Getting Married? Consider These Factors Before Combining Your Auto Insurance

There is a general belief that married motorists pay less for their auto insurance than their single counterparts. This is generally true because insurers view married insurers as safe drivers. You can sometimes even reduce your insurance rate further by combining your policy with that of your spouse's policy. However, there are situations in which combining policies may not be a worthwhile move. For example, combining policies may not be suitable for these four situations:

1. Your Partner Is Under 25 Or Over 65

Car insurance costs are high for drivers under the age of 25 or over the age of 65. Insurers view young drivers as reckless because they are more likely to drink and drive, drive without fastening safety belts or speed.

As for older drivers, they cost more to insure because of their age-related frailties such as impaired vision and reduced cognitive functioning. Also, older drivers are more likely to sustain serious injuries due to their frail physical bodies. Therefore, it may not make good economic sense to combine policies with partners in those age ranges.

2. Your Spouse Drives A Pricier Vehicle

You also need to consider the type of car that your partner drives. A difference of a couple thousand dollars or so may not be a big deal. However, you ought to be cautious if he or she drives a classic car or luxury model that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and you drive a regular family sedan.

This is because expensive cars cost more to insure, so you may end up increasing your premiums by combining policies.

3. Your Partner Drives More

Annual mileage is one of the factors used by insurers to calculate premiums. In fact, some insurance companies even offer monitoring devices that track your mileage and entitle you to discounts if you keep your driving mileage below some limits.

Therefore, if your partner drives a lot, then combining policies may not be wise. Note that the definition of high-mileage varies from insurer to insurer. For example, some insurers have limits as low as 7,500 miles while others have limits of 15,000 miles.

4. Your Spouse Has A Risky Driving History

Lastly, you should shy away from combined policies if you have a clean driving record while your spouse's record is littered with driving offenses. The risky driving history will cloud your clean one and drive up the rates. If he or she has been charged with a DUI or has several speeding tickets, then it's wise to stay away from his or her car insurance. 

For more information, talk to a professional like those at Helvenston B W & Sons Insurance.