ideal, but it made the premiums manageable until my record cleared up. So yeah, shopping around can help sometimes, but it's not always the silver bullet people think it is.
That's a solid point—shopping around isn't always the magic solution people expect. Did you also try asking your insurer about accident forgiveness programs or safe driver discounts after a certain time passes without incidents? Sometimes insurers have stuff like that tucked away, and they don't always mention it upfront. Adjusting your coverage is definitely smart, but it never hurts to poke around for hidden perks... right?
