Safety features that help reduce car insurance premiums
One of the five top priority risk factors taken into consideration by insurance companies to determine premium payments is the type of safety features fitted in the vehicle.
So vehicles with good safety devices attract lower premiums, and that’s a fact.
And motorists with older model cars should weigh up the cost of installing safety features not standard in their vehicle against the savings they will make on their monthly insurance payments.
What safety features tick the boxes for car insurance?
- Autonomous emergency braking systems
- Forward-collision warning systems
- Airbags
- Automatic seat belts
- Shatter-resistant windscreens and windows
- Electronic stability control programmes
What entry-level cars have good safety features?
Ten cars that insurance companies regard as the safest entry-level cars on South African roads, and in order of the standard of their safety features, include:
- Citroën C1 VTi
- Renault Sandero
- FAW V2 1.3 DLX
- FAW V2 1.3 #Like
- Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA
- Chevrolet Spark 1.2 Campus
- Suzuki Swift Hatch 1.2 GA
- Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL
- Mitsubishi 1.2 GL
- Honda Brio Hatch 1.2 Trend
These entry-level vehicles have prices below the R160 000 price-tag.
Know the car you drive
By knowing all about the car you drive, particularly in terms of its safety features, can save thousands of rand in insurance premiums during the life of the policy.
While driving cautiously may earn you bonus points, driving a vehicle that is highly rated for its safety features can have drastic savings on monthly premiums.
Insurance companies place a lot of importance on good safety features because those vehicles are less likely to be involved in a road collision, lowering the chances of policyholders lodging claims.
Devices to thwart the chance of theft
Another premium cost saver is a vehicle equipped with good anti-theft devices, such as immobilisers and alarm systems.
These deterrents are affordable, and owners of older model cars should definitely consider installing these devices to help reduce the cost of their insurance payments.
What safety features to deter car thieves?
- Ignition cut-off system
- GPS tracking devices
- Visible steering wheel and gear lever locks
- VIN chemical etching
Conclusion about safety features?
Whether you are in the new car entry-level bracket or the owner of an older model vehicle, all safety efforts help to reduce the cost of monthly insurance premiums.
Out-of-pocket expenses such as anti-theft devices to deter car thieves will get the nod of approval from your insurer.
If you already have insurance and now want to install additional safety features into your vehicle, do not forget to inform your insurance company about these modifications. Keeping them informed will help save you money. Forgetting to let me know could end up costing you dearly by the time the life of your policy matures.
Get your own car insurance quote. Just complete and then submit the form on this page
All info was correct at time of publishing December 17, 2017
