safety features
Safety

Safety Features That Impact Car Insurance

Check out any new vehicle and you’re sure to be impressed by all the fancy safety features that are added. Some come standard with each model no matter the brand while others are specific to a brand or as part of special packages and higher trim levels. When it comes to saving money on car insurance, all safety features aren’t the same.

Here are the safety features that have the biggest impact on your auto insurance policy

Anti-lock brakes

Antilock brakes have been around for many years, and car insurance providers see the value in having them. They are now standard equipment on passenger models, and you can get a discount for them with most insurance providers. The discounts will vary by provider though. A few states, like New York and New Jersey, require the providers to give a discount but don’t provide percentages.

Airbags

Airbags have been required on passenger models since the late 1990s. Only frontal airbags are necessary, but most models include side airbags as standard. Inflatable safety belts and other airbags may be included. One of the newer options is the knee airbag for the driver and front passenger. The more airbags you have, the more of a discount provided for most insurance carriers.

Electronic Stability Control

ESC is another technology that has been around for quite some time. It became standard in every passenger vehicle by 2012. It keeps the vehicle from going out of control or flipping over with a hard turn on slippery surfaces. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, collision coverage is about 15% less for vehicles that have this system over those that don’t.

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime running lights aren’t required, but you will find them as a standard safety feature on most models. They provide better illumination in the daytime. In addition, daytime running lights are great for lower lighting conditions. For example, on a cloudy days before it is dark enough for the automatic headlights to come on.

Automatic Seat Belts

Seat belts that automatically fasten when the engine starts or door closes can provide another discount on car insurance. You won’t find them on a lot of newer vehicles because they are equipped with airbags. However, you can save some money if you own an older model that still comes with these seat belts.

Rearview Cameras

Rearview or backup cameras are some of the best safety features. Many insurance providers offer discounts for vehicles equipped with this technology. Fortunately, safety organizations advocated for these innovative cameras to become standard on all modern models. Many studies have indicated that they cut down on the number of accidents from the driver backing up in a parking lot or out of their driveway. 

Why other safety features aren’t included in car insurance discounts

There are plenty of other cool safety technologies out there for vehicles today. So, why aren’t car insurance providers offering more discounts?

Consider blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and lane detection. Studies show these features can reduce accidents. Many drivers believe those safety features do save them money on their insurance policies.

Unfortunately, auto insurance savings aren’t quite that simple. First, the technology to make the vehicle safer also makes it more expensive to insure. Take front and rear parking sensors as an example. They can warn you of an obstacle in your way as you start to move forward or in reverse. However, they can more than double the cost of replacing a bumper if someone else hits you.

There’s also not enough data to determine how much safer this technology makes a vehicle. Driver error must be computed into the equation. You can also effectively shut off some technology features. 

Talk to your insurance provider about safety features

The bottom line is that insurance providers set their own discounts in most cases. When you get a new vehicle or if you’re doing research for one, talk to your insurance provider first to find out what safety discounts would apply to you. Don’t have one? Visit Insurify to compare prices and decide on the best one. 

 

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Joyce Morse Farinella
Hello! My name’s Joyce Morse Farinella and I’m a full-time writer who loves to research interesting and strange topics and explain them to others. I also enjoy hanging out with my daughter and being a foster parent. I love to travel and hang out at home, getting writing inspiration from both."

    3 Comments

    1. It’s unfortunate that insurance will go up if the driver has been in an accident even if it was the other driver’s fault. Why is Florida a no fault state..

    2. best car cleaning tips thank you
      Alliance Motors & Body Repairs

    3. It’s nice that auto insurance companies offer some discounts.

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