Are Red Cars More Expensive to Insure?

What type of person buys a red car? Maybe the ostentatious sort? Someone who wants to see and be seen? A driver who wouldn't think twice about initiating a drag race in the middle of five o'clock traffic? Perhaps. But the insurance company doesn't take this into consideration when issuing quotes.

People have long believed that red cars cost more to insure, but in reality car insurance companies rarely even ask about the color of a vehicle. According to KCBY 11, the color of your vehicle is the last thing on the insurance company's mind.

Red Cars and Insurance Myths

It is true that the buyer of a red car might be more likely to drive recklessly or to accrue speeding tickets. The color red is often associated with passion, speed, violence and danger, but many people are drawn to it because they appreciate the aesthetic appeal. They aren't interested in burning rubber through midtown intersections.

According to MSN, it is often believed that red cars get more speeding tickets, and therefore drivers of red cars have higher insurance premiums. This proves to be a myth, as well, because statistically, no one color vehicle is associated with more-than-average speeding tickets.

Driving Red

So why is this myth perpetuated? If red cars don't cost more to insure, why do people think they do?

Most likely for the reasons stated above. People associate red cars with speed and recklessness, so they assume insurance companies would take that into consideration.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that even if red cars don't cost more to insure, they might be more noticeable on the road. In a sea of blue, green and silver vehicles, your red car is going to more effectively attract the attention of waiting police officers. This doesn't mean you're being targeted based on the color of your car, but it is important not to discount common sense.

When buying a vehicle, pay more attention to the make and model of the car than the color. Does it have high horsepower? Is it expensive to buy? How are the safety features? These are factors that insurance companies will consider when setting your premiums.

Other Colors

Red isn't the only loud or bright color of car. What about people who buy yellow, orange or kelly-green vehicles? These cars are just as likely to be noticed, yet we don't hear that yellow cars cost more to insure. It's just the reds.

Based on nothing else, this is reason enough to consider the quality of the vehicle rather than the color when buying a new car. Since red cars don't cost more to insure, you can feel free to drive in whatever style you fancy.