The Car You Buy Impacts the Price of Auto Insurance

When it comes to car shopping, most people look at sticker price and monthly payments first and don’t think about insurance costs until after the deal is made. If you plan to purchase a new car soon and want lower insurance bills, here are things to consider to help you save:

• Sticker price and cost to repair. It’s a simple fact, the more a car costs to repair or replace, the higher the insurance bill. Luxury cars and expensive imports are among the costliest, consistently topping lists of the most expensive cars to insure.

• Crash test results. Expect to pay higher premiums for vehicles with poor crash test ratings, and lower premiums for vehicles that perform well. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an insurance organization that rates vehicle crashworthiness. To see how your vehicle measures up, visit www.highwaysafety.org.

• Safety features. Choosing a car with the latest safety features not only gives you greater peace of mind, but rewards you with a lower insurance bill. Many insurance companies give discounts for features that reduce the likelihood of an accident or that help prevent injury. Look for vehicles equipped with front and side impact airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes.

• Likelihood of being stolen. Cars that are most attractive to thieves also cost more to insure. For better security and possibly lower insurance premiums, consider equipping your car with anti-theft features such as a car alarm or immobilizing or tracking devices.

Of course, when shopping for new wheels, perhaps the easiest and quickest way to eliminate the guessing is to call your local AAA Insurance Agency for a free, no obligation quote.