The announcer declares that it’s easy for a caveman to do it, referring to the ease of saving money with their car insurer. Although the advertisement was a huge success, it even led to a TV series. However, it is not true that a caveman, talking Lizards, scantily dressed models, or any other creature will make car insurance cheaper. Your driving record, gender, location, vehicle, and age are the main factors that determine your insurance premium. It doesn’t matter what insurance company you have. You can save money by getting auto insurance cheap with a less-than-perfect driving record, including speeding and accidents. It will quickly become apparent that “easy” is not a universal term. While it may be easier than Chinese Arithmetic or as simple as you think, it’s not as simple as many commercials might have you believe.
It is not easy for even a caveman to find cheap car insurance in certain areas. My home, the People’s Republic of Maryland is known for its ‘point’ system. This means that you can be nailed twice for the same offense. If you are convicted of a driving offense here, you will be given a gift that will keep on giving. Not only will you have to pay the court fees but your insurance company will also reward you with higher premiums if they find that you have earned some points. You can get your license suspended or revoked if you’re a high achiever. Your driving record is what will determine how much you pay. Avoid tickets if possible and take the bus if you live Maryland.
It is better to be a caveman than a cavewoman when it comes to car insurance. It is a well-known fact that you will pay more for auto coverage if your XY chromosome is present. This is because men are more likely to be reckless and fast than women who have more testosterone. With many years of driving experience, I can tell you that it is not the caveman or woman who matters but rather whether you are a young caveman. I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen young Cro-Magnon women drive up on another car’s bumper at 70 mph. This gender discrimination may seem like a Neanderthal to some of us but nobody said life was unfair, even for a caveman.
It is also important where your cave is located. In Maryland, the cost of car insurance was half that of Washington State. Living in the wrong zip code can result in higher rates for Baltimore residents. My brother lives two miles away from me, but his auto insurance is cheaper because he lives within a different zip code. While you may be the most safe driver on the roads, it is possible to get penalized for living in an unsafe area. Location is important when it comes car insurance.
The type of vehicle you are insuring is also a major factor in the cost of your auto insurance. Certain vehicles are more likely to be stolen than others. According to the NICB, the Honda Civic and Accord were the most stolen vehicles in 2006. The report stated that thieves target popular vehicles because they have the best market for vehicle parts and illegal export to foreign countries. This is something insurance companies know about and will charge premiums to cover the privilege of driving one of these happy thieves cars.
Although it might seem like you can save money by having your car insured with an insurance company featuring a caveman spokesperson, the reality is that insurance prices are determined by many factors, including driving record, age, sex, and where you live. It should be obvious to anyone, even a caveman, that this is true regardless of how cleverly they advertise it.