I've noticed the same thing over the years. Insurers seem to have a knack for finding new reasons to keep those premiums steady—whether it's coastal flooding, inland hailstorms, or even deer collisions out in the sticks. Years ago, I moved from Jackson to a quieter rural area thinking my rates would drop significantly. Nope... barely a dent. Turns out insurers factor in local accident stats, theft rates, and even repair costs specific to certain zip codes, not just coastal risks.
Driving record does play a big role though. My nephew had a couple of speeding tickets (typical young driver stuff), and his premiums shot up noticeably more than mine ever did from relocation alone. Shopping around definitely helps keep things reasonable, but at the end of the day, insurers always have their formulas—and they rarely work in our favor, right?
I've had similar experiences—moved from Gulfport inland thinking I'd catch a break, but nope, premiums barely budged. Still, I've noticed driving record hits harder overall. Wonder if vehicle type makes as big a difference as location or record...?
I've wondered the same thing... my premiums barely moved when I swapped from a sedan to an SUV, even though I expected a bigger jump. Maybe insurers care more about how often certain models get into accidents or stolen rather than just vehicle type alone?
From my experience, insurers definitely factor in more than just vehicle type alone. When I switched from my sedan to a luxury SUV last year, I expected a hefty premium increase, but it wasn't as drastic as I'd feared. After doing some digging, I found out insurers heavily weigh accident statistics, theft rates, and even repair costs for specific models. For example, luxury cars might have higher repair costs, but if they're statistically involved in fewer accidents or thefts, the premium might not spike as much as you'd think.
Also, location and driving record both matter quite a bit. A friend of mine moved from a busy city area to a quieter suburb in Mississippi, and her premiums dropped noticeably—even though her driving record stayed the same. Insurers see lower risk in areas with fewer accidents or thefts. So it's a combo of factors: your car's specific model stats, your driving history, and the area you live in.
"Insurers see lower risk in areas with fewer accidents or thefts."
I get your point, but honestly, I wonder if location might actually matter even more than driving record sometimes. Like, my older brother has a spotless driving record (seriously, annoyingly perfect...), but when he moved downtown near Jackson, his premiums jumped way higher than he expected. Feels like insurers put a little too much weight on zip codes rather than the actual driver behavior. Maybe location's the real game-changer here?
