Safety Technology Can Mean Savings on Insurance Premiums

Car insurance premiums are affected by a number of factors, but one thing that is often overlooked by consumers is the safety features on their vehicle. Safety features can reduce the likelihood of accident, injury, or theft. Therefore, they can also reduce your insurance premiums as they will reduce the chances that the insurance company will pay out a claim. Insurance agents should be made aware of any such features on a vehicle so that they can quote the lowest rates possible.

Side Airbags

Side airbags can minimize the likelihood of injury in the event of an accident. A claim made for an injury to the driver or a passenger will affect the bodily injury portion of the vehicle coverage. Side airbags has become more standard in newer vehicles over recent years. Studies have shown that side air bags can make an accident 70 percent less likely to be fatal.

Anti-Theft Devices and Car Alarms

Anti-theft devices and car alarms make it more difficult for someone to break into the vehicle. In the United States, a vehicle is broken into every 26 seconds. Statistics will report that over 70 percent of these that are cars that have no type of anti-theft device or car alarm to deter the predator. While these items don’t make it impossible for the vehicle to be a victim of this crime, it does make it more difficult.

Tracking Devices

A tracking device on a car will make it easier to recover in the event that the vehicle is stolen. Many vehicles are equipped with GPS devices that can tell authorities the location of the car. These devices include a transmitter that is attached to the vehicle that is activated once a theft is reported. There are many systems and devices currently on the market including On Star and LoJack.

Anti-Lock Brakes

Anti-lock brakes are a safety feature that makes it less likely to be involved in an accident. Anti-lock brakes automatically pump the brakes in wet, slick, and hazardous driving conditions which will reduce the chances that the brakes will lock up and the driver will lose control of the vehicle.

Electronic Stability Control

Electronic stability control is a computerized system that monitors the vehicles’ response to the driver’s input. This system will make the necessary adjustments to the car when the sensors are triggered. Statistics have shown that accidents that involve a car equipped with an electronic stability control system are 50 percent less likely to be fatal.

The amount that each of these safety features will actually decrease car insurance premiums will vary from policy to policy. However, they each make claims less likely and reduce the financial risk that the insurance company faces and that is passed along to the customer in reduced premiums. It is always in the best interest of the policy holder to seek out ways to save, and several of these features are standard on some vehicles.

Alan Reed is a freelance writer for www.carinsurance.org.uk, a website that can help you find affordable car insurance to match the safety features on your car.