Car insurance companies use several factors when calculating your auto insurance premiums. They include your car, its value, associated risks, your credit scores, and your age. The car you drive is a major factor in their decision-making. The agents assess the risks related to the automobiles, including the safety ratings, what equipment it has, and how powerful the engine is.
They also consider how much it will cost to replace it if it’s a total loss after an accident. From high-performance capabilities to the rarity of the car, auto insurance carriers evaluate all probabilities. Let’s review the 15 things that make some cars more expensive to insure.
Car insurance companies use several factors when calculating your auto insurance premiums. They include your car, its value, associated risks, your credit scores, and your age. The car you drive is a major factor in their decision-making. The agents assess the risks related to the automobiles, including the safety ratings, what equipment it has, and how powerful the engine is.
They also consider how much it will cost to replace it if it’s a total loss after an accident. From high-performance capabilities to the rarity of the car, auto insurance carriers evaluate all probabilities. Let’s review the 15 things that make some cars more expensive to insure.
1. High-Performance Engines
Automobiles with high-performance engines are more likely to accelerate to greater speeds in seconds. They are powerful automobiles and could increase the risk of an accident, especially if the driver speeds. Insurers consider the cost of replacing these high-performance engines when calculating insurance rates.
2. Luxury Vehicles
All luxury vehicles have a hefty price tag, and consequently, you’ll pay a lot for auto insurance. The value of the automobile plays a role in calculating the insurance rates, and the replacement value of luxury cars is considerably higher than for average vehicles. Luxury car owners are also more likely to get comprehensive and collision insurance.
3. High Theft Rate
Criminal statistics show that cars, including the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, as well as the Kia Optima have a high theft rate. The automobiles are more economical for consumers and are more readily available in public spaces. They are easier to break into, and studies show that car thieves can sell them faster.
4. Advanced Technology Features
Automobiles with advanced technology features, the Toyota Prius have more features that could become obsolete later. These tech features control primary functions of the vehicles, and upgrades are necessary. For example, self-driving capabilities can cause an accident if they malfunction. If the owner doesn’t get the upgrades, the risk of an accident increases, requiring more coverage.
5. Limited Edition and Rare Models
Limited edition and rare models, like Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Bugatti aren’t readily available. If you own one and are involved in an accident, it’s less likely that you can find an immediate replacement. Their rarity makes them more expensive to insure because of the replacement costs for the insurer.
6. Sports Cars
Sports cars have high-powered engines and sleek bodies. They are also faster than the average car and more valuable. Insurers will charge more for all sports cars than a standard vehicle. Additionally, the color of your sports car can also increase the cost of insuring it.
7. Cars With Fewer Safety Features
The Mitsubishi Mirage received a low safety rating due to its poor crash performance and high fatality rates. Chevy Spark has poor side impact protection. Cars that have fewer safety features are less likely to protect you and passengers during an accident. These risks increase the cost of insuring the cars.
8. Low Safety Ratings
Cars with low safety ratings are more likely to be a total loss in an auto accident. The domestic vehicles with the lowest safety rating are the Kia K5 and Mitsubishi Mirage. These cars lack the safety features required to protect you during impact. In fact, the Mitsubishi Mirage is known to have a higher than average fatality risk in an accident.
9. Electric and Hybrid Cars
Electric and hybrid cars are more expensive to insure because of battery risks. These cars include Chevy Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq, and Tesla Y. Some electric car batteries are known to explode under certain circumstances. Tesla batteries are among the electric car batteries with the highest risks.
10. Turbocharged Engines
Cars with turbocharged engines are also considered a risk, especially if they are owned by a driver under 25. The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. The engine makes the car extraordinarily fast, and the car can accelerate to high speeds quickly. The cost of replacing the engine is astronomical.
11. Modified Cars and High Performance Capabilities
Automobiles that are modified with high performance capabilities increase auto accident risks. Cars, including Ford Mustang, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Toyota Supra, and Mazda MX-5 Miata are often modified for street racing. Their high-performance capabilities can make them faster and lightweight. These changes and upgrades could cause an accident under precarious circumstances.
12. SUVs
The price of SUVs increases your insurance rates. These vehicles may also have additional features, such as television monitors installed into headrests. Some SUV models like Jeeps are often top-heavy and more likely to flip at high speeds. These increased risks could mean high auto insurance premiums.
13. Cars That Are Expensive to Replace
Luxury automobiles, like Rolls Royce and Bugatti are more costly to replace if they are a total loss. If you have a vintage model, the replacement cost accelerates. Insurers look at how much they’d have to pay out if you’re involved in an accident, and the car is totaled.
14. Newer Car Models
All brand-new cars will cost more to insure, and you will have to pay the tax on the automobile when registering it. If you’ve financed the car, you will need comprehensive and collision insurance. The total value of the car determines how much you’ll pay in insurance premiums.
15. Cars That Are Popular With Young Drivers
Younger drivers are more likely to buy cars that have great fuel economy due to budgetary constraints. However, those with unlimited means may buy a sports car. Since drivers under 25 pay more than any other insured drivers, the premiums will be expensive.