Are Red Cars More Expensive to Insure?

Red is the 6th most popular selling car color in the nation. The one thing that prevents this bright shade from climbing up the ranks is insurance companies. 

Are red cars more expensive to insure? Almost everyone has heard that the answer to this question is yes. 

That prompts people to buy a car that’s a more everyday shade, such as black or white. We’re here to tell you to get whatever vehicle your heart desires. 

Insurance companies care more about a car’s make and model than the color. Check out this guide to learn what will actually make your policy go up. 

Are Red Cars More Expensive to Insure?

You can still get cheap car insurance in Alexandria if you drive around in a red car. It won’t cause your premium to go up more than a blue or green car would. 

If that doesn’t reassure you, it is possible to make your insurance premium go down. Most companies will give you a discount for installing theft deterrent systems in your car. 

What Factors Do Insurance Companies Look At? 

Insurance companies look at many factors when determining your premium, but as stated above, color isn’t one of them. They are much more interested in the make and model of your car. 

They’ll also take your age and gender, driving record, occupation, location, and marital status into account. 

Car Model

When you call an insurance company to set up a new policy, they’ll ask you for the make, model, and year of the vehicle you’ll be driving. If you want to insure an SUV or sports car, you can expect to receive a higher price quote. 

It doesn’t matter if the sports car is red or bright green. They are expensive to insure. 

Insurance companies will also take the year of your car into account. You’ll spend more to put a 2022 vehicle on the road than a 2013 one. 

Age and Gender

As far as insurance companies are concerned, younger drivers are more at risk of getting into an accident than older ones. So, if you’re under 25, you can expect to pay much more than someone who is 30. 

Your gender will also have an impact on your insurance policy. Men often have a higher premium than women. 

Driving Record

Insurance companies will consider how many traffic tickets you’ve received and the number of accidents you’ve been in. 

If you’ve been found at fault for several crashes, it won’t matter if you drive a red car. You’ll have a higher auto insurance premium. 

Job

Insurance companies can’t discriminate against you if you’re unemployed, but they will look at you less favorably than someone with a job. 

There is even some bias based on what someone does for a living. You could have to pay higher car insurance costs if you’re a cashier.

It’s sad, but some insurance companies see those in more professional fields as safer drivers. 

Marital Status

Most insurance companies view married couples as responsible individuals. Responsible means they’re less likely to get into an accident and file a claim. 

Note that if you or your spouse have a bunch of car accidents on your driving record, being a married couple will have the opposite effect. 

Location

It’s cheaper to insure a car in some states than in others. If you live in a big city that’s prone to theft and flood, that will affect your premium. 

Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over More Often? 

Many believe that red cars get pulled over more often than others. That’s the fuel to the fire that is the myth that red cars are more expensive to insure. 

There might be some truth to this belief. Red cars stand out more, so if you make a traffic violation, it’s likely that an office is going to take notice.

However, an officer isn’t going to pull you over for no reason. As long as you follow the rules of the road, you won’t have to worry about getting pulled over. 

Improper Lane Changes

Drivers that switch lanes without giving others the time to react can cause a nasty traffic accident. 

You must first make sure you have the room to switch lanes. Turn on your turn signal to tell everyone on the road what you’re about to do. If you weave in and out of traffic, a cop will stop you. 

Speeding

Speed limit signs exist for a reason. You can go five over without worrying about getting pulled over. If you go ten or more over, you’ll be stopped if a cop catches you. 

Speeding can put you and everyone else on the road in danger. Always leave your home in time to get where you need to go to avoid the temptation to speed. 

Tailgating

When the roads are clear, you should be far enough behind the car in front of you to see their tires. If you can’t see them, you won’t be able to react fast enough if the driver happens to slam on the brakes. 

If it’s raining or snowing, you’ll want to stay even further from the person in front of you. 

Driving too close to the other cars on the road is also known as tailgating, and cops will pull you over for doing it. 

Cell Phone Usage

If you must use your cell phone while you drive, pull over. Talking on the phone is distracting. It could cause you to crash into another car.  

In many states, using your phone for anything other than a GPS while you drive is illegal. If a cop sees you, they’ll pull you over. 

Equipment Violation

If the windows on your red car are tinted a shade too dark, a police officer will take notice. The same goes for broken tail lights and other equipment violations. 

Equipment violations can lead to a ticket. The good news is that you can sometimes have the ticket dismissed if you fix the issue before your court date. 

Are Red Cars More Vulnerable to Theft? 

Another myth surrounding the price of insuring red cars is that they are more vulnerable to theft than other vehicles. 

Your red car may get stolen if it’s a newer model. If you’re driving around in a crimson 2012, you don’t have much to worry about. Thieves likely won’t bother it unless you have something worth stealing in your backseat. 

In the case of color, thieves often go after black, gold, white, and green vehicles. If you’re still worried about someone breaking into your car, there are ways for you to limit your risk. 

Keep Your Doors Locked

Your car doors should be locked when you’re not in the vehicle. This is true even if the car is sitting in your driveway. 

Contrary to popular belief, thieves don’t like to create a spectacle. They aren’t likely to draw attention to themselves by smashing your window in. 

It may be tempting to leave your windows open on a hot day to keep the inside of your vehicle cool. However, a cracked window is a welcome sign for a thief. 

Keep Your Keys Close By

Keep your keys on you at all times. If you leave them out in the open for a thief to grab, they will.

Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you’re only going to be in the store for a second. That’s as long as it will take for someone to steal your car. 

Watch Where You Park Your Car

Park your car in secure areas. For example, if your workplace has an employee-only garage that you need a key fob to access, utilize it. 

If you must park out in the open, be selective about it. The best spots are well-lit areas located near security cameras. 

Remove Your Valuables

If you don’t have anything worth stealing in your vehicle, thieves are less likely to bother it. 

Avoid leaving your purse in the car while you run into the store or putting your phone out in the open where everyone can see it. 

Buy the Car You Want

Are red cars more expensive to insure? No. Insurance companies don’t even consider the color of your vehicle when deciding your premium. 

They only care about the make and model of the car. As long as you follow the rules of the road and don’t give thieves easy access to your car, your premium will probably be pretty low.

For more tips that will help you save money on your auto insurance policy, explore our blog!