What Should You Know About Vehicle Safety Ratings
What Should You Know About Vehicle Safety Ratings
One of the criteria used in determining the cost of your automobile insurance is your car’s vehicle safety rating. Officially known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Ratings or NHTSA Safety Ratings, these are the results of government sponsored testing to independently determine which vehicles are the safest. The ratings use a five-star system with the safest vehicles achieving a five-star rating. The safer the vehicle, the more likely it is to score well in the ratings and result in lower automobile insurance premiums. You should know that the NHTSA ratings aren’t the only ones used in determining vehicle safety, there are other independent tests as well. The NHTSA tests, however, are the benchmark for vehicle safety testing.
How do these tests work and how can you access the rating results when considering the purchase of a vehicle? Here’s a closer look at NHTSA vehicle safety ratings.
Each year, the NHTSA chooses a wide selection of vehicles for testing. For 2020, for example, about 50 vehicles were selected for testing.
Testing is in four broad areas:
- Frontal Crash Test Scenario – This simulates a head on crash between two-vehicles on a two lane road. It also simulates what would happen if a vehicle crashes head-on into a fixed barrier at 35 mph.
- Side Barrier Crash Scenario – This simulates a scenario where, after stopping, your begin to move through a four-way stop. A car coming from your driver’s side, however, does not stop. The crash is simulated at about 38 mph.
- Side Pole Crash Scenario – Here, a scenario is created that is similar to a car rounding a curve on a wet street and sliding into a utility pole on the driver’s side. For testing the vehicle is angled at 75 degrees, and sliding at about 20 mph.
- Rollover Resistance Testing – Designed mainly for SUV’s, it helps in determining how top-heavy a vehicle is and how likely it may rollover at speeds simulating 55 mph.
The NHTSA also tests and rates modern driver assistance technology along with other safety devices like air bags, seat belts and tire-pressure monitoring systems.
The NHTSA offers a booklet and vehicle comparison tools online at their website. Along with checking vehicle safety ratings, you should verify the cost of insuring a specific vehicle you are considering buying. Doing that ahead of time may influence your choices. Contact one of our independent agents for a no-obligation quote on vehicle insurance before you make a final decision on your next vehicle. We are here to help.
Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder
Search All Blogs
Search All Blogs
Read More Blogs
October Driving Prep: Get Your Car and Your Policy Ready for Fall
A guide to preparing your car and auto insurance for the fall season.
The October Home Check-Up: Securing Your Home for the Fall Season
A guide to fall home maintenance and home insurance review for the month of October.
The Wanderer’s Playbook: The Art of Traveling on a Budget
A practical guide to finding and saving money on travel adventures.
The Entrepreneur’s Toolkit: From Startup to Success, Insuring Every Step of the Journey
A phase-by-phase guide for entrepreneurs on the essential business insurance policies they need.
Beyond a Payout: How Life Insurance is a Living Financial Tool
A guide to how life insurance can be a living financial tool, with a focus on its cash value component.
The Driver’s Playbook: How to Maximize Your Auto Insurance Benefits
A playbook for drivers, revealing key policy benefits and strategies to get the most from your auto insurance.
Beyond the Big House: Uncovering the Hidden Value in Home Insurance
A deep dive into the valuable but often overlooked components of a home insurance policy.
The Thrill of the Grill: A Masterclass in BBQ Perfection
An ultimate guide to mastering grilling and barbecue, with tips, techniques, and delicious recipes.
The Entrepreneur’s Armor: A Guide to Protecting Your Business
A crucial guide to business insurance, covering essential policies and strategies for entrepreneurs.
The Gift of Security: A Simple Guide to Life Insurance
An easy-to-understand guide to life insurance, explaining policy types and a simple way to calculate your needs.