Comments on: Why does the engine size of a car make so much difference in car insurance quotes?

By: manuel7marin

manuel7marin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:34:22 +0000

Bigger engine is more expensive

By: Insomniac

Insomniac — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:28:39 +0000

If it helps, think of cars with larger engines as ones that you will have had “to do your apprenticeship” to drive - a larger-engined car is much more within its’ stride when being driven a lot faster than a small-engined one. Brakes and suspension are built to take the engines’ higher output.
I can understand insurance companies loading a larger-eingined car, as someone who buys such a car, and isn’t used to the performance, will suddenly find themself hurtling along! Bigger-engined cars tend to be 6 or more cylinders, they are often silky-smooth and very much quieter than a small-engined “town” car, which is working hard to get to 70mph.
Here’s something to cheer you up - when you DO have full No-Claims’ Bonus, and are over 25, you can get cheap insurance on a fast, big-engined car. I am 42, have never claimed, and can get insurance on my 4.5litre V8′d custom-car for under 300 a year!

By: bur p

bur p — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:44:44 +0000

it’s mainly down to the fact that vehicles with larger engines are more expensive to repair because they are normally larger vehicles, we did have a problem in the UK where the small hot hatches i.e. (golf gti’s, escort xr3i’s etc) became targets by thieves so premiums for that type of vehicle went sky high.

By: focus

focus — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:11:28 +0000

Its all to do with the risk factor. A 1.0 lt car would normally cost a lot less than a 2 lt car to repair/replace. Statistics also show that the smaller car has less serious accidents. Now you have to add in all the other items, like age group of driver (young drivers have far more accidents and are therefore a greater risk). Where you live can influence the accident rate, as well as a poor driving record.
So a elderly accident free driver living in a accident free area would be a far lesser risk for the insurance companies, so the premium would be considerably less.

By: cerial0411

cerial0411 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:42:39 +0000

Back in the muscle car days the larger engines produced loads more power then what two of the smaller engines could hope to produce.
Because of this power on demand over the power when i will get it. The larger engines had a reputation to cause worse accidents. Not because the damage was any different at a set speed. But, because it is human nature to want to pass or get ahead of the other guy.Something that is easier to do with a larger engine.

Now a days there are 4cylinder engines that are putting out more hp then some V8’s(stock).The reasoning behind the higher rates is because it is how it was done in the past and it is how it will be done in the future. And there is the simple fact that if a model offers a 4cylinder and a 8 cylinder. The 8 cylinder in going to be a higher cost with probably more luxuriates then a 4 so higher cost and higher insurance.

Goodluck

By: mbrcatz

mbrcatz — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:06:11 +0000

A bigger engine, means the car can go faster. A faster car does more damage on impact than a slower car. More damage equals higher claims.

Also, cars that are advertised as “fast”, tend to be used/purchased more by people who tend to speed, thus having accidents with higher claims damages.

Lastly, the raw data shows that cars with bigger engines, on the whole, have higher/more frequent claims payouts than cars with smaller engines. And it’s the last bit that REALLY counts. Why do 16 year olds have higher claims payout? It doesn’t matter - they do, so their rates are higher. Why do 8 cyl. engines have higher claims payout? It doesn’t matter - they do, so their rates are higher.

By: Chuck P

Chuck P — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:22:11 +0000

They say it has to do with repair cost along with the fact that many cars with bigger engines are purchased by people who like to go fast. They don’t need proof of their theories they just need a reason to charge you more, that’s their way. Insurance is to be viewed as a necessary evil, they are all crooks but they have better lawyers, what other company besides the government could pass a law that all citizens have to purchase their products.