Every year car manufacturers are adding more and more features to their new models that make life easier and more convenient. But many of these features are doing more than that–they are making us safer. By creating safer driving environments they are reducing the risk of accidents on the road, which can also translate to insurance savings. So which features can keep you safe while also saving you some money?
Forward collision warning detects if a collision is about to occur based on the car’s speed and distance from the object ahead of them. Advanced sensors that are located in the car’s fascia work to monitor objects that are detected and warn drivers when a collision may occur. These systems often work in conjunction with other systems, like automatic emergency braking, to make driving much more safe. In fact the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that FCW reduces rear-end crashes by 27%.
Blind spots create major issues and can be dangerous for drivers, but blind spot detection can help alert drivers to another car that may be driving where you cannot see them. These detection systems use cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors to detect the location of other cars. If a car is detected in your blindspot you will receive a visual warning (typically a light will appear on the mirror or by your steering wheel). If you put on your turn signal you will then get an audible warning that will alert you that it’s unsafe to change lanes. These detections are now standard on most cars, and with good reason. Studies have found that blind spot detection reduces lane change collisions with injuries by 23%.
Another warning feature that has reduced collisions on the road is the lane departure warning system. This feature alerts you when you start to drift out of your lane. Sensors use the road markings to determine where your car is in relation to the lane and if you start to drift into another lane it will give you an audible, tactile, or visual indication. The road markings must be clear and bright for this feature to work, not faded or covered. LDW systems have been shown to reduce vehicle crashes by 26% and the number of seriously injured drivers by 20.7%.
Rearview cameras are standard in most cars these days, and that’s because they are incredibly helpful when backing up and parallel parking. They reduce your blind spots and can help you see objects that are low to the ground, such as pets and children, that you might not see if you were without a camera.
If you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, this means you are covered for theft and vandalism. But certain anti-theft devices can lower your premium as they will deter theft and make it more difficult. According to a study by AgileRates, having an audible alarm may reduce your premium by about 0.4% a year. If your car is equipped with a passive disabling device it may reduce your premium by about 0.7% a year. A passive disabling device is a type of security device that is armed when certain conditions are met, such as the key is not in the ignition and the doors are closed. When this type of device is activated the engine is immobilized, which makes stealing your car much more difficult.
Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent your brakes from locking when you brake hard in an emergency. This will help you continue to have control of your car when you are skidding on the road. ABS is designed to aid with steering, not necessarily decrease the stopping distance, but oftentimes the use of ABS does decrease the stopping distance. Anti Lock brakes became mandatory for new cars in the EU in 2004 and mandatory for new cars in the United States in 2012. ABS has been shown to reduce the number and severity of vehicle crashes of all types.
GPS tracking will help you locate your car in the event that it is stolen. Trackers use satellite navigation data to provide real time information as to where your car is at any time. But there are some additional benefits to GPS tracking aside from locating it in the event that it is stolen. GPS can help emergency responders locate you if you are ever in trouble, you can track your car down easier if it gets towed, and some insurance carriers may use your GPS data to track your driving habits (and offer you discounts).
Adaptive headlights bend light around turns so that you can see what is ahead of you when driving at night. The headlights use sensors that detect your steering angle and swivel to follow the direction that you are driving. Adaptive lights make driving winding roads late at night much safer and have been shown to reduce the amount of nighttime accidents.
All of these features may provide a slight reduction in the amount you are spending on car insurance. While some may only save you a few dollars each year, they are all incredibly important and useful safety features that can help keep you safe on the road. If you are looking for additional ways to save money on your car insurance every year, try the following steps:
Shop around and compare every year when your policy is up for renewal (even if you are happy with the service).
Keep a healthy credit score by paying your bills on time, monitoring your credit report for any errors, and ensuring you don’t have too much debt.
Look around for additional discounts you may be eligible for (student discounts, military discounts, good driving discounts).
Reduce optional insurance on older cars, especially if you don’t drive them a lot.
Bundle your car insurance with other insurance, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
Look into low mileage discounts if you don’t spend a lot of time in your car.
The most important thing you can do to save money on your insurance is shop around and compare. But taking other steps such as buying a car with good safety features and keeping a good credit score will help you to get the best insurance price possible.
If you are looking for another way to save money, contact Auto Approve today! Refinancing your car loan can help put money back in your pocket. So what are you waiting for?