The top 10 cheapest and most expensive 2011 cars to insure

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A new year means many things for car buyers; new safety ratings, new models, and new costs. Another aspect of a car search to consider is the cost of Auto insurance; preferably before Royce rolls his brand new auto from the lot.

Fortunately, Insure.com has done the world a great service by ranking the most expensive and least expensive cars to insure. Most of the cars on these lists will come as no surprise to you, but nonetheless good information to have before you adventurously strike out to haggle with the peddlers of the automobile world.

Least Expensive (2011)(Cheapest first) Chrysler Town and Country LX Toyota Sienna Toyota Sienna LE Honda Odyssey LX Nissan Murano Jeep Wrangler Honda Odyssey EX Toyota Sienna Ford Escape Toyota Highlander

Most Expensive (2011)(Most expensive first) Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG BMW 750i BMW 750Li Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Aston Martin DB9 Mercedes-Benz CL600 Porsche 911 Carrera S Aston Martin DB9 Volante Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG

It’s important to note that the car you drive is NOT the only factor that affects your auto insurance rates. Several other factors, including age, gender, area of residence, and annual mileage also play a part in determining the number at the bottom of your car insurance bill. We’ve also written about how each of these affects your insurance, if you’re interested.

As for the car itself, there are reasons that some cost more to insure than others. This is due to safety ratings, top speed, anti-theft devices, and cost. It makes sense that a fast, poorly protected car will be the apple of a thief’s eye and therefore cost more to insure.

Performance: what can this baby do on the highway?

If your car’s engine could power a third world village, your insurance is going to be higher. Insurance companies have to assume that high performance cars are bought for just that reason: to drive fast and practice risky driving behaviors. If you want to keep your insurance low, stay away from performance vehicles.

Foreign Cars:

If your dream car has parts from obscure companies and/or locations, beware. Should you get into an accident (even a minor fender bender), the replacement parts will be much more costly than high supply auto parts. That factors into your insurance cost; in fact, it may factor in even more in the future if gas (and thus shipping) prices continue to rise.

Bigger is not always better:

First and foremost: YOU ARE NOT NECESSARILY SAFER IN A BIGGER CAR. There are many large trucks and SUVs that have inherent safety flaws.  Consult crash test reviews and data before you commit to a larger car. However, even if safer, SUVs are not necessarily the best way to obtain low car insurance. Big cars tend to have a higher liability coverage rate because they do more damage to other cars in accidents.

Consider a ‘family car’:

Remember the ‘high performance, high insurance’ paragraph? Well the converse is also true. Cars associated with ‘routine, safe’ driving behavior are going to cost you less. These are the cars that many think of as ‘family vehicles’: minivans, station wagons, and family sedans. This is due to the fact that ‘family vehicles’ are statistically involved in fewer crashes than other types of cars; therefore, they will cost you less to insure.

 Remember:  insurance companies play a game of numbers; if your car is going to cost more to replace, then you’re going to pay more for it.  With that in mind, go forth and buy the right car for you and your insurer.

And, of course, if you find yourself in an auto insurance pinch, look to Gordon Insurance: we provide both a wealth of information on our website and would be happy to place you with the right insurance agency for you.

How is the Cost of my Car Insurance Policy Determined?

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Have you ever wondered how your car insurance rates are calculated?  What affects that number on the bottom of the page? Here’s the answer:

1. What type of car you drive- some cars cost more to insure than others do. Your rate can be affected by how likely your car is to be stolen, its age, the cost of any future repairs, and how safe it is (or isn’t).
2. Your driving record- your driving record largely determines how well you drive (at least in the eyes of your insurance provider). The fewer incidents you’ve been involved in, the lower your premium will be. If you have a slew of accidents and driving violations on your road resume, expect to pay significantly more than if you have a clean record.
3. Where you live- Outside of your own driving ability, some areas are simply safer to drive in than others, both in terms of crime and accident statistics. Your rate can vary depending upon where you garage your car as well.
4. The number of miles you drive each year- Statistics says by the law of large numbers that the probability of an accident increases with the amount that you drive. Therefore expect a higher rate if you put hefty mileage onto your vehicle each year.
5. Your age- Young drivers (especially males) will have to pay augmented rates. Generally insurance providers divide the “steps” into drivers who have been on the road for under three years, three to six years, and more than six years.
6. Your credit- for many insurance providers, your credit score can have an impact on your insurance rates.
7. Coverage- like any other insurance rate, the price is partially determined by the coverage you already have. Make sure you shop around and get the best possible price for the coverage you need.

The good news: There are a variety of auto insurance discounts available to insureds. Here’s a video made by our agency that explains the various discounts you may be eligible for:

Corbin Foucart
Andrew G. Gordon Insurance

Car Accident Tips

You are minding the rules of the road when you get rear-ended; now the scattered fragments of your bumper are decorating the pavement. No one likes fender benders or car crashes, but if you find yourself in an accident, there are things you can do to make the process as painless as possible.

Before you hit the road:
• Drive with a cell phone in case of a need to place an emergency call.
• Carry insurance information in your glove compartment, as well as a pen and pad of paper for taking down information.
• Carry a disposable camera in your car, to take pictures of the crash site and vehicles involved. If there is incriminating evidence of distraction on the other driver (e.g. a full Dunkin Donuts breakfast splayed all over his/her clothes due to the crash), try to discreetly snap a picture. These will be very helpful in determining fault in the accident. DO NOT get the pictures developed as this may destroy their legal integrity. Keep the pictures in the camera and contact your insurance company.

Obtain the following information at the crash site:
• Information about the other driver: name, address, driver’s license number, insurance information and license plate number.
• Information about witnesses: names, addresses and, whenever possible, license plate numbers.
• Information about police officers: obtain the name, badge number and precinct number of the investigating office and request the case control number or accident report number.
• Information about the location: precisely determine the address or location of the crash scene and note information about traffic, weather and road conditions. If the configuration of the roadway played a factor, note that information as well.
• Information about the car accident: write down how the accident happened including fault, layout of the roadway, presence of traffic control devices, etc
Taking these steps will provide valuable information to the insurance company and help facilitate your claim settlement.

And of course, make sure that you are around to do these things. ALWAYS WEAR A SEATBELT!
For more insurance information and resources, visit us at the A.G. Gordon, Inc. Website and get a free quote now!