Your Car Model And Auto Insurance Rates

When you are shopping around for a new car, one of the many considerations is how much the insurance on that particular model will cost. The differences between models can run into the hundreds of dollars, and that really adds up! But how do you know which cars cost more, and which cost less?

First, let's discuss the basics of howauto insurance rates are determined. Your personal driving history plays a huge factor, of course. But what about the car itself? The Insurance Services Office, or ISO, provides detailed quotes to the insurance companies on each model, and explains how much each one of them will cost to insure. The insurance rate on a particular model is based on a vehicle's loss history, the results of crash safety tests, how much it costs to replace or repair the vehicle, and how often that particular model is stolen.

These numbers are not available to the public. However, there is nothing to stop you from calling your insurance company before you purchase the vehicle in question. Ask for a quote on how much it might cost if you were to purchase that particular vehicle, and then compare it to quotes on other cars. The answer might help along your decision on which car to choose.

There are a few constants, however. As a rule of thumb, most two-door cars cost more to insure than four-door sedans, as the two-door cars are stolen more often. An SUV often costs more to insure because the SUV can cause major damage in a collision, and if that accident if your fault, the insurance company will have to pay the other party for the damages that big vehicle caused!

When you are shopping for a vehicle, be sure to look at all the factors that might affect the insurance quote before you make a decision. Your insurance agent can be a valuable resource, not just after you've purchased the vehicle, but long before you sign on the dotted line. If in doubt, give your agent a call.