Law office of Matthew Konecky - February 2019

6 Factors That Influence Your Insurance Premiums

No one actually likes paying their auto insurance premiums. We do it because it offers us protection when we venture out on the open road. There is no way to predict what will happen when we commute from home to work and back again so having insurance is necessary. How do those insurance premiums break down? What factors affect what the insurance company can charge each customer? Driving Record It goes without saying that if you’ve been involved in a crash, you can expect to pay more. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, that too may factor in. Over time, however, you can lower your premiums by keeping your driving record clean. Those who have never been involved in a crash won’t pay as much. Vehicle of Choice The make and model of your car or truck can have a big impact on what you pay every year. Newer, sportier, or higher-horsepower vehicles tend to come with hefty premiums, while cars that emphasize safety

and security are paired with lower premiums. Additionally, vehicles that are more susceptible to theft and have lower safety ratings are costlier to insure.

Location Insurers charge more for areas where crashes are more common and theft rates are higher. Typically, this is the case in major cities. That means people who live in more densely populated areas will have higher insurance premiums. Those who live in more rural areas usually spend less. Mileage How much and how far you drive is another factor in what you pay. Basically, if you drive more, you can expect to pay more. It comes down to the fact that the more time you spend on the road commuting, the more likely it is you’ll experience a crash. Credit History Insurers can reference your credit history when determining your premium. They cite studies that suggest your credit history can determine your likelihood of submitting an insurance claim. That is to say, people with lower credit scores are a greater liability in the insurance company’s eyes. Age The numbers don’t lie. Data shows that drivers under the age of 25 are more likely to get into a crash than any other group — males under 25, in particular. As a result, their premiums are higher. In almost every case, the younger you are, the more you can expect to pay, and the number goes down as you age. Those over 65 traditionally pay the least.

MEME CORNER

Cooking With Ashley

SLOWCOOKER TUSCAN CHICKPEA SOUP

Ingredients

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1/2 onion, chopped

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2–3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 bay leaves

2–3 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried sage 1 teaspoon liquid smoke 1/3 cup nutritional yeast salt and pepper to taste

3–4 celery stalks, chopped

3 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

5 cups vegetable broth

Directions

1. Place and combine all ingredients (minus the nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper) in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours. Once cooked, remove sprigs of rosemary and bay leaves. Then, with an immersion blender, purée. a. If you don’t have an immersion blender, add cooked soup to regular blender or food processor and purée until smooth. You will have to do this in batches. Be careful — soup will be hot! 2. As soon as soup is puréed, mix in nutritional yeast and add salt and pepper to taste. Pairs well with a warm, crusty bread — or add to a bread bowl. Enjoy!

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Recipe adapted from KeepinItKind.com/tuscan-chickpea-soup.

www.matthewkoneckypa.com

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