11/26/2010
Motorists who reside in congested cities typically find themselves paying more for auto insurance. All the traffic makes a driver more likely to be involved in an accident, which could potentially lead to thousands of dollars in damage.
Rush hour and peak holiday seasons can lead to motorists spending even more time sitting in traffic. Recently, Navteq established a list of American cities that are the most backed up.
Two locations in New York City take the top two spots on the list. Brooklyn's Battery Tunnel takes first place followed by the George Washington Bridge. Overall, New York City has the worst rush hour traffic. Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles round out the top five cities.
Navteq recommends motorists use websites or phone applications to check on traffic status before heading out. While that may be helpful to avoiding traffic, it won't help with auto insurance premiums.
Motorists who want to reduce their costs should be reminded that their location and commute are literally driving their costs upwards. Those who don't drive frequently may benefit from an insurance option where they are monitored and offered a reduced rate for not driving as far.