Car Insurance Guide – Things To Know About Before You Buy a New Car
A Boufford car insurance guide — buy smart, insure smarter.
Buying a new (or new-to-you) car is exciting — but the monthly payment and sticker price aren’t the only costs that matter. The car you choose plays a big role in what you’ll pay for insurance. Our car insurance guide provides the key factors insurers look at, how they change your premium, and practical steps to keep insurance costs reasonable before you sign the deal.
Your vehicle choice affects premiums — in predictable ways
Insurers price policies using expected losses: how likely the car is to be stolen, how expensive it is to repair or replace, how big a claim it generates when it causes damage, and how well it protects occupants. In short: pricier cars, cars with expensive parts, high-theft models, big/heavy vehicles, and high-performance cars typically cost more to insure.
Safety ratings and safety tech can lower costs
Cars with strong crash-test results and advanced crash-avoidance features (automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, etc.) tend to generate fewer and smaller injury claims — insurers often reward those vehicles with lower rates or discounts. Before buying, check IIHS or NHTSA safety ratings for the exact model/year you’re considering.
Vehicle size and class matter — bigger can mean costlier claims
Larger vehicles (big SUVs, pickups) often cause more damage in collisions and usually cost more to repair or replace; that can translate into higher collision and liability losses — and higher premiums. Conversely, modestly sized, safe, and affordable models are frequently less expensive to insure. HLDI analysis shows collision-related losses generally rise with vehicle size and with luxury/sports categories.
Theft rates and regional trends can spike premiums
Some models are much more likely to be stolen in certain years/regions, and insurers factor that in. If a particular vehicle (or even a year/model) has an unusually high theft rate in your area, expect higher comprehensive premiums or harder-to-find coverage in some markets. (There have been real-world cases where carriers adjusted availability or pricing because of theft waves.)
Repair and replacement costs (including EV batteries) add up
Luxury parts, foreign makes, carbon-fiber panels, and electric-vehicle battery replacements are costly. If the vehicle you’re considering has pricey parts or specialized repair needs, collision and comprehensive coverage will be more expensive. Always ask about typical repair costs for the model and whether parts are widely available.
Telematics and data: your driving (or apps) can affect rates
Many insurers now use telematics (plug-in devices, apps, or vehicle data) to price policies. Good driving can earn discounts — but some data sources (including aggregated app data) have been used by insurers to assess risk and adjust pricing, sometimes in ways consumers don’t fully expect. If you’re privacy-conscious, ask insurers how they collect and use driving data before you opt in.
New vs. used: tradeoffs for premiums and coverage needs
New cars cost more to insure because of higher replacement value and often higher repair costs. But new cars also often come with more safety tech that might earn discounts. For used cars, consider certified pre-owned (CPO) programs — they can offer a balance: lower purchase price but still modern safety features. Always compare quotes for the specific year/trim you plan to buy.
Car price, finance terms, fuel efficiency, and features are important — but insurance is a real and sometimes sizable ongoing cost. A little homework (model-year quotes, safety and theft checks, and a chat with your agent) can save you hundreds — even thousands — over the life of the car. Contact Boufford Insurance and tell us the exact make/year/trim you’re considering — we’ll provide you with a quote so you can buy with confidence.
