Image via Flickr user Dean Hochman

Politics. Religion. The state of their lawn. Add auto insurance quotes to the list of things you should never discuss with your neighbors if you want to remain, well, neighborly.

You may find out that they’re paying a lot less for auto insurance than you are, even though you live right next door and have the same insurance company. That might not seem fair, but it’s not unusual. So what gives?

Turns out, a lot more than location goes into an auto insurance quote. Here are some reasons your neighbor might be getting a better deal.

Age

The older you get, the less your auto insurance is going to cost. Well, to a point. Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show a drop-off in driver death rates at age 25, so reaching that age should lower your quote.

Gender

Sorry guys, but research shows that men are involved in accidents and engage in risky behaviors, such as speeding or drunken driving, more often than women, according to the IIHS.

Driving record

Maybe you have three speeding tickets on your record. Or you’ve caused two accidents in the past five years.

Shorter commute

If your neighbors commute to work each day on the train, and you drive 200 miles both ways, their insurance is going to be lower because they aren’t using their vehicle as much as you.

Cheaper-to-insure car

If your neighbor’s vehicle has a better-than-average claims history, that likely translates into a better deal on car insurance, all else being equal.

Think you’re getting a raw deal compared with your neighbor? Find out how you cansave on car insurance, then shop around for a few quotes. You may find a better price than you thought possible.

by Sarah Cooke

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