2013 GMC Sierra, 2013 Ford Edge Lauded by Insurance Experts

The folks over at Insure.com must have had a busy first month of the year: The web’s “#1 Source for Insurance” recently released results from two important industry studies designed to help shoppers find the vehicles that best meet their needs. First, for those drivers who put a priority on passenger safety, the site evaluated insurance rates for occupant coverage for injuries suffered in a vehicle crash. And it turns out that a little Professional Grade engineering goes a long way in terms of which vehicles best protect their occupants in case of an incident, since the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 led the way, with the 2013 GMC Yukon, 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD, and 2013 GMC Terrain also finishing in the top five. It was only the second-place 2013 Porsche Cayenne that prevented a GMC clean sweep.

Of course, while the hard work of GMC engineers provided the winning edge in the Insure.com evaluations, it was no surprise to find big trucks atop the rankings. As explained by Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): “If safety is a priority, you should avoid the smallest cars.

“The laws of physics are always in play in crashes. Weight counts. Smaller, lighter cars are safer than they used to be, but all things being equal, people riding in bigger, heavier vehicles get more protection in crashes.”

As you’ll see on the next page, the same factors also impact overall insurance rates, too.

2013 Insure.com: Least Expensive to Insure

Just because a vehicle provides superior occupant protection doesn’t necessarily mean paying for insurance comes cheap. In fact, none of the five most protective vehicles found their way onto Insure.com’s list of the least expensive to insure. On the other hand, the top 20 least-expensive roster does share a similar tilt toward bigger vehicles, with 18 crossovers and one minivan—and just one car—earning recognition.

The leaders and their average annual insurance premiums:

• 2013 Ford Edge (SE)—$1,128
• 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo—$1,148
• 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium—$1,150
• 2013 Kia Sportage—$1,157
• 2013 Jeep Patriot Sport—$1,160
• 2013 Chevrolet Express 1500—$1,171
• 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R—$1,180
• 2013 Hyundai Tucson GLS—$1,189
• 2013 Ford Explorer—$1,197
• 2013 Hyundai Tucson GL—$1,204
• 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT—$1,206
• 2013 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium—$1,210
• 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT—$1,210
• 2013 Honda Odyssey EX-L—$1,217
• 2013 Jeep Compass Sport—$1,217
• 2013 Kia Sorento LX (2WD)—$1,222
• 2013 Nissan Pathfinder S—$1,224
• 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2LT—$1,235
• 2013 Honda Fit—$1,235
• 2013 Kia Sorento LX (4WD)—$1,237

(Note: Premiums are averages based on data from six large insurance carriers for coverage for a single, 40-year-old male, with a 12-mile daily commute, a clean record and good credit who selects policy limits of $100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries, and $50,000 for property damage, with a $500 deductible for collision/comprehensive coverage.)