Do red cars cost more for car insurance coverage?
It is a myth that owners of red cars pay more for car insurance. Your car insurance rates are more affected by your driving record and credit history.
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Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 23, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 23, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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It has long been thought by many motorists that the color of their cars has a great impact on their car insurance rates. Contrary to popular belief, red cars are not necessarily more expensive to insure than cars of other colors.
The type of vehicle that you drive, as well as the type – not necessarily color – of paint job you have on your car, is far more likely to cause your premiums to be affected.
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Many times, the color red is attached to sports cars and luxury vehicles. Metallic paints and other types of specialty paint jobs can cause the value of a vehicle to increase, thus increasing auto insurance premiums.
Since each car insurance provider calculates risk differently, you should get several quotes to see if your red car really is more expensive to insure.
Read More: Compare Car Insurance Costs
Other risk factors that auto insurance companies consider when insuring red cars is the driving history of the owner.
If a young male driver that has gotten into numerous accidents buys a brand-new red sports car, there is a good chance that his auto insurance premiums will go up substantially.
- The color of your car has less impact on your insurance rates than the type of paint used.
- If you have other “high-risk” factors as a driver, a red car may make your premium increase.
- Red cars don’t have higher traffic violation and accident rates.
- Keeping a safe driving record will reduce your premiums more than changing your paint color.
When does car color affect your car insurance rates?
Although you might want to buy a red car because it is reflective of your personality, your auto insurance provider might put you into a high-risk category because of it.
If you are unmarried, under the age of 25, and have a less-than-spotless driving record, buying a red car might be an indication that you are also taking risks behind the wheel.
While the color of your car may change your premiums, the type of paint used is more of a factor. Many car manufacturers use special pigments to make their own signature automotive paint colors, which usually causes the value of these vehicles to increase.
These specialized paints include:
- Metallic paints
- High gloss finishes
- Paints with metallic specks
These are more expensive to produce. If your car has any of these types of paints, it would be more expensive for your car insurance company to pay out a claim.
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Do red cars get into more accidents or receive more traffic tickets?
There is a myth that red cars are more likely to attract the attention of the police, but this is only true if the driver is doing something wrong. The fact is: red is an eye-catching color.
Safe drivers are always on the lookout for potential hazards, and a red car is much more likely to stand out.
On the other hand, red is no longer the flashy color that it was in years past. There are many new cars being manufactured with dark red paint jobs, orange-red paints, and even metallic reds. These vehicles are pickup trucks, station wagons, and even compact cars.
If you own a car that is very memorable, live in a small town, and the police know you on a first-name basis, then yes, your red car might cause you to get more negative attention.
However, there are probably many other red cars driving on the road with you that have never been pulled over because the drivers are cautious and responsible.
If you visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s website, you can find out which newly manufactured cars are the safest, and likely, the least expensive to insure.
How can the drivers of red cars get lower insurance rates?
- Probably not from a new paint job – Even if you were to have your red car painted a different color, your premiums probably wouldn’t go down right away. After you have been categorized as being in a particular insurance risk group, any changes that you make will need to be consistent.
- Finding applicable discounts – It is a far better idea to look for discountsthat your car insurance provider can use to reduce your rates. Any anti-theft devices such as alarm systems and special locks can help you to get a discount on your car insurance premiums.
- Keeping a safe driving record – By avoiding accidents and receiving few driving infractions, you will see your auto insurance rates go down when it is time to renew your policy. At first, your premiums might not be reduced by much, but any reduction in price is a good sign.
Read More: Does car insurance cover paint jobs?
Within a year or two, your rates will be much lower despite the fact that you are still driving a red car. Remember, the owners of red vehicles can be safe drivers, too. Make an effort and you will see the difference.
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Case Studies: Impact of Red Cars on Insurance Costs
Case Study 1: Specialty Paint Job and Increased Premiums
Sarah owns a red luxury sports car with a unique metallic paint job. When she purchased car insurance for her vehicle, she noticed that her premiums were higher compared to her previous car. Sarah’s insurance company explained that the specialty paint job on her car increased its value, which in turn affected the insurance premiums.
The unique paint job made her vehicle more expensive to repair or replace in the event of an accident, leading to higher insurance costs. This case highlights how the type of paint used on a car can impact insurance rates, rather than just the color.
Case Study 2: Red Car and Young Driver
Michael, a 20-year-old male driver, recently bought a brand-new red sports car. He had a history of multiple accidents on his record. When he obtained car insurance quotes, he was surprised to find that his premiums were significantly higher compared to his friends who owned similar cars in different colors.
The insurance company explained that Michael’s driving history, combined with his choice of a high-performance red sports car, increased the risk associated with insuring him. This case demonstrates how a combination of a driver’s history and the choice of a red sports car can result in higher insurance premiums.
Case Study 3: Responsible Driving and Lower Rates
Emily has been driving a red compact car for several years without any accidents or traffic violations. Despite the common myth that red cars attract more attention from the police, Emily has maintained a clean driving record. When she recently shopped around for car insurance, she discovered that her premiums were not affected by the color of her car.
Instead, her insurance rates were based on her driving history and other risk factors unrelated to the car’s color. This case emphasizes that responsible driving and a clean record can help offset any potential impact of car color on insurance rates.
Case Study 4: Red Pickup Truck and Small Town
John owns a red pickup truck and lives in a small town where everyone knows each other. He noticed that he was frequently pulled over by the police, despite being a cautious and responsible driver. Upon further investigation, he realized that his red pickup truck stood out among the limited number of vehicles in his town, leading to increased attention from law enforcement.
In this case, the combination of a memorable red vehicle and the familiarity of small-town policing contributed to a higher likelihood of traffic stops, highlighting the potential influence of car color on driver experiences in specific contexts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do red cars cost more for car insurance coverage?
No, it is a myth that owners of red cars pay more for car insurance. Your car insurance rates are more affected by your driving record and credit history.
When does car color affect your car insurance rates?
The color of your car does not directly affect your car insurance rates. However, certain types of paint jobs, such as metallic paints or specialty paint jobs, can increase the value of the vehicle and potentially affect your premiums.
Do red cars get into more accidents or receive more traffic tickets?
There is no evidence to suggest that red cars are more likely to get into accidents or receive traffic tickets. The color of the car does not determine the driving behavior of the individual behind the wheel.
How can the drivers of red cars get lower insurance rates?
The color of your car alone does not impact your insurance rates. To get lower insurance rates, focus on maintaining a good driving record, improving your credit history, and comparing quotes from multiple insurance providers.
Is it true that red cars are more likely to attract the attention of the police?
While there is a myth that red cars are more likely to attract police attention, the color of your car alone does not determine whether or not you will be pulled over. Police officers primarily focus on driver behavior and adherence to traffic laws. Responsible driving and following traffic rules are key to avoiding unnecessary attention from the police, regardless of the color of your car.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.