Cell Phones Will Likely Raise Your Car Insurance Rates

[jeffrey]

An article on usatoday.com about a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that using cell phones while driving (either hand held or hands free - it doesn't matter) increases the risk of an accident by some 400%. There was a similar study in Japan a few months back that came up with similar results.




If these studies are confirmed, you can bet that your car insurance rates will begin to significantly increase if you own a cell phone and use it while driving. The car insurance industry is run by statistical odds and that's why you sometime see strange discounts given by car insurers. Your credit score may not seem to have anything to do with your driving ability, but the statistics say if you have good credit, you're less likely to commit insurance fraud to try and get money. If you have a good credit rating, you likely pay less than if you have a poor credit rating.

With statistics indicating that those using cell phones are 4 times more likely to get into an accident, it won't be long for the car insurance companies to take this statistic into account when issuing policies. It's time to get into the habit of turning off your cell phone at the same time you buckle your seat belt if you don't want to see your car insurance payments go through the roof in the near future.

[cicy33]

I personally use a headset and don't have any problems with my driving but I can see where that is a problem. I however, strongly, think that because we have "bad" credit that they can penalize us because we "might" commit fraud. HELLO we have bad credit because we couldn't pay our bills not because we are criminals. I feel that is discriminatory. I also don't think that the credit score should be a legally used number. For example, my husband has a very common name: Michael Smith. We have so much trouble with his credit report it is not funny. They have him living in places and working places and charging things we have never even heard of. He has over 5 accounts with several different credit card companies. Each. it is crazy. We contacted a lawyer and they say that if we can make them remove them that is all we can do. But they keep putting more on. I think that there should be more cuz it is the credit companies fault for not double checking his social. and sometimes the middle name doesn't even match! So how is that fair for driving insurance? I think that if they do this then more people will just not carry insurance. I can barely afford my good insurance now. and I have never had a wreck.

I think the last thing I need (or anyone in NJ for that matter) is higher car insurance rates! I drive like a granny because it's just not worth it. I now have a new car, but a few years ago I was paying more in car insurance (JUST for liability) than my car was even worth!

I think the law should be enforced, i.e. receive a ticket if seen on a cell phone, but I don't think insurance rates should go up (and punish those of us that don't break the rule).

[cicy33]

I totally agree! I thought the deal was if you were a good driver you got better rates. Now it seems that if you are an okay driver and great credit you will get the good rates? Where will the incentive be? Personally I drive as fast as I can afford and I can't afford a $75 speeding ticket! That is what ours is in Illinois.

[Bluezy]

Insurance comanies will use anything to raise rates. However, they DO have a point with the cell phone issue. People are ridiculous to use cell phones while driving.

[cicy33]

this morning read the paper and there is a new law going through that if you are under 18 and driving you cannot use a cell phone while driving. It is effective immediately.