The type of car you drive can have a significant impact on how much you pay for auto insurance – particularly the cost for full coverage (comprehensive & collision).
Insurance companies use ISO symbol ratings, which are a numerical rating assigned to each year, make, model, and specific body style of vehicle. These symbols reflect average costs, across the insurance industry, to repair both the car and bodies inside a car when a specific vehicle is involved in an accident (read more about ISO symbols here).
If you compare two automobiles from the same model year the vehicles with a higher symbol rating is going to be the more expensive car to insure – regardless of the sticker price of the vehicle.
Larger vehicles, which tend to be more expensive to purchase, often cost less to insure than mid-size or compact cars. This would be reflective of a loss experience where the larger automobile, on average, had lower repair and injury costs when involved in an accident.
When you’re shopping for a vehicle your insurance agent can be a helpful resource in comparing insurance costs for different vehicles. It’s worth noting to get the most accurate, reliable quote up front, whenever possible, you should furnish your agent with the vehicle identification number (VIN) for any vehicle you are considering purchasing.
There can be considerable differences in the insurance pricing based on the specific body style of a vehicle. For example, there are 14 different models of the Ford Fusion available in 2016 and the insurance prices can differ widely between a Fusion S (symbol 15) and a Fusion Titanium AWD (symbol 21).
Did you know?
We offer free auto quotes online.