How Vehicle Features Affect Car Insurance Rates (and How to Save Money)

Do you know how much your car’s features affect your car insurance rates? You might think that having a safer or more efficient car would lower your premiums, but that’s not always the case. Depending on what kind of features your car has, you could end up paying more or less for your coverage.

Car insurance rates are determined by many factors, such as your age, driving history, location, credit score, and coverage options. But one of the most important factors is your car itself. Insurance companies use data from past claims to assess how likely your car is to be involved in an accident, damaged, stolen, or totaled. Based on this risk assessment, they assign your car a rating that affects your premium.

In this article, we’ll explore how different types of vehicle features can influence your car insurance rates. We’ll also give you some tips on how to save money on your premiums by choosing the right features for your car.

Vehicle Features That Can Increase Car Insurance Rates

Some vehicle features can make your car more expensive to insure because they increase its value, performance, or attractiveness. These features may make your car more enjoyable to drive or look at, but they also make it more costly to insure, repair, or replace. Insurance companies may charge you more for your coverage if your car has features that make it:

• More likely to be involved in an accident, such as a turbocharger that boosts the engine power and speed
• More likely to be damaged in an accident, such as a spoiler that adds aerodynamic force but also increases the repair costs
• More likely to be stolen, such as a custom paint job that makes your car stand out and attract thieves
• More expensive to repair or replace, such as alloy wheels that are lighter and stronger but also pricier than steel wheels

Some examples of vehicle features that can increase your car insurance rates are:

• Turbochargers or superchargers: These devices increase the engine’s power and performance, but they also increase the risk of accidents and mechanical problems. According to Insurify, a turbocharged car can cost up to 12% more to insure than a non-turbocharged car .
• Spoilers: These are extensions on the rear of the car that improve the aerodynamics and stability, but they also add weight and complexity to the car. According to NerdWallet, a spoiler can increase your car insurance rates by 7% .
• Custom paint jobs: These are personalized colors or designs that make your car unique and stylish, but they also make it more attractive to thieves and vandals. According to CarInsurance.com, a custom paint job can increase your car insurance rates by 5% .
• Alloy wheels: These are wheels made of aluminum or magnesium alloys that are lighter and stronger than steel wheels, but they also cost more to repair or replace. According to The Zebra, alloy wheels can increase your car insurance rates by 3% .

These are just some of the vehicle features that can affect your car insurance rates. If you have any modifications or additions to your car, you should inform your insurance company and check how they will impact your premium.

Vehicle Features That Can Decrease Car Insurance Rates

Some vehicle features can make your car less expensive to insure because they reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, or theft. These features may make your car safer or more secure, and they may qualify you for discounts or lower claims costs. Insurance companies may charge you less for your coverage if your car has features that:

• Reduce the likelihood of an accident, such as a lane-departure warning system that alerts you if you drift out of your lane
• Reduce the severity of an accident, such as an airbag that cushions the impact and protects you from injuries
• Reduce the chance of theft, such as an alarm system that deters thieves and notifies you of any intrusion
• Reduce the cost of repair or replacement, such as a rear-view camera that helps you avoid collisions and scratches

Some examples of vehicle features that can decrease your car insurance rates are:

• Anti-lock brakes: These are brakes that prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding when you brake hard, allowing you to maintain control and steer away from danger. According to Insurify, anti-lock brakes can lower your car insurance rates by 10% .
• Airbags: These are inflatable cushions that deploy in a crash and protect you from hitting hard surfaces or objects inside the car. According to NerdWallet, airbags can lower your car insurance rates by 10% .
• Rear-view cameras: These are cameras mounted on the rear of the car that display a live video feed of what’s behind you on a screen in front of you, helping you avoid obstacles and collisions when reversing. According to Forbes Advisor, rear-view cameras can lower your car insurance rates by 5% .
• Alarm systems: These are devices that emit a loud noise or send a signal to your phone or a monitoring center when someone tries to break into your car, discouraging thieves and alerting you or the authorities. According to CarInsurance.com, alarm systems can lower your car insurance rates by 5% .

These are just some of the vehicle features that can affect your car insurance rates. If you have any safety or security features on your car, you should ask your insurance company about any discounts or savings they offer.

Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance Rates with Vehicle Features

Vehicle features can have a positive or negative impact on your car insurance rates, depending on how they affect your car’s value, performance, safety, and security. But you don’t have to settle for paying more or getting less for your coverage. You can take some steps to balance the benefits and costs of vehicle features and save money on your premiums. Here are some tips to help you:

• Compare insurance quotes before buying a car: Different insurance companies may have different ways of rating and pricing vehicle features, so it’s wise to shop around and compare quotes before you buy a car. You can use online tools like Insurify or NerdWallet to compare car insurance rates from hundreds of companies and find the best deal for your car and budget .
• Choose features that are widely available and easy to repair: Some features may be more common and cheaper to fix than others, which can lower your insurance rates. For example, a standard airbag may cost less to repair or replace than a side-curtain airbag, and a factory-installed alarm system may be more reliable and compatible than an aftermarket one. You can check the availability and repair costs of different features with your dealer or mechanic before you buy a car.
• Avoid unnecessary or excessive modifications: Some modifications may not add much value or performance to your car, but they may increase your insurance rates. For example, a custom paint job may make your car look cool, but it may also make it more prone to theft or vandalism. A spoiler may improve your car’s aerodynamics, but it may also increase its weight and complexity. Unless you really need or want these modifications, you may be better off avoiding them and saving money on your insurance.
• Maintain your car and its features: Keeping your car and its features in good condition can help you avoid accidents and claims, which can lower your insurance rates. You should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for regular maintenance and service, such as changing the oil, checking the tires, and replacing the brakes. You should also inspect and test your car’s features regularly, such as the airbags, alarm system, and rear-view camera, and fix any problems or malfunctions as soon as possible.

Vehicle features can have a significant impact on your car insurance rates, but they don’t have to break the bank or compromise your safety. By following these tips, you can choose the right features for your car and optimize your coverage and costs.

Conclusion

Vehicle features can affect your car insurance rates in different ways, depending on how they influence your car’s value, performance, safety, and security. Some features can increase your rates by making your car more expensive to insure, repair, or replace, while others can decrease your rates by reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, or theft.

In this article, we’ve explained how different types of vehicle features can influence your car insurance rates, and we’ve given you some tips on how to save money on your premiums by choosing the right features for your car.

We hope this article has informed you about the impact of vehicle features on car insurance rates and helped you make smart decisions about your cars and insurance policies. If you want to learn more about car insurance or compare quotes from different companies, you can visit Insurify.com or NerdWallet.com for more information and resources.

Do you have any questions or comments about vehicle features and car insurance rates? Let us know in the comments section below. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family who might find it useful.