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Can I Save Money On Auto Insurance Quotes With Safety Features?

August 31st, 2023 | 6 min read

By Daniel J. Middleton

You want to drive safely and save money on your car insurance. But you may feel confused by the many options and features available in the market. How do you know which ones are worth paying for? And how do you find the best auto insurance quotes for your needs?

You’re not alone. Many drivers in Central New York struggle with these questions. They want to protect themselves and their loved ones from accidents and injuries. But they also want to avoid paying too much for coverage they don’t need.

That’s why we created this article for you. We are Horan, a trusted independent insurance agency in Baldwinsville, NY. We’ve been serving CNY clients since 2009. We provide comprehensive insurance services and solutions for both personal and business needs.

In this article, we will explain how safety features can affect your car insurance rates. And we’ll showcase a few that can lower your premium.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to save money on auto insurance quotes with safety features. You will also have the confidence to make an informed decision about your policy.

The Power of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Over Auto Insurance Quotes

When you shop for car insurance, you want to get the most accurate and affordable quotes possible. But how do you ensure that the insurance companies are giving you the best rates based on your vehicle’s safety features?

The answer is simple: enter the correct VIN.

The VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-digit code that identifies your car’s make, model, year, and other details. It’s like a fingerprint for your vehicle. You can find it on your dashboard, driver’s side door, or registration documents.

Why is the VIN so important for auto insurance quotes?

Because it contains information about your car’s safety features.

Nowadays, most cars come equipped with advanced safety features that can help prevent or reduce the impact of accidents. Some examples are:

  • Blind spot warning: a system that alerts you when another vehicle is in your blind spot.
  • Lane departure warning: a system that warns you when you’re drifting out of your lane.
  • Forward collision warning: a system that detects obstacles in front of your car and alerts you to brake or steer away.

And there are many more besides the ones we listed. These safety features can lower your risk of getting into a collision, which means lower insurance premiums for you. But how do the insurance companies know if your car has these features?

They use the VIN.

The VIN tells the insurance companies what safety features your car has, and how they affect your car’s value and performance. Insurers then use this information to calculate your rates and discounts.

So, be sure to enter the correct VIN when you compare auto insurance quotes. This should result in the most accurate and fair rates based on your car’s safety features.

What If I Don’t See These Safety Features Listed on My Quote?

Don’t worry. It doesn’t mean the insurers are ignoring them. It just means that they are now part of the overall rating experience.

In the past, insurance companies used to list each safety feature separately and apply a specific discount for each one. But this method was complicated and inconsistent. Different insurance companies had different definitions and values for each safety feature.

That’s why many insurers have switched to a more streamlined and standardized approach. They now use the VIN to determine the overall safety rating of your car. Then they apply a single discount based on that rating.

This way, you don’t have to worry about missing out on any savings from your car’s safety features. They’re already included in your quote.

So, remember: when you compare auto insurance quotes, always make sure the VIN is used. It’s the best way to get the most accurate and affordable rates based on your car’s safety features.

Infographic-1_The Problem with Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes

Other Safety Feature Discounts Outside of the VIN

While the VIN is a powerful tool to get discounts based on your car’s safety features, it’s not the only one. There are other features that are not tied to the VIN. But they can still help you save money on your auto insurance.

One of these features is the kind of alarm or vehicle tracking system you have in place. These systems can deter thieves from stealing your car, or help you recover it if it’s stolen. This can reduce the risk of a total loss for your car, which means lower insurance costs for you.

Some examples of alarm or vehicle tracking systems are:

  • OnStar: a service that provides emergency assistance, navigation, diagnostics, and theft recovery.
  • RecovR: a device and mobile app that lets you locate your stolen vehicle. You can also share its location with law enforcement.
  • RAC: a service that provides vehicle recovery, roadside assistance, and breakdown coverage for your car.

If you use any of these services or similar ones, you may be able to save some money on your auto insurance. This applies to comprehensive coverage, towing and labor, and rental car reimbursement. These are the types of coverage that apply to the theft of your vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage pays for the damage or loss of your car due to events other than collision. These include theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. Towing and labor pays for the cost of towing your car to a repair shop or a safe location if it’s disabled or stolen. Rental car reimbursement pays for the cost of renting a car while your car is being repaired or replaced after a theft.

By using an alarm or vehicle tracking system, you can reduce the likelihood and severity of these events. That translates to lower premiums for these types of coverage.

Not all insurance companies offer discounts for these features. The amount of savings may also vary depending on the type and level of service you have. That’s why it’s important to compare auto insurance quotes from different carriers. And ask about their policies and discounts for alarm or vehicle tracking systems.

The Safer Vehicles Are These Days, the More Expensive They Are to Insure

You may think that having a car with more safety features would mean paying less for your auto insurance. After all, safety features are supposed to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, right?

That’s not always the case. In fact, sometimes having a safer car can make your insurance more expensive.

Why is that?

Because safety features are also expensive to repair.

When a vehicle is damaged in a collision or another event, the insurance company has to pay. They cover the cost of repairing or replacing the parts that are affected. And these parts are not cheap.

A rear bumper is no longer just a simple piece of plastic. It may have cameras, sensors, and other devices that help you avoid or mitigate crashes. These devices can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix or replace.

The same goes for other safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and so on. These features can save your life in an emergency, but they can also total your car in a minor fender bender.

Cars are becoming more sophisticated and safer every year. They are designed to protect you from harm and prevent you from getting into an accident. That’s a good thing.

But these technological advancements also come with a price tag. They cost money to repair and replace. And that’s not good for your wallet.

While you may be thinking, “Hey, this car couldn’t be any safer. It’s got all these fantastic features!” That’s good in one sense. But no matter how safe a car is, it can’t prevent you from hitting a pothole you didn’t see. And it won’t stop you from sliding on black ice along an I-90 stretch in winter. Even with electronic stability control, ice is ice.

That’s why, in your auto insurance quote search, you should find out what rate your vehicle will produce based on its safety features and other factors. You may be surprised by how much difference there is between various makes and models.

We can help you with that. At Horan, we can process your VINs and show you what each vehicle will rate based on its safety features and other factors. We can also help you find the best auto insurance policy for your needs and budget.

Don’t let your car’s safety features cost you more than they save you. Contact us. Let us do the heavy lifting of finding the best deal on auto insurance quotes for you.

Auto Insurance Quote Sheet Graphic

Find the Best Auto Insurance Quotes Tailored to Your Car’s Safety Features

We understand that choosing the right car insurance policy can be challenging and stressful. You want to get the best value for your money, but you also want to be safe and secure on the road.

That’s why we are here to help you. At Horan, we have the expertise and experience to guide you through the process of finding the best auto insurance quotes for your needs. We work with several insurers to compare and customize your options. We also take into account your car’s safety features and how they can lower your premium.

By providing the correct VIN when you request a quote, you can ensure that you get the most accurate and fair rates based on your car’s safety features. You can also save money by choosing the features that are most relevant and beneficial for your driving habits and preferences.

If you follow our advice, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected and prepared for any situation on the road.

So, click the Get a Quote button below. Let us help you find the best auto insurance quotes for your car. We’re ready to serve you with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

Apart from expensive technology, there are other reasons auto insurance rates are rising. Find out by reading "Why Auto Insurance Quotes Are Going Up in New York State.”

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Daniel J. Middleton

Daniel is an accomplished content creator. He has been working in publishing for almost two decades. Horan Companies hired Daniel as its content manager in November 2022. The agency entrusted its messaging to him. Since then, Daniel has written insurance articles, service and pillar pages, and more. All in an effort to educate CNY readers. He's helping them understand the world of insurance so they can make informed decisions.