Safe Cars = Insurance Savings

Did you know that an ABS (anti-lock braking system) in your car can save you money on auto insurance premiums? Similarly, there are several other safety features that you can incorporate into your car to help you save money on your auto insurance. There are several factors that are considered while calculating auto insurance premiums and safety in one of the most important. How safe is your car?

What is a Safe Car?

There’s a ton of choices available when shopping for a new car. Some people don’t realize that safety is a very important consideration when buying a car. The safety rating of your car will determine which of the various discounts you’ll qualify for. Just because your car has daytime running lights or airbags doesn’t mean that they are safe; there are several other features that you need to look for. In fact, one of the best ways to buy a car is by first checking out how car safety is evaluated by auto insurance companies.

Safety Features Considered in Auto Insurance

There are several safety aspects that are taken into account by an auto insurance company before they can offer you a low premium and discounts on your car insurance policy. Let us take a look at some of the safety features that are a ‘must have’:

• Crashworthiness of a car: You can find detailed information on this at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers vehicle ratings based on different testing and procedures like side crash tests and high speed front. IIHS also takes into account head or seat restraints with respect to neck and head injuries during a rear impact. Some of the other tests conducted for overall safety of a vehicle include front and rear full-width impact at 6 mph and front/rear corner impact at 3 mph for testing bumpers. They have recently come out with a roof crush rating system as well. You should check their website as most auto insurance companies refer to their website for security ratings.

• Design of a car: Your car’s design will play an important role when auto insurance companies are considering how safe your car is. Some of the safest cars are the SUV’s or sport utility vehicles because they are not prone to rollovers and thus pose less risk than sedans. In sedans, smaller sports cars, and family cars there is a higher risk of personal injury as well as physical damage. So if you own a car that is less prone to rollovers then you can expect a lower premium as well.

• Passive Restraint Systems: Passive restraint systems are basically utilities or features within a car that will help in keeping the occupants of a car safe during an accident. There are different types of Passive Restraint Systems available, including seat belts, air bags — front and side, and head restraints. These will protect you or other occupants of your car against any injury caused by an accident. An airbag will protect your head from hitting the windshield, dashboard or the steering wheel and thus prevent major injuries. Most auto insurance companies will offer discounts on the policy if your car is equipped with airbags.

• Antilock Braking system: Having an ABS or an anti-locking braking system installed on your car will minimize the risk of a major accident and also help lower your auto insurance premiums. The ABS is considered as an advanced security feature in cars because it will prevent the wheels of your car from locking when you apply the brakes at high speed. As a result, it will give your car better control while skidding and offer traction control. ABS was initially developed for aircrafts but is now becoming a regular feature in several cars. It is an integral feature in car safety and is taken into consideration by all auto insurance companies.

• Daytime Running Lights: This is one safety feature that is disregarded by many car owners but it is an important aspect from a car safety perspective and will affect your auto insurance premiums. The daytime running light is a safety feature that is used for increasing the visibility of your car. You can get good discounts on your policy from an auto insurance company for having daytime running lights on your car.

At the end of the day, you need to remember that you shouldn’t buy a safe car to get a discount on your auto insurance premium but to ensure the safety of you and your family!

April 29, 2009, Posted by Rainy Day Mitch