Does the year of a car matter for insurance?

Asked by: Prof. Miguel Swaniawski  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (40 votes)

When buying insurance, many people want to know if their car year will affect insurance. The short answer to this is, “yes.” The car make, model, and year are all equally important regarding this factor, and insurance companies ask for all of this information whenever you apply for insurance.

What makes a car more expensive to insure?

And as a general rule, more expensive cars cost more to insure because of the increased costs associated with repairing them, replacing parts — especially on foreign brands — or replacing the vehicle in the event of a total loss.

Is insurance higher for older cars?

Do Older Cars Cost More to Insure? Your rates for comprehensive coverage or collision coverage on an older vehicle may be lower than what you'd pay for those same coverages on a newer car that's worth more. ... Older cars are typically worth less, as their value depreciates over time.

How does the age of a car affect insurance premiums?

Typically, the age range of 26-69 may be seen as the golden period in which car insurance rates decrease with age. ... For the most part, female drivers pay less for car insurance than male drivers. This difference can be more pronounced among younger drivers than among drivers in their 30s and 40s.

Why do you think that 16 18 year old drivers pay so much more for auto insurance?

Why do younger and older drivers pay more for car insurance? Young drivers pay more because statistics show that teenagers are inexperienced, making them more likely to get into car accidents compared to other age groups. ... Drivers aged 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be in a car accident.

The £26 a YEAR car insurance man - Martin Lewis

15 related questions found

Is older car cheaper to insure?

Are older cars cheaper to insure? Yes, most older cars are cheaper to insure, especially in terms of comprehensive and collision insurance. Cars lose value as they age, so the potential insurance payouts after an accident drop as well.

When should you drop full coverage on your car?

A good rule of thumb is that when your annual full-coverage payment equals 10% of your car's value, it's time to drop the coverage. You have a big emergency fund. If you don't have any savings, car damage might leave you in a severe bind.

Why is insurance cheaper on newer cars?

While the list price of a new vehicle is usually more expensive than that of a used car, that isn't always the case for insurance. State-of-the-art safety features, more easily replaceable parts, and other factors often contribute to the low cost-to-insure of some new cars.

Are old cars more reliable than new cars?

According to the scores, newer cars are inherently more reliable than old cars. Of course, that doesn't automatically make new cars better, but it makes the driving experience better. Kia, in particular, was most improved.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

Your credit score is a key part of determining the rates you pay for car insurance. Better credit often gets you better rates, and worse credit makes your coverage more expensive. Poor credit could more than double insurance rates, according to a nationwide analysis of top insurers.

Does engine size affect car insurance?

2. Engine size and its impact on the cost of car insurance. The larger an engine your car has, the higher a cost your insurance will be. ... The higher the engine size, the most likely statistically you are to have an accident, especially as a new driver.

Why do classic cars look better?

The reason why classic cars look better is that they were built at a time when designers had more freedom. In the old days, designers were not constrained by stringent safety and emission laws, and the whole design process was focused on making the car look good.

How many miles did old cars last?

In the fifties, sixties and seventies, cars improved to last about 100,000 miles. Today's vehicles are engineered to last 200,000 miles, but the U.S. Department of Transportation reports the average life of a vehicle to be 12 years.

Can older cars be reliable?

If reliability is your top priority, you probably don't want to buy a vehicle that's too old. After all, the older a car is, the less reliable it's likely to be, even if it's a well-maintained, low-mileage vehicle, such as a Toyota or a Honda. Reliability does depend on the vehicle and how many miles it's covered.

Is Geico really the cheapest?

Geico has the cheapest car insurance for most drivers in California. The company charges $390 per year on average for a minimum liability policy. That's 35% cheaper than the statewide average. The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in California is $604 per year, or $50 per month.

Are older cars more expensive to repair?

People are often surprised by how much it costs to keep an older vehicle running, but it is almost always cheaper to repair your car than buy a new one.

Does car insurance change when you get a new car?

If you already own a car, then your insurance company will automatically provide the same amount of coverage for your new vehicle that you have on your previous vehicle. Your current policy will cover your new car for four days.

When should I switch from full coverage to liability?

As your vehicle ages, its value will depreciate. At a certain point, it may no longer be worth it to maintain a full coverage insurance policy. In general, 10 years is a good time to consider switching from full coverage to just liability.

Is full coverage better than liability?

There's a big difference when it comes to liability insurance vs. full coverage. ... Liability covers you for accidents you cause, but full coverage protects you in other important ways as well. If you own your car outright, the choice can be up to you to set the coverage limits that best protect you and your family.

When should you remove comprehensive and collision?

The general rule is that you should drop your comprehensive cover if you are paying too much based on the value of your car. Take your car's value, subtract the deductible, then take away the cost of the six-month policy.

How old does a car have to be to get classic car insurance?

Insurers define a classic car according to how it's used and kept – generally speaking, it needs to be a combination of most of the following: more than 15 years old, driven less than 5,000 miles a year, kept in mint condition and used as a second car.

Why don't they remake classic cars?

Automotive safety depends heavily on the way a car or vehicle is designed. Sadly, cars back in the day were not designed to accommodate modern safety standards. They may have been relevant for their day, but, they clearly lack the sophistication that modern vehicles possess.

Why are vintage cars so cool?

One of the main reasons that classic cars have the “cool” look is that they could be designed without having to consider things like safety laws, fuel efficiency, in-car entertainment systems, weight, aerodynamics, and plenty of other things that are essential parts of cars today.

How can I lower my car insurance rates?

Follow our other top tips to drive the cost down even further.
  1. Limit your mileage. ...
  2. Pay annually. ...
  3. Improve security. ...
  4. Increase your voluntary excess. ...
  5. Build up your no claims bonus discount. ...
  6. Only pay for what you need. ...
  7. See if it's cheaper to buy add-ons as separate products. ...
  8. Consider your cover type.