Car Insurers Like Rich People Better

A meticulous driving record isn't enough to keep your insurance premiums down—it helps to be rich, reports AOL Autos. A new study by the Consumer Federation of America found that insurers often charge good drivers with low incomes more than lousy drivers with high incomes. The study sought estimates in 12 cities for two hypothetical women: a receptionist with no college education who rents an apartment and has no accidents on her record versus a married executive with a master's who owns a home and has a recent at-fault accident.

Big insurers Farmers, Geico, and Progressive gave the receptionist a higher quote in all 12 cities. "We're talking more than pocket change," writes AOL's Pete Bigelow. "In more than 60% of cases studied, the safer driver was charged at least 25% more than the one with a checkered driving record." One notable exception: State Farm gave the receptionist a cheaper quote in all the cities. (More auto insurance stories.)