Buying a Car with Insurance Premiums in Mind
Optimal protection in an accident is just one reason to purchase a safe car. Your car insurance rates will be lower by owning one as well. What should you look for in a safe car so you can qualify for these lower rates?
Newer is usually better
Newer cars tend to have more safety features. If you have the means, you might want to start there. Some of these characteristics include keyless locks, shoulder harnesses, airbags, and car alarms. You will be better off with having more of these safety features included as original equipment. Most insurance companies will offer you substantial discounts for these features. However, you can always talk to your car insurance agent about adding some of these features later, and you should get your premiums re-adjusted for doing so.
Fast cars equals high premiums
Four door cars are better for safety than two door models, and you should look for one when shopping for a car. The younger crowd might consider four door cars less than exciting, but in an accident, these cars are usually safer. Two door cars generally boast higher horsepower engines, and can be considered sports cars, meaning higher premiums. You need as many discounts as you can find when insuring a teenage driver, since teens are generally higher risk, and rates are higher for them.
Cars that have been used in businesses, as rental cars, and have higher mileage are unlikely to be qualified as a particularly safe car. You should be cautious when buying a car that falls into the above categories, however there are always exceptions. Be aware however, that these cars are often not well maintained, and have often been driven excessively.
Think like a car thief
How easy and attractive is your new car going to be to potential thieves? This will strongly affect your premiums. A car that is popular among car thieves will often have a high performance engine, and will not necessarily be considered safe. Cars that are dependable, don’t stall, and run when you need them to are obviously going to attract cheaper premiums. Also be aware that your insurance rates can go up if you are driving an unsafe car and it causes you to have an accident.
Shop smart
You have to be satisfied with the car you buy at the end of the day, and there will obviously be budget constraints that impact your purchase. However, you can get discounts on your insurance if you get what providers consider a ’safe’ car – namely, one that is likely to be reliable and not driven in a ‘risky’ fashion – which means that high performance and modified cars will cost you. Some cars will garner you more discounts than others will.
If you are already shopping for a car, but are already considering some insurance companies, look into the different discounts offered. This way you can get the biggest discount on your insurance, find the safest car, and, and still be happy.
Filed Under: Insurance Tips
