Today, there’s almost nothing that computers and digital cameras can’t do. But should they be traffic cops?
According to a study released in February 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red light cameras saved 159 lives in 14 cities between 2004 and 2008 by bringing down fatal accident rates at intersections. Red light camerasmonitor intersections and report red light infractions electronically, triggering a citation to the offending driver in the form of a letter from the municipality.
The IIHS study compared drops in fatal accident rates in almost 100 cities, including the 14 cities with cameras, against fatal accident rates for the same cities in the 1990s. Rates went down for all cities, partially because of better vehicle design. However, in cities using red light cameras, fatal crashes fell by 35 percent. For cities without cameras, the rate fell by just 10 percent to 14 percent.
A separate question-and-answer resource from the IIHS elaborates on why the cameras are used and why they are necessary. The IIHS identifies most red light runners as younger drivers who don’t wear seat belts and who have previous traffic citations — in other words, someone who will run a red light once likely will do it again.
There are alternatives to the cameras, like roundabouts and longer yellow-light times. But the IIHS contends that roundabouts are not a universal solution according to traffic engineers, and longer yellow-light times are largely ineffective. Also, the IIHS points out the dangers involved in police officers enforcing red light infractions: They often have drive through red lights to catch offenders.
Not everyone is on board with the use of red light cameras. Just as with other video surveillance technology, these electronic traffic cops have brought their fair share ofcriticism. The National Motorists Association opposes the cameras and claims that they can’t positively identify the driver, decrease efficiency at intersections and depend on the mail (an unreliable method) for the delivery of citations. A 2008 Florida Public Health Review article claims that red light cameras encourage abrupt (and possibly unsafe) stopping, which actually could cause more accidents.
Critics also contend that red light cameras may exist primarily to bring in money for municipalities. In addition to saving on police costs, the cities get all of that extra revenue from fines. Insurance companies might be profiting, too, according to the Florida Public Health Review article. Cameras might lead to higher auto insurancepremiums for drivers who end up with marks on their driving record, or who get in rear-end crashes because a driver stops suddenly at a yellow light to avoid a ticket.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
Back in June 1999, Stephen King was almost killed during a daily walk near his summer house in western Maine. As King describes in his memoir “On Writing,” a distracted driver had reached into the backseat of his van, trying to push his Rottweiler away from a cooler containing meat. The out-of-control van struck the famous writer head-on.
Four out of five drivers take their pets along for the ride, according to survey results released in August 2010 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Yet only 17 percent of these drivers use any form of pet safety restraint inside their vehicles.
When it comes to auto insurance, a distracted driving accident can cause premiums to spike. Some auto insurers may even refuse to renew coverage.
Moreover, if your pet is injured in a crash, car insurance might not cover pricey vet bills. While Progressive’s collision coverage pays up to $1,000 for pet injuries, mostauto insurance policies will not cover pet medical expenses. A separate pet health insurance policy is one way to cover the cost.
Pet distractions that cause accidents
Dogs can create dangerous distractions by barking, scratching and making sudden movements like sticking their heads out of car windows. Younger dogs and puppies are prone to motion sickness, while larger dogs can block the driver’s line of sight.
Dog owners can also initiate distracting behaviors.
Fifty-nine percent of participants in the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey acknowledged they engaged in at least one distracting action while driving with their pooches. Common diversions include:
- Petting dog (55 percent of respondents).
- Letting dog sit in driver’s lap (20 percent)
- Giving food and water (7 percent).
- Playing with dog (5 percent).
Unrestrained pets pose dangers
Unrestrained pets result in more than 30,000 auto accidents per year in the United States, as reported on the website of Paws to Click, a movement that promotes safe pet travel. That statistic translates to a loose pet causing an accident every 18 minutes.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey found that the chance of being in a car crash doubles after just two seconds of driver inattention.
According to a 2009 report by the Connecticut Office of Legislative Research, Hawaii is the only U.S. state that explicitly bans vehicle operators from:
- Holding animals in their laps.
- Allowing animals within the driver’s immediate vicinity.
Additional risks from unrestrained pets
The impact of a collision can launch an unsecured canine like a projectile inside a vehicle. Larger dogs can inflict grave injuries on human passengers, crushing bones and damaging internal organs.
“An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 miles per hour will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure,” Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA Traffic Safety Programs manager, said in a news release.
Another little-known risk is that front airbags deployed during a crash can kill pets sitting up front. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey results show that 26 percent of drivers have their dogs on the front seat.
After a crash, unrestrained pets can attack or otherwise impede emergency medical personnel from reaching critically injured persons trapped inside an automobile. Dogs thrown out of vehicles after a collision are shocked and disoriented. Some attack passersby, while others stumble in a daze on the road, causing other accidents.
Best protection for people, pets
By reducing pet distractions, safety products are a proactive way to prevent accidents — and higher auto insurance premiums.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey identified vehicle safety devices preferred by the 17 percent of drivers who use pet-restraint systems.
- Pet seat belt harness (52 percent of pet restraint users).
- Hard-sided pet travel crate (28 percent).
- Pet vehicle seat (18 percent).
- Soft-sided pet travel crate (13 percent).
- Vehicle pet barrier (9 percent).
Endorsed by the national Bark Buckle UP campaign, pet seat belts are the No. 1 pet safety product. They constrain dogs from distracting the driver and protect pets from being thrown after a collision.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
Your U.S. auto insurance coverage may be well above what is required by state law and likely follow will you through the 50 states. But don’t expect it to cover you on foreign soil. Before you leave, make sure you’re covered with the appropriate auto insurance if you plan to drive abroad, as your visit could take a turn for the worse if you are involved in an accident.
What to know before traveling abroad
- In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you while you’re abroad, but it may apply in countries neighboring the United States, according to theU.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. However, these countries have minimum auto insurance requirements that may exceed your U.S. coverage.
- In Mexico, drivers are required to carry civil liability insurance that covers them if they cause injury or damage. U.S. liability insurance is not valid in Mexico for bodily injury, although some U.S. insurance policies will cover insured drivers for physical damages, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
- If you have Allstate auto insurance, you are covered throughout all Canadian provinces and territories, and between all ports, the company says. This insurance also is valid in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you’re driving south into Mexico, your policy will protect you if you’ll be traveling within 75 miles of the border for a maximum of 10 days on each separate entry or trip, the company says.
- If you rent a car in Europe, be sure to check the country’s auto insurance requirements. You may be required to buy specific types of coverage. To rent a car in Italy, for example, you must purchase a collision damage waiver and theft protection, according to Auto Europe, a provider of car rental services in 130 countries. You also must be at least 21 years old with a driver’s license that has been valid for at least one year and have an international driving permit as well.
- Some credit card companies provide car rental insurance coverage. For instance, Visa provides collision and theft coverage on auto rentals for cardholders whose names are embossed on a U.S.-issued Visa Standard Credit, Visa Rewards Credit or Visa Premium Rewards card, according to Visa. Eligible members must use their Visa cards for the entire rental transaction and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver to obtain coverage. This benefit is available in the United States and most other countries, the company says; it excludes Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- It is important to understand the rules the road in other countries, the Bureau of Consular Affairs warns. By doing so, you can avoid traffic violations or jail time for unintentionally breaking local traffic laws. For instance, turning at a red light is not permitted in Brazil unless you encounter a sign with an arrow pointing right and the words “Livre a Direita.” Drivers in Iceland can be charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level as low as 0.05 percent.
Be sure you’re secure
Don’t assume anything about your auto insurance coverage while planning your trip abroad. Check with your insurance, credit card and rental companies to ensure you’ll have the proper coverage in the country you’re visiting.
If you’re planning to use your credit card for car rental insurance, ask to have a copy of your coverage information sent to you in writing beforehand. In most cases, credit card benefits are secondary to either your personal insurance protection or the insurance offered by the rental car company, the Insurance Information Institute says. Be sure to have a printed copy of your coverage and keep it with you on your trip abroad.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
The next big thing in automotive technology, the Smart car hit the road in the U.S. in early 2008.
Already popular in Europe for a decade, it seems the U.S. is always the last to catch on when it comes to automotive innovation. Nevertheless, this mini sensation’s urban, stylish appeal is stealing the hearts of Americans nationwide.
But just how smart are these tiny cars? And what’s the appeal that has people trading their cars in droves, depleting Smart car inventory from dealerships, and puttering down the freeway in these miniature sub-compacts?
Smart Appeal
Measuring a little over eight feet in length and weighing in at a mere 1,800 pounds, the Smart car comes in several different models, from the basic three-cylinder, four-speed version to a more deluxe, decked-out automatic.
At a base price of around $12,000, this affordable ride offers drivers some major advantages, including:
- Fuel Economy: Depending on the model, driving habits and road conditions, Smart cars score up to 60 miles per hour, with an average mpg in the 40s.
- Maneuverability: Test drives reveal responsive steering, comfortable handling and ease of parking in tight spaces.
- Safety Features: Standard Smart equipment includes electronic stability control (ESC), designed to keep drivers from swerving off the road; anti-lock brakes (ABS), enabling quick stops; a reinforced steel safety cage, keeping driver and passengers more stable in accidents; two front-impact and two side-impact airbags, reducing the likelihood of head injury; reinforced axle assembly, to help maintain vehicle integrity; solid steel door beams for reinforcement; ignition disable devices that help prevent theft, and seat belt pretensioners that lock drivers into the safest position possible when an accident occurs.
- Fun Driving: Most Smart car owners say they thoroughly enjoy their ride!
But Are They Safe?
The first question non-owners ask when considering a Smart car purchase is “Are they safe?” Forget mileage and entertainment value; how can such a small vehicle protect me on the road?
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it isn’t safe, says Smart car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. Well known for putting safety first, the automaker swears by the vehicle, which has earned one of the top spots in safety tests among small automobiles.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) president Adrian Lund agrees, saying, “Among the smallest cars, the engineers of the Smart did their homework and designed a high level of safety into a very small package.”
Expanding on those ratings, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the luxury version, four out of five stars for driver front safety and three out of five stars for passenger front safety in crash test ratings.
Though admittedly more reliable in collisions with immovable objects than when matched with larger cars, Smart earned a rating of “good” in front end and side impact tests, due in large part to recent structural and safety upgrades. In fact, CarConnection.com gives the 2009 Smart Fortwo an 8 on a scale of one to 10 for safety.
“All things being equal in safety, bigger and heavier [are] always better,” Lund adds. But among the smallest cars, Mercedes-Benz seems to have hit the nail on the head when it comes to designing a safe, affordable ride.
Smart Car Sensibility
The Smart car, which seats two comfortably, makes the most sense for commuters, who tend to drive longer distances back and forth to work.
Not large enough to haul families, many fans are trading in their second car in favor of this fuel-saving vehicle—and hanging on to a larger automobile for situations like family outings, or driving in poor weather or over rough terrain.
With a maximum speed capability of 85 to 90 miles per hour, the Smart car isn’t exactly a speed demon. But reduced capacity for speed only makes it safer—and with “smart” driving and wise decision making behind the wheel, that translates into lower auto insurance rates too.
As with any new car purchase, it’s wise to check insurance rates before signing on the dotted line. For help finding an affordable, smart policy, contact InsureMe.com today.
A Smart Purchase
If you’re looking for a cost-effective ride that’s as smart as its name, do yourself a favor and check out the Smart car. With fuel economy, maneuverability, safety and fun on your side, you can easily relax and enjoy the ride.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
Have you ever returned to your car to find it’s been damaged by a hit-and-run driver? It’s not an uncommon scenario. Sixty-nine percent of hit-and-run accidents involveparked vehicles, according to a claims study released by Allstate Insurance in 2010.
If you’re the one who hit the parked car (and the owner is nowhere in sight), taking responsibility for your actions is the right thing to do, and you’ll feel good knowing that you’re sparing an innocent vehicle owner the difficulties of dealing with a hit-and-run accident.
What to do after you hit a parked car
Most states require you to stop when you’re involved in an accident, even if the other driver is not there. In California, hit-and-run drivers face serious penalties, including fines and jail time, according to the state’s hit-and-run laws. Don’t assume that you’ll get away with it — there often are witnesses and surveillance cameras.
If you hit an unattended vehicle, here’s how to do the right thing:
- Locate the car owner. If you can’t, leave a legible note in a conspicuous place (under the wiper blade). The California State Bar suggests that you include your name, address, phone number, license number, the vehicle identification number of the car you’re driving, the name and address of the car’s owner if different from yours, and a brief explanation of the accident.
- Take down information about the vehicle you hit: make, model and license plate. Note any special circumstances that contributed to the accident (slippery roads, no light, vehicle sticking out).
- Notify local or state police.
- Notify your auto insurance company.
What to do if you’re the victim
If you discover that your car’s been sideswiped by a vehicle that’s left the scene, the first thing to do is look for potential witnesses. If the accident took place in a parking lot, maybe an employee collecting shopping carts saw it happen. Perhaps a hostess at a nearby restaurant noticed the accident and recognized the car’s make and model. Another possibility is nearby store surveillance tapes that might show the accident.
After you’ve made your initial survey and gathered the contact information of any potential witnesses, call your auto insurance company.
As annoying as it is to have your car damaged by some unknown driver, the situation gets worse if you discover that your auto insurance coverage doesn’t pay for repairs. You need uninsured motorist property damage insurance to protect yourself financially from hit-and-run drivers, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Make sure that your uninsured motorist coverage covers damage to vehicles, not just personal injury.
You’ll have to pay the policy deductible when you file a claim because the insurer can’t go after the other driver. Check to see whether your uninsured motorist policy also covers the cost of renting a car while your vehicle is being fixed; otherwise, you’ll be paying for temporary transportation out of your own pocket as well.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
Looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and be kinder and gentler on Mother Earth? Try “going green” when the opportunity arises.
With recent incentives from a handful of major insurance companies, you’ll leave the earth a better place—and pay less for insurance, too!
Insurers Going Green
Recently, some insurance companies have turned their attention to greener products, rewarding discounts and lower-priced coverage to clients willing to make environmentally conscious decisions about the way they live.
By offering greener insurance products to protect property like hybrid cars and energy-efficient homes, more and more property and casualty insurers are jumping on the bandwagon in an effort to encourage planet-saving behavior in the long-term and money-saving options now.
Many insurers, like Travelers and Allstate, reward customers who purchase hybrid vehicles or upgrade to green-certified homes with a 5 to 10 percent discount. Others offer discounts or incentives to those who use environmentally friendly building materials, equip their home with windmill-generated electricity or outfit it with solar panels.
Some even offer a type of eco-friendly upgrade that allows clients to rebuild their homes greener than before following disaster, with packages that include Energy Star appliances and sustainable materials.
According to Bankrate.com, this option is available to customers of Fireman’s Fund and Farmers Insurance as an addition, or endorsement, to their regular insurance policies, at a cost of only about $20 to $25 a year more than their standard insurance policies.
Why Do They Care?
But why does your insurer care if you’re concerned about the environment in the first place?
Studies show that policyholders who do their part to keep the air clean, conserve energy and use fewer natural resources also tend to drive less and be healthier, more mature and responsible—as well as less likely to file insurance claims on losses.
And, since buying and using greener products at home and on the road can cost significantly more than using standard counterparts, the type of person willing to live a green lifestyle is more willing to spend money up-front to reap a payoff over the long term.
Bottom line: Whether you’re a tree-hugging environmentalist or simply an earth-loving conservationist, you’re just the type of customer your insurer is looking for—and is willing to pay to retain.
Doing Your Part
Next time you purchase a car or home, think green.
Not only might you get tax breaks from the government and incentives from the dealer or lender; going green could also turn your pockets green over the life of your insurance policies!
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
For classic car enthusiasts who can’t wait to hop behind the wheel and parade their latest find, insurance is a must. With thousands of dollars poured into the wheels they’ve pruned and modified with new body parts, engine replacements and other major updates, protecting their investment just makes sense.
But the right protection on a standard vehicle isn’t necessarily the right protection on these rare finds. Because of their age, value and the cost of replacement parts, old stand-bys are often in a class all their own, requiring special policies to cover those prize speedsters, convertibles, muscle cars or simply older vehicles from days gone by.
Classic Car Insurance vs. Traditional Insurance
While traditional auto insurance is designed to protect cars that are driven daily and often put in harm’s way on the road, insurance for relics offers a different kind of protection for a different kind of car.
Most owners drive their vehicles only to shows, exhibitions and the like, adding a minimum number of miles to their car’s odometer each year. Because of this limited amount of driving, classic cars need more basic coverage and are often cheaper to insure than newer, more traditional automobiles.
On the other hand, parts can be much harder to obtain and replace in case of theft or damage. That’s why most insurers require the vehicles to be garage-kept under lock and key: to lower the risk of insurance claims.
Special Considerations for Special Cars
Because these vehicles usually appreciate in value, it’s often difficult to derive a realistic estimate of their actual worth. And with various modifications performed from one owner to the next, owners need to make sure their cars are adequately insured, depending on that bottom line.
Under traditional auto policies, vehicles involved in accidents are either repaired or totaled and a check issued to the owner for actual cash value. But in the case of classics, value is usually determined through “Agreed Value.” This method sets each car’s worth based on a prior amount agreed upon by both the car insurance company and the insured, and guarantees that owners receive what they are due if and when they suffer loss—with no deduction for depreciation (as with actual cash value policies).
When older cars undergo long term repairs, or their owners refrain from driving them for long periods of time, it’s wise to cut the insurance policy back to only fire and theft coverage. This helps save money, yet still covers the vehicle on those special occasions when it’s out on the road.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
Some vehicle owners who’ve suffered financial setbacks in the difficult economy have taken an unusual — and illegal — approach to recouping their losses. They’re committing auto theft fraud by claiming their vehicles have been stolen in hopes of getting some cash from their auto insurance companies, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
A 2008 report on auto theft prevention from the National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that at least 10 percent of all reported thefts are fraudulent. Vehicle owners who decide to “steal” their own cars or trucks take several approaches:
- Owner give-ups. This is one of the most common forms of car theft fraud. The owner simply drives the vehicle to a remote location and abandons it, or pays another unscrupulous person to take it away. The NICB reports that the number of owner give-ups increased 24 percent from 2008 to 2009 — and many of these give-ups corresponded with rising gas prices.
- Export scams. Some owners will arrange with thieves to export their cars to another country and sell them. The owner then reports the car stolen and files an auto insurance claim when it is safely overseas.
- Other so-called vehicle owners use a vehicle identification number (VIN) or a title from a stolen or salvaged car to create a “paper car” and insure it. Then they claim the car has been stolen and file an insurance claim.
- Some owners bent on fraud even take out policies on the same car from several different insurers, figuring they’ll hit the jackpot when they make their theft claims. They may purchase insurance for valuables (like coats, jewelry and electronics) and then claim they were in the vehicle when it was “stolen,” according to Louisiana’s Insurance Fraud Unit.
Insurance fraud investigators also have developed a list of red flags that signal an increased likelihood that a vehicle theft claim is fraudulent. Louisiana’s Insurance Fraud Unit, for example, recommends taking a harder look at a claim if:
- An owner has lived at an address or held a job less than six months.
- The car is newly insured.
- The owner has just increased coverage.
- The insured person resists meeting with insurance claims adjusters.
Although some might assume that auto theft fraud hurts no one but insurance companies, it harms every vehicle owner in the long run — because increased costs for insurers ultimately result in increased auto insurance premiums for all policyholders.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
You work diligently to maintain and improve your credit score. You build it. It’s yours. So when your score harms your ability to get a loan or insurance coverage, it seems only fair that you get to see that score you’ve built — without having to pay to do so.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, often called the “Dodd-Frank Act” or the “Wall Street Reform Act,” will allow you to do just that. The new law, named for its authors (Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.), will go into effect in the summer of 2011. It will give consumers free access to their credit scores when financial institutions use their scores against them.
What is the Dodd-Frank Act?
You may already know that your credit score can affect your ability to qualify for loans — but it can also be a key ingredient to obtaining insurance coverage and landing a good rate.
The Dodd-Frank Act requires lenders and insurance companies that use credit scores to assess potential customers to provide free credit scores to any customers against whom they take an “adverse action.”
You still will have the right to a free annual credit report — but once the Dodd-Frank Act is set in motion, insurers will be required to give you your credit score for free if it hurts your insurance coverage. As a result, consumers will be on familiar terms with the consequences of their credit scores and can start tending to any problems before trying again to apply for coverage.
Why does an insurance company care about my credit score?
In insurance, credit scores are used to help predict how risky it is to cover someone. Your score, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offers insurance companies information about you and your credit experiences, like your bill-paying history, the number and type of accounts you have, whether you pay your bills by the due date, your debt and the age of your accounts. Using a statistical program, creditors compare that information to the loan repayment history of consumers with similar profiles, according to the FTC.
Bad credit may affect your ability to get a good rate and can sometimes prevent you from obtaining coverage at all. In the eyes of your insurance company, being irresponsible with your money could indicate you’ll be irresponsible with your car, property and health.
Using your credit score might seem unfair. But, according to 2009 testimony by Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, using your credit score is a “proven, accurate, objective and consistent risk assessment tool” for home and auto insurance.
Why should I care about my credit score?
For some, obtaining their credit score could be an eye-opening experience. They might not realize how their actions affected their score, or they may come to find out they’ve been victims of identity theft. As many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year, the FTC estimates. And some may not realize they are identity theft victims until they see their credit scores.
No one wants to be turned down for coverage or charged a high rate for insurance. But if this happens based on an undesirable credit score, you soon will be able to see where you should start rebuilding before shopping for insurance quotes.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
In these days of high gas prices and needle-pegging pollution levels, many people are downsizing from larger to smaller cars to help save money on fuel and reduce emissions.
But with all the hype about vehicle safety, can anyone really make that switch safely?
The answer is yes—if you know how to go about it. It simply takes some expert advice, viable options and money well-spent to get the best choice for your lifestyle and pocketbook.
Make the right choice and you could save money on auto insurance, too!
Safe Driving: the Best Defense
Apart from a car’s construction and crash test ratings, experts have long agreed that safe driving is the best defense against injury and death.
Using appropriate behavior such as stopping when necessary, following posted speed limits, signaling when turning, and being courteous to other drivers goes a long way toward promoting safety on the road, while still enjoying your ride.
Survivability & the Small Car
But for those who want to do more, keep in mind that your ability to stay alive when involved in a crash hinges on three factors:
- Safety equipment
- Vehicle weight
- Resistance to rollover
Though small cars don’t roll over easily, their lightweight nature and often fewer safety features like electronic stability control (ESC) and full, side-curtain airbags does make them riskier overall than their larger counterparts.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 96 people die per million registered vehicles in the small car category. But director of media relations Russ Rader says, “Crash rates for all vehicle sizes are dropping from year to year.”
This is mostly attributable to the fact that carmakers have rallied around safer vehicle standards in an effort to improve dismal crash test ratings and declining sales the last several years.
Small Car Shopping Tips
When shopping for a small car, it’s wise to look for one with as much safety equipment as you can muster for the money you have to spend.
Consider items like ESC, anti-lock brakes and full, front- and side-curtain airbags non-negotiable. If the car you’re interested in doesn’t contain these options, find out what it costs to get them installed—and try negotiating the car’s price down with that in mind.
Using a system called Stars for Cars, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards new cars up to five stars, depending on a vehicle’s measure of safety. It displays these numbers on window stickers, offering you another source of information on any particular car.
If you’re buying new, we suggest you consult that sticker before making your final purchasing decision.
Finally, Edmunds.com recommends you only consider small cars that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under 11 to 12 seconds. This will help get you out of a jam when you need to react and move quickly.
The Best and Safest Small Cars
Each year, the IIHS performs crash tests and determines accident survivability based on individual car ratings, tagging vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal or poor, based on:
- Performance in high-speed front and side crash tests
- Evaluations of seat and head restraints (for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts)
So if you’re looking to trade in your large truck or sedan for a smaller, more fuel-efficient car, we recommend choosing one of the IIHS’s top safety picks for this year, as follows:
Small Cars
Honda Civic sedan
Mitsubishi Lancer
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Rabbit (4-door)
Mini Car
Honda Fit
Making a Wise Choice
No matter what size car you choose, experts say you’re far more likely to survive an accident in a car that carries the highest safety ratings in its class than one that falls in the marginal or poor range.
And that means lower car insurance rates too—which can help achieve your goal of saving money.
So don’t be scared to trade in that big old jalopy for a small (or even mini) car. But first, take the experts’ advice, consider your options and equip your ride as safely as possible.
With safety priority number one, it’s a decision you should never regret.
InsureMe.com for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.
