Auto insurance costs can be affected by the type of car a person drives and its safety features.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s David Strickland and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced enhancements to the Five-Star Safety Ratings System used to grade new vehicles. Included in the new metrics are side-pole crash testing and an examination of crash-prevention systems.
This also marks the first time that female crash-test dummies were used during ratings. The new guidelines were applied for the 2011 model year.
“More stars equal safer cars,” says LaHood. “With our upgraded Five-Star Safety Ratings System, we’re raising the bar on safety.”
Cars that received the highest ratings included the later edition of the Hyundai Sonata and the BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive four-door sedan.
Car insurance companies may take these ratings to heart, along with other technologies installed in cars. Cars that present less of a safety risk may lead to lower auto insurance premiums.
Other components that auto insurance companies consider include whether a car has an anti-theft device installed.
