Insurance for cars news
15/06/2009
Big bumpers bash better!
An increasing number of drivers are opting for smaller cars to save money on their fuel bills and insurance for cars. However, few realise that they are putting themselves and their cheap car insurance at risk due to the inadequate bumpers that smaller cars tend to have.
Bumpers are designed to absorb the energy of an impact therefore reducing the damage to the car. However on smaller cars, many bumpers are not high enough to engage with the bumpers on the colliding vehicle. This means that more damage will be inflicted resulting in higher car insurance claims.
Out of seven mini and micro cars crashed into barriers at six miles an hour, none earned the top rating of 'good' in the study held by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper and Kia Rio all earned poor ratings with the Kia Rio rating the worst. Although the smart car rated well in the testings, this was only because its plastic parts are cheaper to replace, not because it is any more durable.
Therefore if you are thinking of buying a smaller car, it may be worth checking out its bumper to ensure that your insurance for cars will not be put at risk.
News archives
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- Autumn 2008
- Summer 2008
- Spring 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- more...
Blog