Large sports cars have the highest average collision claims costs and passenger vans have the lowest, notes the
Released with a monthly letter to automobile dealers this month, the February 2011 “Relative Collision Insurance Cost Information Booklet” report indicates the 2008–2010 models at greatest and lowest risk, and highlights the effect that vehicle type can have on the average size of claims.
In the NHTSA report, cars were ranked against an average collision loss experience for all vehicles.
Not surprising, the large sports model, which the Kelley Blue Book estimates can cost up to $100,000, lead the group with a collision loss history seen as 326% worse than the average for all rated vehicles. Cargo vans faired 69% better in its loss history than the all-vehicle average.
The booklet compares differences in insurance costs for different makes and models of passenger cars, utility vehicles, light trucks, and vans on the basis of damage susceptibility for the vehicle. However, it does not indicate a vehicle's relative safety for occupants, which is a risk measured separately.
The report, which is geared toward consumers, also includes a table that contains information regarding the effect of damage susceptibility on insurance premiums. Taken from data compiled by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) in its December 2010 Insurance Collision Report, the NHTSA has not verified the data in this table.
“Although many insurance companies use the HLDI information to adjust the "base rate" for the collision portion of their insurance premiums, the amount of any such adjustment is usually small,” notes the report. “It is unlikely that your total premium will vary more than 10% depending upon the collision loss experience of a particular vehicle.”
