Getting ready to purchase a new vehicle brings both excitement and questions about insurance costs. Many Central New York drivers wonder if choosing a red sports car might lead to higher insurance premiums than selecting a more subdued color. This misconception creates unnecessary stress during the car-buying process.
At the Horan insurance agency, we assist drivers throughout Central New York with information about auto insurance rates. We work with multiple carriers to provide information about coverage options and address common misconceptions about vehicle color.
In this article, we'll explore the truth about car color and insurance premiums, clarify when customizations might affect your rates, and explain the factors that typically impact what you pay for coverage.
The Truth About Car Color and Insurance Rates
The color of your vehicle has no impact on your car insurance premium. Whether you choose red, white, black, gray, silver, or any other color, you'll pay the same rate for your insurance coverage.
This fact might surprise many drivers who've heard the common myth that red cars cost more to insure. The reality is that the color of your vehicle isn't even included on insurance applications. When determining your premium, insurance companies focus on factors with proven connections to risk assessment, not aesthetic preferences like color.
Insurance professionals confirm this reality. The color of your vehicle is a non-factor in premium calculations. Your coverage costs remain the same regardless of which color you select from the dealership.
When Vehicle Color Might Indirectly Affect Insurance Costs
While color itself doesn't determine your premium, there are two specific scenarios where color-related factors might indirectly influence what you pay:
Purchase Price Variations
Certain colors like silver, gray, white, and black tend to be more popular among consumers, according to J.D. Power research.
Additionally, some paint colors aren't included as standard options. As J.D. Power notes, specialty paint colors can be expensive add-ons, especially with luxury automakers who may charge premium prices due to the specialized labor involved.
Since insurance premiums are partly based on your vehicle's value, a more expensive car will generally cost more to insure—but this stems from the vehicle's market value, not its color choice.
For example, if you're looking at two identical vehicles in Syracuse with different color options, and one has a premium paint finish that increased its purchase price, your insurance premium might reflect that higher initial value—but only because of the vehicle's purchase price, not because insurers care about the color itself.
Custom Paint Jobs
If you modify your vehicle with a custom paint job, you should notify your insurance company. Standard auto policies typically cover your vehicle in the same condition as when you purchased it, so aftermarket modifications like custom paint may require additional coverage.
Insurance companies offer special coverage for these modifications called custom parts and equipment coverage. This extends your auto insurance to include custom paint jobs, wheels, sound systems, and other aftermarket additions.
While this additional coverage may increase your premium slightly, it's the customization that affects the cost, not the specific color you choose.
Learn more about how customizing your vehicle affects your insurance costs.
Factors That Actually Impact Your Car Insurance Premium
Instead of worrying about your vehicle's color, focus on these factors that typically affect your insurance rates:
- Vehicle make and model: The year, make, and model impact your premium. Vehicles with higher safety ratings and lower repair costs typically cost less to insure.
- Driving record: Your history of accidents, tickets, and claims plays a role in determining your premium.
- Location: Where you live and park your car in Central New York affects your rates due to differences in theft rates, accident frequencies, and repair costs.
- Insurance score: In many states, your insurance score (which may include factors from your financial history) influences your insurance premium.
- Coverage options: The types and amounts of coverage you select impact your premium.
- Deductible amount: A higher deductible typically results in a lower premium.
Select Your Car Color Without Insurance Worries
Selecting your vehicle's color can be about personal preference rather than insurance concerns. You won't pay higher rates for a red car versus a white one. This information allows you to consider the color that appeals to you without insurance rate concerns.
Common myths persist about red cars getting more tickets, but there's no conclusive data supporting this claim. When police pull someone over, it's typically the driver's behavior that attracts attention, not the vehicle's color.
The Horan insurance agency provides information about auto coverage to drivers throughout Central New York. We can discuss how various factors may affect your premium and assist you in exploring coverage options that may suit your requirements.
Click the Get a Quote button below to learn more about auto insurance options that aren't influenced by your vehicle's color choice.
Topics:
