When you're accustomed to paying a cheap rate for your auto insurance, it can be shocking to open your bill to find your monthly premium has increased unexpectedly. With no changes in your driving habits, you may be wondering why you're suddenly paying more. Here are two possible reasons.

Speed Limits Changed in Your Area

Every so often, the government will raise the speed limit in an area. Sometimes, it's because they studied traffic conditions and found the existing limit was set too low. Other government officials may do so under the idea that higher speeds lead to lower traffic accidents.

Unfortunately, these higher limits often result in increased insurance rates for everyone who lives in the impacted area. Insurance companies generally believe higher speeds brings a greater risk of auto accidents. So, when the speed limit goes up, insurance companies will charge customers who live in that area more in anticipation of the rise in insurance claims for vehicle collisions.

While you can't do anything about a speed limit hike, there are a couple of things you can do to get your insurance premiums lowered. If you haven't had any accidents in the previous 5 years, ask about a safe driver discount. Since this discount is applied to every driver in the home, it could potentially save you a lot of money.

Another option is to sign up for a driving monitoring program. The insurance company will send you a device that tracks your driving habits and give you a discount for being responsible on the road. Although you do lose a bit of privacy, this program may help return your premiums to their former cheap level.

You Had Someone Move in with You

Another reason you received a higher bill for your insurance is because you had someone move into your home. Depending on the state, your auto insurance policy may be written to cover every driver in the home regardless of whether they have their own insurance. So, when someone moves in with you, your insurance provider may automatically add them to your account and charge you accordingly.

Luckily, this is easily fixed by formally excluding the person from your policy. You'll need to send a written notice to your insurance company stating you don't want the individual covered by your policy. The person's name will remain on the policy, but you won't be charged for them because the insurance company won't pay out if they are involved in an accident.

For more information about reducing your premiums or help finding cheap auto insurance, contact a local provider like Illinois Insurance Center Inc.