• Liability limits- This is the actual amount that the customer wants to insure his/her vehicle against.
• Type of vehicle- Different car models attracts different rates of insurance.
• Vehicle usage- The actual mileage on the vehicle will determine the tendency to which it is prone to break down and maybe cause harm.
• Age and sex of driver- Different age groups and genders will tend to be more erratic drivers and thus more accident prone.
• Driving record- The number of tickets and traffic offences committed will tend to affect the rate.
• Amount of coverage- This is the amount of compensation one expects.
• Garaging zip code
• Various discounts for students, professionals, garage parking

In California, the speed limit in Cities is 65 mph while on highways it is 70 mph. The blood alcohol percentage limit is 0.08. There is an Open Container Law that states that both the driver and passenger of vehicles are prohibited from possessing open alcohol. Usage of handheld cell phones while driving is restricted. In fact, school and transit bus drivers are prohibited from using any cell phone while driving. A 4-month suspension of a vehicle license will result from a first DUI – DWI offense.  Driving privileges may be restored under certain circumstances after at least 30 days following suspension.

Trends from previous years can however aid in trying to determine what the rates are like for this period in time.  In 2008, for example, auto insurance premiums in California averaged $832.69 per annum. This represented a change of 0.60 percent from the previous year when rates averaged at $827.78. The 2008 figures indicate that liability coverage averaged at $483.44, collision at $358.39, and comprehensive at about $115.89. There were 19 states that had higher average premiums and 30 with lower premiums. In 2007, there were 18 states with higher rates than California. Taking a look at a longer trend, premiums for car insurance in California in 2000 averaged $672.23 and in 2005 at $711.82.