When you are searching for auto insurance, the quotes you receive are based on the underwriting guildelines of the auto insurance company. These guidelines, in turn, are determined by the auto insurance research that has been conducted with respect to people’s driving habits and the amount of risk involved in certain situations for an accident. For instance, if you are a middle-aged woman who drives an economy car, you will be quoted a far lower premium rate than if you are, for instance, a young man who is eighteen and drives a sports car.

That’s because auto insurance research indicates that women over forty years old have far fewer accidents than young males (18 – 24 years old), and people who drive sports cars have more accidents than drivers who choose to tool around town in an economy car. So, even if you are a safe driver and eighteen years old, you’ll still be penalized for your counterparts’ reckless behavior on the roadways.