Auto Insurance: Safety Features To Look For

When it comes to auto insurance, safety features are a key consideration. While these features can vary widely, ranging from adaptive cruise control to automatic emergency braking, they all serve the same purpose: to enhance driver safety and prevent accidents. The presence of these safety features can have a significant impact on insurance rates, with insurers valuing those that actively prevent accidents or mitigate injuries.

In this article, we will explore the various safety features available, their effectiveness in reducing accidents, and their potential impact on insurance premiums. We will also discuss how insurance companies determine rates and the other factors that come into play when calculating insurance costs. So, if you're curious about how your car's safety features influence your insurance or you're looking to buy a new car and want to make an informed decision, read on!

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)

ABS typically consists of a central electronic control unit (ECU), wheel speed sensors, valves, and a pump. The ECU constantly monitors the rotational speed of each wheel, and if it detects that a wheel is rotating significantly slower than the speed of the vehicle, it actuates the valves to reduce hydraulic pressure to the brake at the affected wheel, thus reducing the braking force and allowing the wheel to turn faster. Conversely, if the ECU detects a wheel turning faster than the others, it increases brake hydraulic pressure to that wheel to slow it down. This process is repeated continuously and can be felt by the driver as a pulsing sensation when the ABS is engaged.

Benefits of ABS

ABS offers improved vehicle control and can help reduce stopping distances on dry and some slippery surfaces. It is particularly useful in emergency braking situations or when driving on icy or flooded roads, as it allows you to maintain control of the vehicle and steer to safety. ABS also eliminates the need to manually pump the brakes, allowing you to focus on steering.

Limitations of ABS

However, it's important to note that on loose gravel, snow-covered surfaces, or very slippery surfaces like sheet ice, ABS may increase braking distance. This is because locked wheels can dig into the surface and stop the vehicle more quickly. Additionally, the advanced safety features in ABS can raise repair costs in the event of an accident, as they may need to be repaired or replaced along with the body of the vehicle.

Insurance Considerations

While having ABS installed in your vehicle can reduce your insurance premiums due to improved safety, the savings may be offset by the higher repair costs associated with these advanced systems. Insurance companies consider various factors when determining rates, including the vehicle's safety rating, cost, your driving record, and other rating factors.

Advanced Airbag Systems

Airbags are one of the most important safety innovations of recent decades. They are designed to provide a soft cushion and restraint for vehicle occupants during a collision. Modern vehicles may contain up to ten airbag modules in various configurations, including driver, passenger, side-curtain, seat-mounted, door-mounted, B and C-pillar-mounted side-impact, knee bolster, inflatable seat belt, and pedestrian airbag modules.

Advanced frontal airbags, also called dual-stage or multi-stage airbags, are the next-generation airbag systems. They can detect whether they need to deploy at full force, reduced force, or not at all, depending on the situation. These advanced airbags are designed to minimize the risk of injury to children and shorter adults. They use weight sensors to detect a small driver or front-seat passenger or a child safety seat and modify deployment patterns accordingly.

Another variation on the advanced airbag is the flexible-venting airbag, which uses the driver's forward momentum to push out the gas from the inflated bag, resulting in a less harsh impact.

Knee airbags are designed to minimize injuries to the lower limbs by reducing leg injuries and controlling the movement of the occupant's lower body. They are located in the footwell, under the steering column on the driver's side, and under the glovebox on the passenger side.

Side airbags are not federally mandated but are included as standard equipment by nearly all manufacturers to meet federal side protection requirements. They are designed to inflate in side crashes to prevent people's heads and chests from contacting intruding parts of the vehicle side structure, a striking vehicle, or an object such as a tree or pole. Side airbags cushion and spread the load of impacts to prevent any part of the body from sustaining concentrated impact forces.

Side-curtain airbags can be designed to deploy in rollover crashes, staying inflated for longer to protect during multiple rolls. They typically cover the window opening and inflate more stiffly to prevent the ejection of the occupant.

Inflatable seat belts are designed to enhance protection for adults and children using booster seats or seat belts alone. In a crash, the shoulder belt inflates, distributing crash forces across the torso and chest.

Far-side airbags, also known as front-center airbags, are designed to prevent front passengers from colliding with each other during side-impact crashes and to maintain occupant position in far-side or rollover crashes.

Reversing Cameras and Parking Sensors

Reversing Cameras

Reversing cameras are small, discreet devices that provide a clear view of the area behind the car, eliminating blind spots and helping to prevent accidents. They are typically mounted on the rear bumper or tailgate of a vehicle and are connected to the vehicle's backup light circuit, so they switch on automatically when the car is put into reverse. The live feed is displayed on an LCD screen on the instrument panel, often with feature overlays to help the driver gauge their position and angle of approach.

Some additional features of reversing cameras include:

• Night vision capability, with infrared LEDs that turn on automatically in low-light conditions
• Guidelines on the display to make parking easier
• Wide-angle lenses for better coverage

Parking Sensors

Parking sensors are devices fitted to a vehicle's bumper that provide an audible warning when obstacles are detected nearby. They offer real-time proximity alerts, allowing drivers to accurately gauge the distance between their vehicle and potential obstacles. This helps to minimise the risk of accidental collisions.

Parking sensors are generally more affordable than reversing cameras and can be installed on almost any vehicle, regardless of its make, model, or size.

Combining Sensors and Cameras

In some cases, combining parking sensors and reversing cameras can offer a comprehensive solution for parking manoeuvres, providing both visual and audible assistance. The decision to opt for one or both of these technologies depends on individual needs, comfort level while parking, and budget.

Impact on Insurance

While advanced safety features like reversing cameras and parking sensors can make your vehicle safer, they may not always lead to a significant discount on your auto insurance. This is because these systems can be expensive to repair or replace if damaged in an accident, potentially offsetting any savings on insurance premiums. However, it is still worth informing your insurance company about any safety features your vehicle has to ensure you get the best possible rate.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

AEB systems use a combination of radar and camera technologies that are either mounted at the front of a vehicle or installed inside the windshield. These radars and cameras monitor obstacles that may lead to a crash. If they detect a hazardous object and the system doesn't receive any feedback from the driver, it will autonomously trigger the AEB system.

The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations defines AEBS (also automated emergency braking in some jurisdictions). UN ECE regulation 131 requires such a system to be able to automatically detect a potential forward collision and activate the vehicle braking system to decelerate a vehicle with the purpose of avoiding or mitigating a collision. UN ECE regulation 152 states that deceleration must be at least 5 metres per second squared.

While AEB is a valuable safety feature, it is not a perfect system. For example, inclement weather such as heavy rain, snow, or fog may temporarily inhibit the system's effectiveness. Additionally, unnecessary AEB triggers may occur in situations such as shadows on the road, parked cars, or metal road signs on the side of the road or in the middle of a curve.

In terms of insurance, advanced safety features like AEB can impact your rates. Owning a vehicle with a great safety rating may reduce your car insurance premiums. However, this is not always the case, as the cost of the vehicle, your driving record, and other factors also play a role in determining your policy premium. It's important to note that advanced safety features can also raise repair costs in the event of an accident since the systems themselves may need to be repaired in addition to the body of the car. As a result, you may see higher car insurance rates for vehicles with these features due to the increased repair costs.

Anti-theft Devices

GPS trackers are one of the best car anti-theft devices on the market. They help you track your car's location from your smartphone and send alerts when your vehicle is in motion. You can also immobilize your vehicle if someone tries to steal it. Basic GPS trackers cost between $40 and $100, and you may need to pay a monthly fee to keep the GPS active.

Another effective anti-theft device is a hidden kill switch, which cuts the electricity flow at the ignition switch to prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle. The average cost of a hidden kill switch is $10, but you may need an auto technician to install it.

A third option is a steering wheel lock, which locks your steering wheel to make it difficult for robbers to drive your car. The cheapest steering wheel lock costs about $20.

Other anti-theft devices include vehicle recovery systems, brake locks, wheel clamps, subscription services, audible alarm systems, remote locks, and smart keys.

Many insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders with anti-theft devices because they help insurers save money on coverage costs. However, advanced safety features like those listed above can also raise repair costs in the event of a car accident. Therefore, you may see a higher insurance rate for a vehicle with these features because they are more expensive to fix than vehicles without such features.

When shopping for auto insurance, be sure to ask about any discounts offered for anti-theft devices and compare rates from different insurers to get the most affordable policy.

Frequently asked questions