Q: I’ve recently moved here and my Nampa SR22 rates are higher than they were in Boise. Do you know why this is?

A: Change of scenery can often cause a rise or drop in your car insurance rates, so that your Nampa SR22 is more expensive than your Boise SR22 is no surprise. Unlike other circumstances, though, there’s not much you can do about this particular raise other than trying to keep your car insurance premium low via other strategies and discounts.

Car insurance costs more in more populated areas, so if you moved from Boise’s suburbia to downtown Nampa, your Nampa SR22 car insurance will cost more. The same goes for if you previously lived in a rural area, and have moved to a more suburban or urban area.

Also, car insurance companies base their rates on the statistics they gather from their claims database. The qualities of the people who file the claims are considered when examining the risk of other policy holders. So, if in your location, more theft or collision claims are filed than are in where you use to live in Boise, your Nampa SR22 will cost more.