Low affordable car insurance is easier to get if you drive a vehicle that is considered both safe and ‘low-profile’. You may want to rethink that flashy sports car or SUV you’ve been thinking about buying as you’re more likely to get cheap car insurance on a family car or minivan.

A safe affordable vehicle, not only better protects the driver and passengers, but it also protects your wallet. As some cars cost more than others to repair insurers take this into account when calculating your car insurance rates. There are a number of online resources you can use to check the typical repair costs for popular vehicles. Insurers are also interested in how the vehicle takes care of you and your passengers in the event of an accident, and obviously you should be too!

Insurers look at statistics such as crash test ratings and safety features like air bags, so it’s a good idea for you to research these as well before you decide to purchase a vehicle.

Insurers also look at national statistics when determining premiums. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) keep record of vehicles that are most often burglarzied, vandalized and/or stolen. Choosing a ‘low-profile’ vehicle, will help to prevent the inconvenience of being a victim of these crimes and will reduce your car insurance premiums.