Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Age | Miles | Deductible | Claims | Coverage | Lowest Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter, standard | 35 | 12,000 | $500 | 0 | Standard | $1,180 |
| Young driver, premium | 22 | 15,000 | $250 | 1 | Premium | $2,340 |
| Low mileage, minimum | 48 | 5,500 | $1,000 | 0 | Minimum | $760 |
Formula Used
- Factors scale risk and coverage choices up or down.
- DiscountFactor applies bundled and behavior discounts multiplicatively.
- Value Score blends cost and service to flag strong picks.
How to Use
- Choose your area risk, coverage level, and payment plan.
- Enter driver, vehicle, mileage, deductible, and history inputs.
- Select add-ons and discounts that match your situation.
- Optional: toggle manual entry and paste annual totals.
- Click Compare Quotes to view results and chart.
- Use CSV or PDF export to share and keep records.
Why Side-by-Side Quote Modeling Matters
Auto premiums can vary widely because each carrier weights risk differently. This tool standardizes your inputs, then applies clear multipliers so you can compare totals on equal terms. Location risk, coverage level, and driving history usually dominate price. For example, moving from medium to high area risk increases the estimate by about 18%, before fees. Seeing these drivers together reduces guesswork.
Deductible and Vehicle Value Tradeoffs
Deductibles shift cost from premium to out-of-pocket. In the model, raising the deductible lowers the deductible factor, producing a smaller annual total. A $500 deductible is treated as baseline, while $1,000 can reduce the modeled premium by several percentage points. Vehicle value also scales exposure. A $20,000 vehicle sits near the middle of the value curve; higher values push the vehicle factor upward. That helps illustrate protection versus price.
Mileage, Age, and Experience Effects
Mileage and driver profile influence expected claim frequency and severity. Low mileage under 6,000 uses a 0.92 usage factor, while heavy mileage above 18,000 uses 1.22. Age bands matter too: under 25 is modeled at 1.35, while mid-career drivers are closer to 1.00. Experience reduces the driver factor up to roughly 10%, rewarding longer licensing histories.
Claims, Violations, and Credit Sensitivity
Recent claims and violations have outsized impact. Each claim adds about 18% up to a capped increase, while each violation adds about 22% up to its cap. Credit tier is modeled modestly because rules differ by region, but it still shifts totals: excellent is about 0.93, poor about 1.15. Combining two claims and one violation can move a baseline estimate dramatically upward.
Turning Results into Decisions
Use the lowest-cost quote as your savings anchor, then check the value score for balance. A slightly higher premium may be worthwhile if the service rating is stronger or if coverage add-ons match your needs. If you already have real carrier offers, toggle manual entry to replace estimates and keep the same comparison layout. Export CSV for analysis, or PDF for sharing. Review results yearly as needed.
FAQs
What does the value score represent?
The score combines lower annual cost with a higher service rating. It helps highlight quotes that look balanced, not only cheap. Use it as a guide, then confirm coverage details and limits before deciding.
Can I compare my real carrier quotes here?
Yes. Turn on manual quote entry and paste each annual total. The tool will keep the same savings, ranking, and export features, so you can compare real offers using a consistent layout.
How does the deductible change the estimate?
Higher deductibles reduce the modeled premium because you keep more risk. Lower deductibles raise the estimate. Adjust deductible alongside vehicle value and add-ons to see how much cost changes for extra protection.
Why do miles and driver age matter?
More miles typically increases exposure to accidents, while very young drivers often have higher risk. The tool applies clear usage and age multipliers so you can see how lifestyle changes affect totals.
Do discounts stack together?
Yes, discounts are applied multiplicatively in the model. For example, safe driver and multi-policy both reduce the total, but the second discount applies after the first. Real carrier rules can differ.
What gets exported in CSV and PDF?
Exports include provider names, annual totals, monthly estimates, savings versus the best cost, service rating, value score, and the pick label. Use CSV for spreadsheets and PDF for sharing or records.