Are Red Cars More Expensive to Insure?

Red cars are beautiful. There’s no doubt about that. But do they cost more to insure? That’s a question many people have asked, and the answer is that it depends. While red cars may statistically be involved in more accidents than cars of other colors, the difference in rates between different colored vehicles is often minimal.

The truth is that there are lots of other factors that affect the price of premiums, including your driving history, age, gender, credit score, and marital status. The color of your car isn’t on that list, is it?

So don’t avoid buying that red car you’ve always wanted just because you think it will be more expensive to insure. Read on for more information about this topic.

Does purchasing a red car increase your insurance?

No. Buying that gorgeous red Ferrari isn’t going to increase your premiums. At least its color won’t be why you’ll end up paying more.

Here’s what insurance companies are going to want to know about your new purchase:

• Make of your vehicle
• Model of your vehicle
• Year of your vehicle
• Your vehicle identification number (VIN)

As stated previously, insurance companies will also be interested in:

• Where you live. Insurance rates vary based on your geographic location.
• Age. Young drivers tend to pay more for insurance than their older counterparts.
• Gender. Women often get better rates than men.
• Marital status. Married couples often get discounts when they purchase insurance together.
• Driving record. If you have a clean driving record, you’ll usually pay less.
• How much you drive. If you drive fewer miles, you’ll usually pay less.
• Credit history. A good credit score can help you get a lower insurance rate.
• Type of vehicle. Sports cars and luxury vehicles, for instance, typically cost more.

A standard, mainstream model will be less costly to insure than a high-end imported vehicle. Additionally, auto insurance companies charge more for cars that are more likely to be involved in accidents or have expensive repairs. They also charge more if you live in an area with a higher crime rate.

Again, you didn’t see the color red mentioned anywhere among these factors, did you? With that said, it’s essential to keep in mind that individual insurance companies calculate their rates differently.

Plus, you might be able to get better deals from some of them by ensuring your vehicle has certain features, which could reduce the risk of accidents or theft. Just a couple of these are daytime lights or anti-theft alarm systems.

However, consider that the insurance company with the best rates for one person may not have the best rates for another. The takeaway? You can shop around and get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision.

Factors That Can Decrease the Price of Your Car Insurance

Many people think of car safety features as things like air bags and seatbelts. As stated previously, other features can help keep you safe, too.

For example, devices like car alarms or vehicle tracking can help deter thieves from targeting your vehicle. And if your car is stolen, these devices can make it more likely that the police will recover it. That’s why cars with these safety features usually cost less to insure. 

When you comparison shop, ask about available deals for the following:

• An antitheft device
• Away from home college students
• Defensive driving courses
• Drivers ed courses
• Good credit record
• Higher deductibles
• Homeowners and auto coverage together at the same company
• Low annual mileage
• Long-time customer
• More than one car
• No accidents in three Years
• No moving violations in three years
• Student drivers with good grades

Take into consideration that not all of these discounts are available in every location. Also, notice that your car’s color isn’t a factor in any of them.

Why do rates vary between vehicles?

While drivers are ultimately responsible for collisions, there is a strong statistical correlation between certain vehicles and certain kinds of drivers. High-risk drivers are more likely to be attracted to specific models, and some kinds of cars are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions due to this factor. 

For instance, minivans are often seen as the workhorses of the automotive world. They’re designed to ferry people and cargo around safely and efficiently. As a result, they tend to be more affordable to insure than high-performance sports cars.

Meanwhile, those high-performance sports cars often have drivers who purchase them to show off (keep in mind this is a generalization), and who may be tempted to drive them in a risky manner. They might speed, cut off other drivers, or take hairpin turns without slowing down.

While the high-performance vehicle may be designed to handle this kind of stress, the driver may not be experienced enough to maintain control, leading to an accident. As a result, minivans are often seen as safer and less risky for insurance companies.

Then there are luxury cars and foreign imports, which often have higher insurance costs simply because they’re more expensive to repair.

Do red cars get tickets more often?

If you drive a red car, you might have wondered if you’re more likely to get pulled over by the police. After all, there’s a widespread belief that red cars are more likely to be pulled over than other cars. However, there isn’t a ton of evidence to support this claim.

Here’s the thing. Drivers who are more likely to get tickets are also more likely to choose red cars or flashy models. At least, that’s the theory.

Perhaps this is because they want to be seen as rebels, and they think that driving a loud car will make them look cool. Of course, this often backfires, and they end up getting pulled over more often. Unfortunately, not only does this mean that they have to pay more in fines, but a written warning also affects their insurance rates.

With that said, while a red car might be more likely to get pulled over, it’s not necessarily more expensive to insure. In fact, many safe drivers happen to drive red cars and pay very reasonable rates for their insurance.

Do red cars get stolen more often?

When it comes to car insurance, one of the factors taken into consideration is the vehicle’s replacement value. More expensive car models are more costly to insure because from the insurer’s perspective, they are more difficult to replace if stolen.

Which color car is more or less likely to be stolen could also be a question to ask yourself if you’re trying to determine what color to buy. While there is no guarantee that a specific car shade will or will not be stolen, some colors are definitely more popular with thieves.

With that said, most thieves would agree that red is not the most attractive shade. It tends to stand out more than other colors. And, of course, they want to blend in and not call attention to themselves, so they’re more likely to target black, white, or silver cars over red ones.

Does a car’s color ever matter?

Most insurance companies don’t really care what color your car is when it comes to paint jobs. As long as it’s a standard color that a body shop can easily match, they’ll happily cover the cost of the paint.

However, there are occasions where paint color can affect the price of premiums. If you have a custom paint job on your car that is rare or difficult to match, the insurance company may charge more or refuse to cover the cost of the paint. 

So if you’re thinking of getting a custom paint job, be sure to check with your insurance company first to see if it will affect your premiums.

The Bottom Line: Choose Red If You Like the Color

The bottom line is that no, red cars don’t necessarily cost more to insure than any other car color since most insurers don’t consider car color when setting rates.

So there you have it, the facts about whether red cars cost more to insure! While most insurers don’t consider car color when setting rates, there are a few occasions where paint color can affect premium costs.

But ultimately, you should choose the car color you like best without worrying about how it will affect your insurance rates. And of course, be sure to compare quotes from multiple insurers to get the best rate regardless of what color car you drive.

Case Studies: Fictional Scenarios Based on Real World Factors

Case Study 1: The Responsible Driver

John is a 35-year-old responsible driver with a clean driving record and excellent credit score. He recently purchased a red sedan. Despite the common belief that red cars are more expensive to insure, John received quotes from multiple insurance companies and found that the rates for his red car were no different from those for cars of other colors.

This case study highlights that responsible driving behavior and individual factors play a significant role in determining insurance premiums.

Case Study 2: The High-Risk Driver

Sarah is a 25-year-old high-risk driver with a history of accidents and traffic violations. She purchased a black sports car known for its high-performance capabilities. Insurance companies consider such cars riskier to insure due to their association with reckless driving behaviors.

Consequently, Sarah received higher insurance quotes compared to drivers with safer vehicle choices and cleaner driving records.

Case Study 3: The Safe Driver with Anti-Theft Features

Michael is a 40-year-old safe driver who owns a silver SUV equipped with anti-theft devices and GPS tracking. Insurance companies offer discounts for safety features that reduce the risk of theft. As a result, Michael received lower insurance quotes compared to drivers without these safety features, regardless of their car color.

Case Study 4: The Custom Paint Job Dilemma

Amy is a 30-year-old driver who recently customized her car with a rare and unique paint job. The insurance company informed her that due to the difficulty in matching the paint in case of repairs, her premiums would be slightly higher compared to a standard color. This case study emphasizes that unique paint jobs may have an impact on insurance costs due to the higher cost of repairs or replacement.