Are minivans affordable to insure?

The recent rise of SUVs has left minivans a bit in the lurch. Since SUVs are generally much larger, more comfortable, and capable of carrying greater weights, minivans have lagged behind in recent years, despite their many considerable advantages. In addition to being generally more fuel efficient and less prone to tipping over, their simple construction, sturdy weight, and on-road reliability make them much less expensive to insure. They also tend to be less likely to be involved in accidents, both because they drive well and because of the key psychological effects that minivans and SUVs have on their drivers. As such, minivans offer a considerable advantage over many other types of cars when it comes to auto insurance.

The number one reason minivans are less expensive to insure is that they are much more resistant to damage in minor accidents. Minivans are small, low and compact, allowing any forces generated in a crash to be distributed over a wide area, dissipating energy and minimizing damage. Also, while they are more prone to rolling over in a tight corner than comparable sedans and hatchbacks, the concentration of weight deep in the body means minivans are difficult to roll over, and their shape allows for a very solidly reinforced roof to prevent injury to passengers during a roll over. Lastly, since most minivans offer an excellent view and plenty of room with good restraint systems, passengers inside vans are also less likely to be injured in a crash. The passive, non-aggressive nature of minivans also helps the driver to be courteous and minivan drivers have been shown to be more courteous and cautious than other types of drivers.

Of course, no two minivans have exactly the same insurance rate. Older minivans will tend to require less insurance, because they have a lower value and are more likely to be destroyed than repaired in the event of an accident. Also, trucks with higher safety features tend to require lower insurance rates, since passengers are less likely to be injured and therefore file a claim. Basic models cost less to insure than more complex ones, and models intended to carry cargo will be less expensive to insure than those that carry passengers.

So if insurance costs are a factor when buying a minivan, it would be a good idea to buy a used vehicle with a good safety record, secure restraint systems, and moderate usage. Many popular van models have changed very little over the years, allowing you to get a van that looks and feels almost like new, but is much less to insure. Also, older vans will have a known accident history, allowing you to choose a vehicle that is easy and inexpensive to insure and repair.