The Impact of Car Color Choices: Surprising Factors to Consider

Have you ever found yourself stuck in traffic surrounded by cars of the same color as yours? Or noticed a dominant color when parking your car? While Henry Ford famously offered the Model T in any color, as long as it was black, today’s automobile companies invest significant resources in selecting the colors for their vehicles. But beyond personal preference, do car colors actually make a difference? You might be surprised.

Popular Car Color Choices for 2019: In 2019, white emerged as the most popular car color, chosen by 19.3% of buyers. Silver followed closely at 18%, with black at 12.4%. Medium dark blue accounted for 11.4% of choices, while medium gray and medium red were selected by 7.5% and 7.1% of buyers, respectively. Medium dark green rounded out the list with a choice of 6.7% of buyers.

Car Color Choices and Car Values: While black and white remain popular new car colors, more unique and exotic colors tend to depreciate at a slower rate. Colors such as orange, yellow, and dark green retain their value better over time compared to more common colors.

Car Color Choices and Traffic Tickets: While white cars receive the most tickets overall due to their popularity, gray and red cars tend to receive a higher proportion of traffic tickets. The correlation between car color and traffic tickets is worth noting.

Car Color Choices and Temperature: Darker-colored cars absorb more heat, resulting in higher temperatures inside the vehicle. This explains the popularity of light-colored and white cars, especially in warmer regions. Leaving a dark car and a white car in the sun for an hour can result in a temperature difference of 5 to 6 degrees.

Do Car Color Choices Affect Car Insurance Rates? Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence to suggest that auto insurance companies use car color as a factor in determining insurance rates. In fact, the color of a vehicle is not even identified by its VIN number. Instead, factors such as the make, model, year, driving history, and location play a role in insurance premiums.

While car color may not impact insurance costs, choosing the right insurance agent can make a difference. Our independent insurance agents can help you find the best coverage and value for your needs. Contact us today to get started.