Individuals with a less than stellar driving record may find that their auto insurance rates are higher than they’d like. If you have a bad driving record, it may still be possible to purchase affordable car insurance in Phoenix. There are numerous factors that affect the rate that you pay for auto insurance, including your driving record. Let’s look at some tips for finding affordable auto insurance in Phoenix, even if you have a bad driving record. 

What Are the Factors Affecting Rates for Auto Insurance in Phoenix, Arizona? 

Besides driving record, insurers look at age, gender, zip code of residence, type of vehicle and much more when determining your car insurance premium.  

If you have a bad driving record, you may need to pay more careful attention to some of the other factors involved to make sure that you get the best rate possible. This can help keep your insurance affordable, so that you can save money while still being legal and protected. 

 
Variables that affect the rate that you pay for automobile insurance include: 

• Amount of Coverage – The rate that you pay for your car insurance overall will be dramatically affected by whether you carry comprehensive coverage or minimum liability coverage on the vehicle.  
• Your Deductible – a higher deductible usually mean lower monthly premiums, so take that into account as you budget for insurance. 

• Age of Drivers – The rate that you pay for auto insurance in Phoenix will be affected by the ages of the individuals that will be driving the vehicles. If you have young drivers, you’ll want to consider that as you make choices about your insurance coverage. 
• Vehicle Make, Model, and Mileage – A newer vehicle will be more expensive to insure than an older one, and the type of vehicle you purchase will also affect your insurance rate. Flashier sports cars and higher-value vehicles will cost more to insure than a minivan or a sedan, for example. 
• Geographic Location – Your Phoenix zip code will affect the rate that you pay for auto insurance. If you have a bad driving record, you may want to pay careful attention to where you choose to live within the area. 
• Gender of Driver – Young male drivers often pay significantly more for automobile insurance. If you fit this demographic, you may want to adjust other variables so that you can pay the lowest possible premium for auto insurance in Phoenix. 
• Credit Score – Your credit score can dramatically impact the amount you pay for car insurance. Making sure that your bills are paid on time and your credit record is carefully maintained can help keep your car insurance rates as low as possible 

How Can You Get a Lower Auto Insurance Rate with a Bad Driving Record in Phoenix? 

If you have a bad driving record, it’s still possible to obtain a reasonable auto insurance rate. You can carefully calculate the variables above to work out to the lowest possible rate for your Phoenix auto insurance, even if your driving record is less than perfect.  

For example, if you have several speeding tickets on your record, it may make sense to adjust your living situation so that you live in a less expensive area. It may make sense to purchase a car that is less expensive to insure. If possible, it may be wise to raise your credit score, as this can dramatically lower your auto insurance rate. These changes can make it possible to keep your Phoenix auto insurance costs as low as possible. 

Don’t forget that Arizona requires it drivers to carry a minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15. 

What Major Infractions Will Raise Your Auto Insurance in Phoenix? 

There are numerous issues that will dramatically raise your auto insurance in Phoenix. If your goal is to keep your insurance costs as low as possible, you’ll want to avoid tickets for the following: 

• At-Fault Accidents – If there is an accident for which you are deemed responsible, it can drastically increase the rate that you pay for insurance on your vehicles. If you’re ruled to be at fault for an accident, it can increase your insurance rate far more than just having an accident on your record. 
• Speeding Tickets – Speeding tickets can contribute to a bad driving record, increasing the price you pay for auto insurance in Phoenix. If you have a speeding ticket on your record already, it’s important to do your best to drive carefully in order to avoid adding extra infractions to your record and increasing your overall rate. 
• Distracted Driving – These tickets are usually issued for infractions such as texting while driving or driving while on the phone. If you are attempting to multitask while driving, you’re at risk of both causing an accident and of receiving a ticket for distracted driving. These infractions on your record can greatly affect the price that you pay for auto insurance in Phoenix. It’s easier than you’d think to quickly rack up multiple tickets for one incident, causing your insurance rate to shoot sky-high. 
• Racing – Street racing is an incredibly dangerous activity that should be avoided at all costs. If you are charged with racing, it’s likely that you’ll have a bad driving record quite quickly, as you can receive numerous infractions for one incident. 
• DUI – Driving under the influence charges can cause major issues related to your ability to drive. You may lose your license or registration, and insurance companies may refuse to cover you. To keep your insurance rates as low as possible, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicating substances. 

While not related to your driving record, poor credit may also dramatically affect the rate that you pay for auto insurance in Phoenix. If you have poor credit, you may find that you pay a significantly higher rate for insurance. If you have a bad driving record, maintaining excellent credit can help keep your automotive insurance rates as low as possible. 

Will Discounts Save You Money on Auto Insurance in Phoenix? 

Yes! Often, an individual can obtain discounts from their auto insurance company for a variety of reasons. Working with your insurance agent to determine which discounts you’re eligible for may help you save a chunk of money on your auto insurance, even if you happen to have a bad driving record. 
 
Common insurance discounts include: 

• Loyalty – Often, an insurance company will offer a discount to customers who have carried a policy consistently with the agency for a specific amount of time. These discounts can make it easier to afford a policy even if you have a bad driving record. On the other hand, some insurers offer a discount for new clients, as well.   

• Academic – If you have a student in the family, they may qualify for an academic discount on their car insurance policy based on their grade point average. They’ll need to provide the car insurance company with a copy of their report cards or transcript. 
    
• Bundling – You may be able to save quite a bit of money by bundling your home insurance, life insurance, auto, or renters insurance policies and purchasing them all from the same company. 

If you have a bad driving record, these discounts may help make your auto insurance policy more affordable overall. Speak to your insurance agent about the various types of discounts that your auto insurance company offers. They’ll help you determine which ones you may be eligible for, so that you can reduce your monthly premium as much as possible. This will allow you to pay the lowest possible rate, even if you have a bad driving record. 

Can Where You Live in Phoenix Help You Pay Less for Insurance with a Bad Driving Record? 

If you have a bad driving record, you likely pay quite a bit for your auto insurance. One way that you can lower the amount of your monthly premium is to consider the Phoenix zip code in which you’ve chosen to live. Spend some time evaluating different areas of the city and their insurance rates, then select the area with the lowest car insurance premium average. This will allow you to pay the lowest possible rate for your auto insurance in Phoenix, even if you have a bad driving record. 

Here are a few zip codes from around the Phoenix area with average monthly car insurance rates. 

Remember, these are not the rates you can expect to pay. These rates are the average monthly payment for a 30-year-old male driver driving a 2019 Honda Accord and other factors. Insurance companies look at zip codes to factor in how many accident, theft and vandalism claims happen in that area, plus the number of personal injury lawsuits filed. 

Will Maintaining Insurance Coverage in Phoenix Help You Lower Your Auto Insurance Rates? 

Temporarily dropping your automotive insurance can seem like a good idea to save money, especially if you’re struggling to pay your bills. However, it may actually raise your rates dramatically. Insurance companies may give you a lower score if they see lapses in car insurance coverage, unless you have a good reason like, for example, you are in the military and have been deployed overseas. 

Instead, do everything you can to maintain consistent auto insurance in Phoenix. This will help keep your premiums at a consistent rate that you can afford, and will make sure that you have car insurance available if it’s needed. 

Get Affordable Car Insurance in Phoenix Today 

Auto insurance in Phoenix can cost a bit more if you have a bad driving record. However, there are some steps that you can take to keep your insurance rates as low as possible. You can work with an Oasis Insurance agent to find affordable car insurance, no matter your budget. Start here to get a fast and free online car insurance quote, or visit one of our offices, or call us at 800-330-5190.