When you are thinking of buying a home or renting a new apartment, a lot of things likely go through your mind. You think about where that home is located compared to schools, work, family and friends. You think about how much the mortgage will be, what the taxes and homeowners insurance will be for that area. But do you think about what the home you choose will do to your car insurance rates?

If you're like most people, you don't even realize there is a correlation. You think that your insurance rates relate to the car you drive and your driving history. But there is much more to the detailed mathematical equation that comes from car insurance companies than that.

Crime Rate

One of the things your auto insurance company will be looking at is the crime rate in the area where you are going to be driving. The higher the crime rate, the more of a chance that you and your car will be the victims of some sort of crime. That means there is a higher risk your car will be damaged or stolen and that you will have to call them to file a claim.

Population

The population in your area also has an impact on your car insurance rates. The more people that live in an area, the higher the rate of accidents. It's a simple numbers game, and one the auto insurance companies take a note of to get an idea of how much of a chance you will be involved in a crash.

Driving Conditions

How good are the driving conditions where you are? The road system is better in some areas than others. The more safety measures are in place in your region, the more likely you will be able to get lower rates on your car insurance. Cities with a number of safety provisions in place on the roads as well as well signed and lighted roads are considered safer for driving.

Driving Distance

If you are living in a home that is far away from the city and most places of work, you will be likely forced to pay higher insurance rates because of it. When it comes to the location of your home, insurance companies do take a look at where the home you are getting is compared to your place of work. The more you have to drive every day, the higher the chance that you will get into an accident.