Car Features That Can Lower Insurance Costs (2026)
What insurers look at when they price a specific car, and what to check before you buy.
Facts checked September 23, 2026
Two drivers with the same record can pay very different amounts because of the car they drive. Insurers look at how often a model is involved in claims, how badly occupants tend to be hurt, how often it's stolen and what it costs to repair.
We don't name models here. Rankings like that change as claims data changes, and they depend on the insurer. Instead, here are the features to look for, and a quote on the actual VIN is the only reliable test.
Features that can help
1. Strong crash-test results
Where it shows up: The injury parts of your premium
Cars that protect their occupants well tend to generate smaller injury claims. Crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are a good place to start.
2. Anti-theft systems and tracking
Where it shows up: Comprehensive coverage
Immobilizers, alarms and vehicle tracking can make a car less attractive to thieves, and easier to recover if it is stolen. Some insurers give a discount for them. Models that are stolen often cost more to insure no matter what's fitted.
3. Automatic emergency braking and collision warnings
Where it shows up: Liability and collision, with a catch
Driver-assist features can help prevent crashes, and some insurers credit them. But the cameras and sensors behind them can make even a minor bumper or windshield repair more expensive, so the net effect varies.
4. Affordable, easy-to-find parts
Where it shows up: Collision and comprehensive
Common models with plentiful parts and many repair shops tend to cost less to fix than rare, imported or specialist vehicles. Repair cost is one of the biggest drivers of the physical-damage premium.
5. Modest engine power
Where it shows up: Liability and collision
High-performance versions of a model are often rated higher than the standard trim, reflecting how they tend to be driven and what they cost to repair.
6. Lower replacement value
Where it shows up: Collision and comprehensive
The more a car is worth, the more an insurer may pay out if it's totaled. A less expensive car typically costs less to cover for physical damage, and once it's older you may choose not to carry collision at all.
7. Factory airbags and restraint systems
Where it shows up: Medical payments and personal injury protection
Some insurers still give specific credits for passive restraints on the medical part of the premium. Almost every modern car has them, so this mostly matters for older vehicles.
What doesn't matter
Paint color isn't a rating factor. Insurers price the make, model, year, trim and equipment, not what shade it is.
Before you buy
Ask for a quote on the specific VIN you're considering, not just the model. Trim level and equipment can change the price, and so can where the car is kept and how it's used.
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Common questions
Not always. They can reduce crash and injury claims, but advanced sensors and cameras can make repairs more expensive. How the two balance out depends on the car and the insurer.
It depends on the insurer, your location and your driving record, and it changes as claims data changes. That's why we don't publish model rankings. Get quotes on the specific vehicles you're considering.
No. Insurers look at the make, model, year, trim, equipment and how the car is used, not its color.
Keep reading
Sources
- IIHS vehicle ratings. Checked September 23, 2026.
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Checked September 23, 2026.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals. Quote My Policy is not an insurance company and does not issue policies. Nothing here binds coverage.