One of your top priorities when shopping for a new car might be to make sure it has the latest safety features. While this might initially be for your own peace of mind, it’s good to know that those same safety features may lower your auto insurance premiums. It’s true — since modern safety systems can reduce the chance of accidents, insurance companies often give discounts for cars with these features.
Here are four safety features that could lower your auto insurance premiums:
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): These systems help you stay centered in your lane. Depending on the system, you may get both audible and visual warnings if you sway too far one way or another. Some systems even provide a gentle nudge on the steering wheel that actively guides you back into the center. Both systems help keep you and other drivers safe, which could lower your auto insurance premiums.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW): FCW systems alert you via visual and audible cues when there is an impending collision with another vehicle or object in front of you. In addition, if you’re unable to react in time for some reason, vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking will apply the brakes to avoid the crash altogether or lessen the impact.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): The ACC automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed in response to the distance to the vehicle in front, ensuring a safe following distance. This function reduces the risk of rear-end crashes caused by sudden braking or tailgating.
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD): These systems use sensors to scan the area on either side of your vehicle, alerting you when something is in your blind spot. By paying attention to the warnings, you can avoid a collision when changing lanes.