Those Who Compare Auto Insurance Premiums Can Find Reasonable Rates

Drivers who take the time to compare auto insurance prices may find that improved vehicle safety features are resulting in reasonable rates.

A recent study by the Insurance Research Council indicates that newer vehicles were more likely to be equipped with front and side airbags and as a result, were more inclined to result in lower claim costs for insurers when accidents occurred.

“Motor vehicles are becoming safer, and these improvements are having a noticeable impact on the seriousness of injuries and the ultimate cost of auto injury claims. These favorable trends have helped offset some of the pressure caused by the accelerating cost of medical treatment for auto injuries," said Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC.

The organization noted that for 1998 vehicle models, 89 percent were equipped with front-only airbags while 11 percent had side airbags. In contrast, 82 percent of models from 2007 had both front and side airbags.

With both front and side airbags, vehicles are said to be safer for drivers by resulting in milder injuries and a lower likelihood of hospitalization or even death in a crash. Vehicles without airbags involved in crashes were said to result in claims that are 57 percent higher than vehicles with front and side ones. With that in mind, taking the time to compare auto insurance rates is more likely to yield a reasonably-priced premium for drivers with safe records.