10 Important Safety Features That Lower Car Insurance

Every new car model seemingly comes with a new or improved technology that makes life on the road more convenient or safer. These new features play a large part in reducing auto accidents and injuries on the road.

Nowadays, many auto insurance companies offer policy discounts for some safety features in cars. But which are the most relevant or safe? Let’s take a look at some of the safest and best car safety features on the market today that can help reduce the costs of your auto insurance.

Collision warning and blind-spot detection technology is relatively new in standard vehicles, but it’s been around in luxury vehicles for more than 10 years. When another driver gets too close to a vehicle, collision warning notifies the driver of an approaching vehicle with a sound or visual notification, so you won’t have to use your policy’s collision coverage.

This system of sensors and radars helps to reduce and eliminate the number of blind spots an average person has. It can also be automatically synced with the brakes to stop the vehicle entirely to avoid crashing. It’s a really intuitive system that will come standard with more vehicles as the years go by.

This technology has been a pivotal piece in reducing the number of car accidents on the road. And it has a positive impact on your premiums as well. Accidents stay on your insurance record for 3 to 5 years, and it may be tough to switch carriers after you’ve been involved in one. It’s important to file a claim for an accident, but these technologies can help you avoid them altogether.

An anti-lock braking system is among one of the most important features that’s ever been introduced to vehicles. They were introduced to luxury cars in the mid-1900s and eventually found their way into most car models in the early 2000s.

This innovative braking system helps to reduce the amount of space vehicles need to stop, which has helped prevent countless accidents from occurring. During slippery road conditions like rain or snow, a firm push on anti-lock brakes can release bursts of braking instead of one applied pressure, which helps to prevent vehicles from sliding.

While your auto insurance may cover your vehicle from water damage, anti-lock brakes can help you get through the water with ease.

Adaptive cruise control works hand in hand with a vehicle’s anti-lock braking system to create a synergistic balance between safe and smart driving. We’ve all been on a long road trip, been passed by the same car for the 10th time and thought to ourselves, “why don’t they just put on their cruise control?”

The newer technology in cruise control will hopefully catch on with everyone in the next decade, but, let’s be honest, there are still some people who will refuse to use it. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors to realize when traffic is beginning to move more slowly or when you switch lanes to pass another vehicle quickly.

It then activates the gas or brake pedal, depending on which stage of your journey you’re in. It allows you to maneuver safely through traffic without turning off and resetting your cruise control.

An innovative approach to night driving has been the recent implementation of adaptive headlights. They work by bending light around turns so the driver can see what lies ahead.

Adaptive headlights are especially important for preventing nighttime accidents from occurring on narrow, winding roads with no lights lining them. Cars with adaptive headlights can be gauged by the current speed to determine how much light will need to be sent by the sensors.

Lane and lane departure warnings work extremely similarly. Lane keep just makes sure your vehicle stays within the designated driving lane, steering your vehicle back in between the lines if you unexpectedly begin drifting across them.

Lane departure is similar, but it notifies you with a vibration when your vehicle is departing its lane. Lane departure will enact when your vehicle makes a sudden move while lane keep technology only notifies you with subtle movements.

Whether you have liability or full coverage on your vehicle, these intuitive warning systems help you keep that coverage in your back pocket so you don’t have to file a claim because you were involved in an auto accident.

One of the oldest, but most important, car safety features on the list is an airbag. While airbags have been around for a very long time, they’ve become more intuitive and protective through the years. Vehicles now come standard with side window airbags that help to reduce glass from shattering and causing more damage in the long run.

While your airbags may not deploy during a minor accident involving something like bumper damage, they’re extremely helpful in more serious accidents, and help to reduce the seriousness of injuries and medical bills associated with those wrecks.

Rearview cameras took the vehicle industry by storm a few years ago. Now they’re coming standard in most vehicle models. And for good reason, too. They significantly reduce blind spots when backing up, giving you a real-life perspective of what’s behind you and to the sides.

While a rearview camera may not directly reduce the amount of coverage you need, it can certainly reduce your premium prices by preventing you from getting into accidents.

Comprehensive car insurance is the part of your policy that does cover theft and vandalism, but an anti-theft device in your vehicle could help prevent the need altogether.

Anti-theft devices now come standard in newer cars, deterring potential thieves with a flashing light, warning stickers and, if they do get inside the vehicle, loud honking and flashing lights that let everyone around know that the vehicle isn’t theirs.

Whether you have an anti-theft device or not, your vehicle can get stolen. However, having a GPS tracking device installed in your vehicle can help you track down the thieves and get your car back. Some insurers offer discounts for this safety feature because it typically means they won’t have to replace your entire vehicle, which would be extremely costly.

Although it’s listed as number 10 on the list, possibly the best safety feature of your car is you as the driver. Many auto insurance companies offer substantial safe driving discounts if you go a year — or a few — without getting into any accidents or receiving any tickets.