You open your auto insurance bill and wonder "why did my auto insurance go up?"

If something in your situation has changed, such as you bought a new car or were recently in an accident, you're probably waiting for the increase. But what if nothing seems to have changed? What would explain the sudden increase in your auto insurance rate? Key insurance rate factors When calculating your auto insurance quote, most auto insurers look at a number of factors that, through statistical modeling, help them determine the likelihood of you having an accident or other type of claim. The factors that can influence your auto insurance rate fall into three main categories: you, your car and the way you drive. Auto insurers start with basic demographic information, such as your age, gender and marital status.For instance, more seasoned, more experienced drivers will in general have less mishaps than more youthful drivers, and single drivers will in general have a bigger number of mishaps than wedded drivers. Where you reside is likewise considered. A metropolitan setting may imply that you are bound to get into a mishap or be a survivor of robbery. Insurance agencies will likewise consider credit reports and past protection. Drivers who have positive information on their credit report are more likely to pay their premiums and keep their insurance in force. In addition, drivers who keep their insurance current are less likely to be involved in accidents and traffic violations and are therefore usually charged lower rates. Some companies may also consider your occupation, especially if there is a close connection between what you do for a living and how much and how far you normally drive. Your car Generally, the most important factors related to your car are its age, make and model. Statistics on these characteristics help predict the likelihood of the car being stolen by thieves or in an accident, as well as how much it would cost to or on the other hand supplant it in case of a case. Some companies also take into account the age and safety rating of the vehicle. Safety and security features such as anti-collision technologies or multiple airbags may qualify you for discounts or credits to help reduce your costs. Don't help thieves steal your car Your driving habits One of the most important factors influencing your rate is, of course, your driving history. Drivers who have had an accident or committed violations (such as speeding) are more likely to have future accidents or violations, and therefore their rates tend to be higher. Back up plans additionally take a gander at how you utilize your vehicle. Do you have a long work trip on congested roads? Alternatively, are you retired, using your car primarily in the city or for an occasional weekend? Of course, depending on your company and your state's laws and regulations, your insurer may not use all of the factors described above, or they may consider other factors not listed here. These are generally the most common, and when you have a change in one of these factors, it often triggers a change in your rates. However, what happens when your costs have changed while your personal situation has not? Why has my insurance gone up? Inflation is one of the apparent reasons for insurance rate increases. As costs associated with claims increase due to inflation (medical and vehicle repair costs, for example), companies adjust their rates to cover these higher expenses. In addition to inflation, other factors can affect your rates. It's important to remember that the money an insurance company collects from you and the other drivers it insures is pooled to help pay the collective claims of those drivers as a group. Therefore, if the frequency or severity of accidents increases, insurance companies will generally adjust their rates to cover the resulting claim costs. This means that your rate may increase, even if you are not involved in an accident. Lead us to distraction Whether it's eating, monitoring GPS, texting or talking on a cell phone (even hands-free), drivers are spending more time multitasking in their cars and less time on the main task: driving. Among the distractions, texting is considered particularly dangerous because it forces us to take our eyes off the road longer. According to the AAA Foundation's 2015 Traffic Safety Culture Index, 77 percent of drivers said texting while driving is a serious safety threat and 80 percent find it unacceptable. Yet 42 percent of the same respondents admitted to reading a text message or email while driving, and nearly a third (31.3 percent) have written one. Another study, from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, found that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who drive without distraction. More automotive technology means more expensive repairs Many of today's new vehicles feature technology designed to make cars and driving safer, including rearview cameras, blind spot detection systems and smart headlights, to name a few. Experts suggest that in the long run, these technologies could help reduce the number and severity of accidents and, therefore, help reduce auto insurance rates. However, in the short term, this technology is more expensive to repair or replace when the vehicle has been in an accident. For example, replacing a basic grille emblem costs about $50.In any case, on certain vehicles with versatile voyage control (ACC), the ACC unit requires a unique "clear" grille symbol that can cost more than $950 to finish. says Greg Horn, VP of industry relations at Mitchell. What can you do to keep auto insurance rates down? There are some factors that affect your rates that you can't easily change, such as your age. But it can have a significant impact on your own driving behaviors, helping you as an individual and as a larger group of drivers. By taking steps to drive safely, you may be able to reduce the likelihood of an accident. Here are some tips: Try not to accelerate As indicated by the Public Thruway Traffic Security Affiliation, traffic fatalities expanded in 2015, switching a consistent descending pattern since 2000. Specialists trait the expansion, to some degree, to states raising most extreme speed limits. Don't be a distracted driver Remember, distracted driving is not just texting, emailing or talking on the phone. Distraction also includes behaviors such as eating, trying to take care of the kids or having a heated conversation with a passenger. Commit to keeping your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your mind on the road. Be especially careful in bad weather It's not just snow or ice that requires the most care. Even storm-wet roads lead to increased accident rates, often because drivers don't adapt their driving habits to safely navigate slippery conditions. Slow down, brake more gradually than usual, and put more distance between your car and the vehicles around you.