Calculator inputs
Formula used
The calculator builds a market estimate by multiplying a base rate by rating factors: Estimate = Base × Vehicle × Coverage × Mileage × Age × Incidents × Use × Credit × Deductible × Safety.
Selected discount opportunities reduce the estimate using a stacking (multiplicative) method: AfterDiscount = Estimate × (d1 × d2 × ...).
Potential savings are calculated as: Savings = max(0, CurrentAnnual − AfterDiscount). Results are shown as an annual amount and a percent of your current premium.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your current premium and choose the billing term.
- Fill in your driver profile, mileage, and vehicle details.
- Select realistic discount opportunities you can request.
- Click Calculate Savings to view results above the form.
- Use CSV/PDF downloads to compare quotes consistently.
Example data table
| Profile | Current Premium (Annual) | Mileage | Deductible | Opportunities Selected | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35, commute, clean record | $1,200 | 12,000 | $500 | Bundle, pay-in-full | $120–$260 |
| 24, mixed use, one ticket | $2,050 | 14,000 | $1,000 | Telematics, autopay, paperless | $180–$420 |
| 52, pleasure use, low mileage | $980 | 6,500 | $1,000 | Bundle, defensive course | $70–$190 |
| 70, commute, one accident | $1,650 | 10,500 | $500 | Homeowner, pay-in-full | $60–$210 |
Current premium versus market estimate
This calculator normalizes your premium to an annual figure, then compares it with a modeled market estimate built from rating factors. The model starts with a base rate and scales it using vehicle value, coverage level, mileage tier, age tier, driving incidents, usage type, credit tier, deductible, and safety features. A ±7% range is shown to reflect pricing variation. Location and insurer rules can shift the final number.
Discount stacking and savings score
Savings opportunities apply as multipliers, not simple additions. For example, a 10% bundle factor (0.90) combined with a 12% telematics factor (0.88) produces 0.90×0.88 = 0.792, or about 20.8% off the estimate. The savings score scales your savings percentage by 3 and caps at 100, so 15% savings maps to about 45 points.
Mileage, use, and garaging risk
Mileage drives exposure, so the calculator uses step changes: under 7,500 miles is lowest, 7,500–11,999 is neutral, 12,000–14,999 is slightly higher, and 15,000+ carries the highest factor. “Business” use increases the estimate versus “pleasure” use. Private garaging, ADAS, and anti-theft reduce the safety factor modestly, reflecting lower theft and crash costs.
Deductible and coverage calibration strategy
Deductible selection changes premium by shifting expected claim frequency to you. The model treats $250 as higher cost than $500, while $1,000 to $2,000 typically lowers premium. Coverage level also matters: minimum is modeled lower, enhanced is higher. Use the calculator to test a realistic deductible that your emergency fund can absorb without forcing risky underinsurance decisions.
Quote discipline and renewal timing
To turn modeled savings into real savings, request multiple quotes with identical limits, deductibles, drivers, and vehicle details. Track each quote’s annual premium and discount list in the CSV export. If you recently had tickets or accidents, retest after 6–12 clean months, since incident surcharges often fade. Re-run scenarios before renewal to spot better timing windows.
FAQs
1) Why does the estimate differ from my insurer’s quote?
Insurers price with location, prior insurance, vehicle symbols, household drivers, and proprietary factors. This tool uses transparent rating multipliers and a small uncertainty band, so it’s best for direction and comparison, not exact underwriting.
2) How should I choose which discounts to check?
Select discounts you can actually qualify for today, such as bundling, pay-in-full, or autopay. For telematics, assume conservative savings unless you have a clean, low-risk driving pattern.
3) Does the calculator add discounts together?
No. Discounts are applied multiplicatively because stacking rarely behaves like simple addition. This prevents unrealistic savings when multiple small discounts are selected at once.
4) What deductible change usually saves the most?
Moving from $250 to $500 or $1,000 often reduces premium because you retain more risk. The best deductible is the highest amount you could pay immediately after a loss without financial stress.
5) How often should I re-run the savings check?
Re-run it before renewal, after major life changes, or when mileage shifts materially. Also retest after several clean months if you recently had tickets or accidents.
6) Can I use this for multiple vehicles or drivers?
Yes. Run one scenario per primary driver and vehicle, then compare exports side-by-side. For households, keep limits and deductibles consistent to isolate pricing differences.