Ever wondered what information insurance companies use to determine how much they are going to charge you for your Baton Rouge car insurance policy? Baton Rouge residents are aware that things like their driving record, mileage, and the amount of coverage they choose will factor into their policy cost. It may not be as obvious that the area in which you live will also impact the cost of your automobile insurance policy. Here's a little history that will explain the car insurance information detailed below.

Baton Rouge was given its name in 1699 when a French explorer named Sieur d’lberville led an expedition up the Mississippi. The group passed a pole marker that was dividing the hunting grounds of the Houma and Bayou Goula tribes.  The pole was covered with bloody fish and animals so they called the area “bloody stick” or le bâton rouge. During the time of European settlement governance of Baton Rouge changed hands several times. France, England, Spain, Louisiana, the Florida Republic, the Confederate States and finally the Unites States each in turn had dominion over Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1950s and 1960s with the development of the petrochemical industry. In 2000, Baton Rouge became one of the fastest growing cities in the southern United States for technology. Another population expansion occurred in 2007 when the Baton Rouge area took in some 200,000 evacuees in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Today, the greater Baton Rouge area has an estimated population of 774,327 and ranks within the top 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Baton Rouge is the capitol of Louisiana and is its second largest city. The city has become a major industrial petrochemical and port center for the southern United States. This is not surprising since their port is 9th largest in the United States.

Baton Rouge is located along the Mississippi river on Istrouma Bluff in the southeastern part of Louisiana. Istrouma is the first bluff upriver from the Mississippi delta and provides the city some protection from flooding and other natural disasters. Baton Rouge gets additional protection from weather related damage to its riverfront and farmland from a levee system that extends from the bluff along the south shore. Of course, the weather of this region impacts your insurance rates.

Baton Rouge Car Insurance and Traffic Statistics

Traffic statistics for the area in which you drive will affect the rate that you are charged for your car insurance. If you do most of your driving in areas that have high rates of accidents, crash related injuries and fatalities; you will likely pay higher car insurance premiums. The state of Louisiana as a whole has experienced an 8.2% decline in the number of traffic related fatalities between 2007 and 2008. The drop is speculated to have been the result of a decrease in traffic volume due to higher fuel costs and poor economic conditions.

However, East Baton Rouge Parish had the states highest number of crash related injuries and deaths. East Baton Rouge Parish recorded 5,957 accident related injuries and 52 deaths. The high rate of traffic accidents is being attributed to higher traffic density that has resulted from the population swell that occurred as refugees of Hurricane Katrina relocated to the Baton Rouge area. It is estimated that in the aftermath of Katrina 200,000 people made Baton Rouge their new home.

Even if you live in an area with poor traffic statistics, insurance companies will give discounts to motorists with good driving records. If your driving record is less than exemplary, you can take a defensive driving course to remove minor citations or get defensive driving practice at an auto cross course.

Auto Theft Rates and Baton Rouge Car Insurance

Baton Rouge auto insurance companies will take auto theft rates in your area into account when determining the rate they will give you for your car insurance. Areas where there are high rates of theft naturally have a higher risk that you will need to file this type of claim. In 2006, Baton Rouge ranked 12th highest in the United States for auto theft. Many times insurance companies will give discounts for motorists that purchase anti-theft devices. These can include audible and visible devices like alarms or wheel and steering wheel locks, immobilizing devices like smart keys, and tracking devices that can help police rapidly locate your vehicle after a theft has occurred.

Baton Rouge Car Insurance and Car Type

The model car you drive can also affect your Baton Rouge car insurance rates, especially in areas with high car theft rates and high accident rates. As it turns out, thieves are kind of particular about what types of cars they prefer to steal. Among the cars that thieves like the best are the Cadillac Escalade, the Honda Civic, the Toyota Camry, and the Honda Accord.

Those models that are least likely to be stolen include the Toyota Prius, Ford Taurus, and the Volkswagen Beetle. If you choose to drive a model car that is less likely to be stolen, you will save money on your car insurance. In addition, if you choose to drive a car that is less costly to repair, has a lower horse power engine or a good safety rating it can in part reduce the affect of high accident rates on you insurance costs.

Compare Baton Rouge Car Insurance Quotes!

Certainly, where you live will impact your premiums but rates can also fluctuate from one insurance company to another. Once you understand what geographic factors are working against you and compensate for any that you can, it is wise to get quotes from several companies so that you know you are getting the best possible deal. You can use our free Baton Rouge car insurance quote tool to compare several options before you commit to one insurer. Enter your zip to start now!