You’re probably already aware that the more miles you spend on the road, the higher your chances of an accident. Your insurance company knows that, too, and that’s why they use your mileage to determine your accident risk. But just how must does your car’s mileage have to do with your insurance premiums? A new study found out and has interesting outcomes for people living in California. It turns out that more mileage is dangerous from an insurance perspective as well as for your risk of an accident in San Diego or elsewhere around California.

Did you know that auto insurance companies look at many different factors when it comes to identifying the premium that you will pay? This is particularly true as it relates to your mileage but many people overlook this questions when applying for insurance or filling out a quote online. According to a new study from insuranecquotes.com, in the majority of U.S. states mileage is important.  A survey separated drivers that had higher annual mileage into three various buckets. Those people who went from driving 5,000 miles a year up to 10,000 miles saw their premiums spike by 7%, whereas those who increased their driving to 15,000 or 20,000 miles saw increases of 8% and 9% accordingly. In certain states, the costs of driving are even higher and it may come as no surprise that California is one such location. Anyone who increased from 5,000 to 20,000 miles would see a 26% boost in their car insurance premiums.

A 1988 law known as Proposition 103 explains why Californians face such significant increases in insurance premiums. One factor that is evaluated in California is credit reports which play a crucial role in how insurance companies rate drivers. Consumer advocates argue that it is discriminatory to use a person’s home location, job, and credit rating to set car insurance rates. Every California driver who admits that his or her mileage increased by 15,000 miles a year will see up to $1,000 higher in premium. If you were involved in a car accident, however, and the insurance company finds that you lied about mileage, you do risk a claim being denied. It is important to be honest on all of your insurance application materials.