Small Cars Can Bring Bigger Insurance Payments

Volatile gasoline prices this year have caused some drivers to trade in their gas guzzlers for smaller cars. Sticker shock can not come to an intermediary, but the insurance bill.

Contributions are often higher for smaller cars, because the damage and injury may be worse than in the case of a breakdown of the bigger cars.

Very large SUVs had the lowest frequency of claims for damage to property and two small cars have the highest door, according to the latest research in the 2005-07 models of the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Average loss payments per claim were higher for the smallest cars than for larger vehicles. The lowest average loss payments per claim have been at the station wagons and mini-vans, while luxury sports cars, and had the highest overall losses, because payment to the claims were higher.

"Larger cars are safer cars, in general," said Ken Muth, spokesman for American Family Insurance, from Madison. "The difference is in a collision and loss in the cost of smaller vehicles."

Front and side airbags in small hybrid Toyota Prius contributed to the decrease in premiums, but batteries are expensive to repair, if not, said Jeff King, personal lines manager at Fish & Schulkamp, an independent insurance agency in 2117 Sherman Ave.

"When there is less metal around you, you can have all the airbags and want to continue, there is potential for higher bodily injury," he said. "People think, because we are more and more economical car, that gas will be cheaper for the conduct of insurance, as well as longer necessarily the case," he said, noting it difficult to estimate, because there are so many factors in determining premiums.

Smaller cars are also more vulnerable to car theft, but King said that there is a big problem in Wisconsin. He said he had two theft claims among its customers in 17 years.

Low crime and fraud insurance to help keep auto insurance rates in the Madison area are among the lowest in the country, said Martin Burns, the chief of the Agency for Curtis, 5609 Medical Circle.

He said the driver of accidents and credit is particularly important in determining the size of contributions from the car. May be lower for a small car, for example, if a driver is perfect.

"This (may be) to ensure cheaper Prius, because most people who buy them seem to be a better risk," he said. "They tend to be more conscientious, and ends reflected in a lower price car insurance."

Muth said people should look at assessing the safety of vehicles and their insurance agent's work. Drivers can save on the cost of premiums for smaller cars with higher evaluation of safety, he said.

"There are very safe to smaller vehicles," said Muth. "Consumers need to look very carefully at the features.

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