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When it comes to car insurance, there’s no one price-fits-all scenario. In fact, car insurance costs can vary greatly from driver to driver, carrier to carrier and even state to state.

It’s not only about which coverages you select. Many other factors can also impact your car insurance premium – here are seven of them.

Driving history: If you’ve been involved in a lot of accidents and received more than your fair share of traffic tickets, the result is almost certain to be higher car insurance costs. The good news, however, is that the inverse is typically true as well. So, watching the speed limits and not driving distracted are two ways to not only stay safe but to potentially lower your car insurance rates, too.
Deductible and discounts: Don’t forget these two factors if you’re trying to keep your car insurance costs low. Oftentimes, a higher deductible results in a lower premium, so select the highest deductible you can manage. Remember, you’ll need to pay the amount of your deductible out of your own pocket in the event of a covered loss. You also may save on car insurance by taking advantage of special discounts. These can vary depending on your carrier but are typically available if you insure both your home and car with the same carrier, if you take an accident prevention course or if you drive your car infrequently.
Your vehicle and how you use it: The more time you spend on the road, the higher the chance of something happening. So, if you have a long daily commute, you should expect to pay more for your car insurance. Your vehicle makes a difference in your car insurance rates, too. If you drive a vehicle with solid safety ratings or one that has a high likelihood of theft, your rates may go down or up, respectively.
Your home: What does your home have to do with car insurance rates? Where you live can oftentimes either increase or decrease your chance of an accident or other incident. For example, metropolitan areas have more traffic, so there’s likely a higher chance of being involved in an accident than a rural area with less traffic. So, those who live in a high-density area may pay more for auto insurance. Drivers in any area, however, may pay less if they own their homes. Many carriers offer a car insurance discount if you own a home, townhouse or condo.
Age, marital status and gender: Believe it or not, married drivers typically have fewer auto accidents than non-married drivers, so the former may pay less for their car insurance. Young, inexperienced drivers typically pay more, so keep this in mind if your kids are nearing driving age. And, finally, female drivers often experience fewer accidents, so they may receive lower rates than males.
Credit history: Data has shown that those with higher credit-based insurance scores typically have fewer claims over time. So, keep your credit in check if you want to keep your car insurance costs in check, too. Though, in some states, carriers are not allowed to use your credit history in determining your car insurance rate.
Previous coverage: If you’ve ever had any gaps in your coverage or you’ve carried lower-than-recommended limits in the past, you may find yourself paying more for car insurance today.

So, you see, there are a lot of factors that go into determining your car insurance rate. In the insurance industry, we call them “rating factors.”

If you want to better understand which of the above rating factors may be impacting your car insurance costs, I encourage you to talk to your local independent insurance agent. And, remember, your rating factors can change, so check in with your local agent once a year to review your insurance policies and make sure they are still a good fit for you.

Fall brings more than just changing leaves and shorter days. In many areas, it also comes with a shift in weather conditions that can have a serious impact on your home. And, don’t forget, winter is right around the corner, too.

Before the rain and cold take over, it’s time to do some routine maintenance to get things in shape for the months ahead. Besides, preventative maintenance can help you save money and keep you and your family healthy and safe.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Fall Maintenance Outside Your House

Check your roof: Remove moss from sloped areas and clear any debris from gutters and downspouts. Additionally, look for signs of damage/wear and make repairs as soon as possible. Use binoculars if you need to. Fall is no time for a leaky roof!
Keep your yard free of debris: Pick up and properly dispose of fallen leaves and limbs on a regular basis to help reduce your risk of fire and other hazards.
Look out for critters: Rodents and other animals might be looking for warm places to hide out, and they can cause big problems if one of those places happens to be in your home or garage. Watch for termites, roaches and other insects as well, and call a professional if you need assistance.
Get hoses ready for the cold: When the weather starts to turn, drain water from outdoor hoses, faucets and irrigation systems. Place covers on faucets as necessary.
Inspect your vents and ducts: Attic vents, dryer vents and exhaust ducts should be clear (check inside and out).
Watch those windows: Clean window wells and check drainage.
Walk around: If you have cracks in your driveway or other walkways, address them now — freezing weather will only make them worse.

Fall Maintenance Inside Your House

Keep things dry in the crawlspace, basement and attic: If you have a sump pump, make sure it is in good working condition, and check for wet spots or puddles in the crawlspace.
Look for leaks: Give your water heater (have you drained it lately?) and boiler a quick exam, and don’t forget your water main/meter or well pump.
Do some fall cleaning: Clean and tune your furnace, boiler and/or water heater, along with your oven and range.
Seal things up: If you feel any drafts around windows or doors, address them now to help keep your energy costs down. And, check your attic insulation, too.
Check your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors: Even ones that are powered through your home’s electrical system typically have a backup battery that might need replacing.
Get ready for fireplace season: Make sure there’s no soot or creosote accumulation, and consider having a chimney sweep conduct a fireplace safety inspection.
Speaking of fires ... do you have fire extinguishers in your home? You should (one per floor, at least). The pressure indicator should show a charge, and the lock pin should be intact.

One final tip: Since this list largely is about keeping your family safe and comfortable, this also is a fine time to revisit (or create) your family emergency escape plan and emergency kit. Make sure everyone knows how to get out of their room, and where to meet once they’re out of the house. Your home is replaceable, of course — your family isn’t.

One day following a particularly nasty hailstorm, you receive a knock on your front door. It’s roofing contractors, and they can replace your roof at no cost to you – it’s covered by your insurance.

Suspicious? You should be.

Roofing contractors (the not-so-reputable kind) spring into action following a storm, coaxing homeowners into okaying work that may or may not be needed and may or may not be covered by their insurance. So, despite how genuine the contractors may seem, it’s smart to remain wary until you work out a few key details. These scenarios and tips should help you sort out any confusion.

Contractors: Want to Take a Quick Look at Your Roof

You: Should Decline

The problem with this scenario is, if you let dishonest contractors onto your roof, they might do more than just look for damage. They might go so far as to cause damage. Why? They want a reason to replace your roof. There’s money in it for them, remember? So, if they don’t see a valid reason, they may attempt to create one.

When representatives from your insurance company come out to take a look, they will likely know the difference between actual storm damage and artificial damage. And, since you only have coverage for the former, according to the terms of your policy, you may have to pay out-of-pocket to repair the latter. So, leave the initial roof inspection to your insurance company or to someone you know and trust.

Contractors: Insist on Starting Work Right Away

You: Should Research, Not Rush

So, the contractors want to begin work right away and handle the insurance details later. All you need to do is sign. Not so fast. You haven’t been in touch with your insurance company, you don’t know anything about the roofers and you likely haven’t had a chance to read the fine print – all red flags.

This is when you stop and ask for the roofers’ business card and references and tell them you may be in touch. Then contact your insurance company, which can likely recommend a reputable roofing contractor in your area. If you wish, look into the other contractors’ reputation online, such as with the Better Business Bureau or other online review sources.

Contractors: Say Your Insurance Company Will Pay the Entire Cost of a New Roof

You: Need to Hear This From Your Carrier, Not a Contractor

Sure, a contractor may say you’re entitled to a new roof because a storm went through the area or because your neighbor’s getting a new roof. However, a random contractor doesn’t know the specifics of your homeowners insurance policy. That’s why it’s important to start with your insurance company when facing the need for potential roof repairs or a potential roof replacement following a storm. This allows you to understand whether or not you have coverage for the scenario at hand. It also helps you know how much you may need to pay out of your own pocket, such as your deductible. And, isn’t that nice to know upfront?

Contractors: Want You to Assign Your Insurance Benefits to Them

You: Should Be Very Cautious

Say you assign your insurance benefits to roofing contractors, who claim this will make the whole process quicker and easier. The problem here is that you may end up being scammed. The contractor may pocket the insurance money and skip town before finishing your roof repairs.

The bottom line is this: Rushing into roof repairs or a roof replacement may leave you on the line for some or all of the costs. So, be wary of contractors going door-to-door in your neighborhood, and contact your insurance company at once if you suspect you have roof damage following a storm.

If you still find yourself hiring or interacting with a roofer, here are some tips:

5 Tips for Dealing With a Roofing Contractor

Ask for the contractor’s license number (if your state licenses roofers) and insurance information. Also write down the person’s license plate number and, if possible, driver’s license number.
If you allow unfamiliar contractors to inspect your roof, be sure to supervise them. However, it’s best not to let them onto your roof at all.
Be especially wary of contractors who say replacing your roof won’t cost a thing. They may even claim they’ll pay your deductible for you.
Never sign a contract with blanks. Get everything in writing: Cost, scope of work, time frame, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations. And, read every contract carefully, paying particular attention to any “assignment of benefits” language.
Don’t pay in full or sign a certificate of completion until the work is done and you’re satisfied with the outcome.

Finally, one last warning: Contractors may try to pull similar scams with windows, siding or driveways following a storm, so be wary.

We know it can all seem a little daunting. We just want you to be aware of some scenarios you may encounter so you can protect yourself. Because, while not all roofing companies engage in disreputable behavior, some of them certainly do.

So, remember, get in touch with your independent insurance agent or your insurance company first to deal with storm damage. Doing so may just help you avoid unsavory characters and contract conditions.

With pricey tuition to pay and books to buy, renters insurance isn't exactly something that most college kid's think about, but in some cases that could be a big mistake.

Students who live on campus typically don't have to worry about renters insurance: Their parents' homeowner's insurance policy should cover the loss or damage of most items as long as the policy includes so-called 'off-premise coverage.'

However, once you move off-campus and start paying rent, you are no longer covered by your parents' policy. While renting the Landlord will typically cover the building but not the tenant's belongings. The Landlord is not responsible for any of the tenant's damaged or stolen items. Also, if one roommate has a renters insurance policy, don't expect it to cover all the other roomates stuff, too. Most rental insurance policies only cover the belongings of the policyholder.

So what does renters insurance cover? There are three basic types of protection: personal possessions, liability and additional living expenses.

Personal possession protection covers your belongings if they are lost or damaged due to a fire, vandalism or theft among other things.

Liability protection kicks in if, say, your dog bites the neighbor, or someone slips and gets hurt while at a party at your place. It not only helps cover any medical expenses but, in some cases, can pay for your legal fees if you get sued.

Meanwhile, if you are displaced by a storm or a fire, additional living expenses coverage will typically cover the cost of a hotel, or a temporary rental until you can move back home.

The cost of renters insurance is typically pretty affordable -- on average, it costs $184 a year -- but the amount will vary depending on the location and size of the rental unit and how much coverage you need, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

With the kids heading back to school, you may be thinking about putting some of your older ones on wheels. But what are the best cars for a teen driver?

Coming up with the right model can be a challenge, but there are some important factors to keep in mind, safety first and foremost. So, while your teen might have a BMW, M3, Ford Mustang or Volkswagon Golf R high on their list, you're likely to look for something a bit more practical and affordable. You don't want to strain your household budget or stretch the thin wallet of a teen heading off to college. Affordability also involves more than just the up-front price. You also have to consider fuel and insurance costs. Teens typically get socked with hefty premiums, though you can bring that down with the right car. The good news is that it's possible to hand your teen driver keys to a car they'll enjoy and that you can afford and feel confident in as far as safety.

Below is a list of the top 10 cars for teens, accourding to a new study by Cars.com. The list, which is not ranked in order of preference, factors in total cost of ownership and only includes models that have earned a top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

1. Honda Fit

2. Kia Soul

3. Mazda 3

4. Chevy Sonic

5. Hyundai Elantra

6. Subaru Impreza

7. Toyota Prius

8. Volkswagon Golf

9. Jeep Renegade

10. Ford Focus

Click here to read more details about each vehicle.