Eagle Eye Contents — Spring 2003

What gets you the lowest price today?

Auto insurance in Vermont is mandatory. If a company will not insure you due to poor past performance, the assigned risk pool will give you insurance for a very high price. In New Hampshire insurance is not mandatory but if you want it (and you really should have it) companies must offer it; however, they can charge a higher price.

So you want to get the lowest price... Here’s how:

• Drive a standard, average vehicle - all vehicles are classified based on value, frequency of accidents, frequency of theft, and cost to repair. High value sport vehicles cost more. Each company also has a list of “Restricted Vehicles.”
• No At-Fault Accidents for 3 years.
• No minor violations (non-inspection, expired registration, equipment defect, speed 15 mph under the limit).
• No major violations for 5 years (DWI, driving with a suspended license, speed 15 mph over the limit).
• Age 25 to 70.
• The number of vehicles to drivers — if every driver in the household has a vehicle they can drive, a driver will be listed to every vehicle regardless of whether they use it daily or not (younger operators will pay more).
• Use of the vehicle for pleasure only (a commuting vehicle costs more and business use is even higher).
• No lapse in coverage (no cancellations or operation without insurance in the last 12 months).