Nestled on Florida's beautiful west coast, the greater Tampa Bay area is one of the state's most beloved cities. Boasting a population of 326,519, as of January 2007, Tampa is also Florida's third most populated city. Tampa residents enjoy a variety of year round activities including boating, fishing, and camping. The city also features a rich history and was once the cigar capital of the South thanks to Ybor City. Tourism is also a large part of Tampa's economy. Tampa has many famous attractions that draw thousands of visitors each year. Some of these attractions include:
Tampa Bay is one of the many jewels of Florida. If you are currently living in Tampa, or are considering a move, please take the time to make sure you are fully educated about the factors, which will affect your auto insurance policy. Remember that you will be sharing the road with thousands of drivers each day and need to be fully prepared in the unfortunate event of an accident. Some of the factors which will affect your policy include:
Commute Time
Your insurance policy is comprised of a variety of factors which will affect how much your premium costs each year. Some of these factors include age, sex, driver's history, and location. However, one of the main factors is commute time. This may go without saying, but the longer you are on the road each day, the more chances you will have to be involved in an accident. The average Tampa resident only spends about 22 minutes to drive to work each day. If you drive any longer than this, expect to pay more than your shorter commute neighbors do.
Type of Vehicle
The type of vehicle you drive also plays an important role in deciding the amount and cost of your auto insurance. Of course, new cars will cost more to insure than used cars, and cars that are more expensive will cost more than their less expensive counterparts will. You may be able to receive discounts on Hybrid vehicles as well as top safety performers of the year, such as cars that feature electronic stability control. However, one variable will surely affect your premium: theft. Each year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau compiles a list of the most stolen cars in each area. Although car theft is in its third year of decline, the following cars are still popular targets in the greater Tampa Bay area:
There are of course, many ways to prevent the theft of your vehicle, which will save you money on car insurance. Some of the most popular ways to prevent auto theft include the installation of a car alarm, wheel lock, hood lock, electronic system disabler, and of course maintaining a theft recovery device. Please consult an insurance agent before you install any of these systems to insure that the company recognizes your specific theft deterrent.
Facts and Figures
Every year, Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles compiles a list of data regarding accidents on Florida's highways. In 2006, Hillsborough County had 23,971 auto related accidents. This fact is only slightly above last year's 23,329. Though these are very high numbers, they are much less than Miami-Dade, which had 45,582 accidents in 2006. Hillsborough County also reported 1,937 alcohol-related accidents and 191 auto-related deaths in 2006.
Tips for Lowering Insurance Costs
The safer you are on the road, the less you will pay in auto insurance. Those drivers who practice defensive driving and follow traffic laws are typically the drivers who are involved in the fewest amounts of accidents. Those drivers who practice unsafe driving practices like talking on the telephone or eating while driving are usually the ones who wind up in the most accidents. Remember that you are responsible for the safety of not only yourself, but also the other drivers with whom you share the road each time you get behind the wheel.
Contact an insurance company before making a purchase of a new or used vehicle. Ask about discounts for extra safety or theft prevention devices and inquire about discount for good students in your family. Also, ask about available discounts for the completion of defensive driving courses. All of these questions will help you to save money on your insurance in Tampa Bay as well as to help you become a better driver.
Defensive Driving Techniques
Sadly, there were more than 40,000 auto-related deaths in 2006 and 2.6 million people with injuries from traffic accidents according to the National Institute for Highway Safety.
Glossary Auto Insurance
It is extremely important that each driver understands the fundamental basics of auto insurance before buying coverage. Know exactly what you are buying, and what your policy will include.
How to Select Auto Insurance from Quotes
In every state, there are multiple insurance carriers.