Dad opens the renewal notice, looks at the total, and says the car is fine. He may be right about the car. But the premium is built from a short list of settings, and it can move even when nothing has been repaired. Here is what to check before anyone signs.
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What to do tonight
Find the declarations page, the one-page summary that lists each coverage, its limit, and its deductible. Keep it beside the renewal notice. For each line, write down the limit, the deductible, and which vehicle it covers. If the new total is higher, you will be able to see which line changed.
Ask him how much he drives now compared with when the policy started. Annual mileage is one of the things the insurer uses to set the rate, and a drop in driving can change the price. Ask whether anyone else now drives the car, too.
What moves the premium
The car itself. Age, model, repair cost, and safety features all feed the rate. On an older car, the collision coverage may cost more each year than the car is worth. Compare the yearly cost of that coverage with the car's current value. That comparison, not habit, is the decision.
Coverage limits. Higher liability limits cost more. Do not lower liability to save money until you have talked it through with the agent, because the limits decide what is paid if he is at fault in an accident.
The deductible. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium. Only choose a higher one if he could pay that amount from savings without strain. A deductible you cannot pay is not a saving.
The record. Accidents and tickets on the driving record raise the rate for a period of years. Ask the agent which items are on the report and how long each one counts.
Where the car sleeps. The address and the garage or street parking are rating factors. If he has moved, or plans to, tell the agent before the renewal date.
Discounts he may not have. Bundling home and auto with one company, safe-driver programs, anti-theft devices, and paying the term in full are common discounts. Ask the agent to list each discount applied, line by line, and ask which ones he qualifies for but is not getting.
How to compare fairly
Get quotes with the same liability limits, the same collision and comprehensive choices, and the same deductibles from at least two companies or two agents. A quote with lower coverage will look cheaper and tell you nothing.
Ask whether each quote is final or depends on a review. Check that the renewal total matches the quoted premium. If it does not, call and ask what changed.
Do not cancel the current policy until the new one has started. Ask for the written proof of coverage and confirm the start date in writing.
When to ask someone else
If the real question is whether he should still be driving, that belongs with his doctor, separate from the premium. Keep the insurance call about the paperwork, and bring the doctor's view to the family decision after that.