When you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, many factors come into play. Thinking about how a car will affect your auto insurance bill is a smart step. Insurance companies often reward vehicles that are safer or harder to steal. This can lead to lower costs for you. Here are 5 vehicle features that can help lower your auto insurance bill. It is wise to consider these before you buy.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Modern cars often come with smart systems that help drivers stay safe. These are called Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, or ADAS. They are designed to prevent accidents.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system can sense when a crash is about to happen and apply the brakes if the driver does not react quickly enough.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): This feature alerts the driver if the car starts to drift out of its lane without the turn signal being used.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): This system warns drivers about vehicles in their blind spots, which are areas they cannot see in their mirrors.
Cars equipped with these technologies are seen as less likely to be in certain types of accidents. Because of this, insurance providers may offer discounts.
Anti-Theft Devices
A car that is harder to steal is less of a risk for insurance companies. Vehicles with built-in anti-theft features often qualify for lower insurance rates.
- Engine Immobilizers: These devices prevent the engine from starting unless the correct key or fob is used. This makes it very difficult for thieves to hotwire a car.
- Car Alarms: A loud alarm can scare off potential thieves and alert others to a problem.
- GPS Tracking Systems: If a car is stolen, a GPS tracker can help locate it quickly. This increases the chance of recovery.
Having these features means your car is better protected, and that can translate to savings on your policy.
Excellent Safety Ratings
Independent organizations test cars for how well they protect passengers in a crash. Vehicles that earn top safety ratings show they are built to withstand impacts.
- Look for ratings from groups like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- A car with high marks for crashworthiness and crash avoidance is often considered safer.
Insurance companies notice these ratings. A car that protects its occupants well can mean fewer injury claims, which can reduce your insurance costs.
Multiple Airbags and Strong Frame Design
Beyond advanced electronics, basic safety features are still very important. The number of airbags and the strength of the car’s frame play a big role in safety.
- Many modern vehicles include airbags not just in the front, but also on the sides, for the head, and even for the knees. More airbags mean more protection for everyone inside.
- A car’s frame is its skeleton. A strong frame helps absorb the force of a crash, keeping the passenger area safer.
These features reduce the risk of serious injuries in an accident. When injuries are less likely, insurance companies may offer a better rate.
Low-Speed Automatic Braking
Some vehicles have systems that specifically help prevent or lessen the impact of crashes at lower speeds. These often happen in parking lots or slow traffic.
- This feature uses sensors to detect obstacles in front of the car. If the driver does not brake, the car can apply the brakes on its own.
- These systems are very helpful in avoiding fender-benders or reducing their severity.
Since many small accidents occur at low speeds, this feature can significantly reduce the number of claims. This proactive safety measure is often rewarded with a lower auto insurance bill.