Do You Know Your Vehicle’s Auto Safety Rating?

An excellent auto safety rating may not be at the top of your priority list when you are car shopping, but maybe it should.

Many consumers are focused on gas mileage and other features like a good sound system. Considering how the car will handle in a collision is sometimes only an afterthought.

But whether you’re buying a new car or assessing the condition of your current vehicle, the auto safety rating matters. You’d like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your vehicle is equipped with the proper technology to minimize injury to both the passengers and the vehicle itself if you are in an accident.

NHTSA and IIHS: Which One Is Accurate?

Two organizations conduct safety tests: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While the first is a government organization, the second is a nonprofit that receives funding from car insurance companies.

While both organizations test similarly, looking at frontal crashes, side crashes and rollover risks, they also test differently. For example, while the NHTSA tests frontal crashes by driving the vehicle into a wall, the IIHS uses a barrier that simulates how another vehicle would act in reality.

Neither organization is necessarily better than the other, but they are different. The NHTSA grades cars on a five-star scale. The IIHS grades cars in different categories as poor, marginal, acceptable and good. Ultimately, if you have a car with a five-star NHTSA rating and a “good” grade from the IIHS, you are in prime shape.

While both the NHTSA and the IIHS test many cars, they do not test all makes and models. They tend to focus on cars that are more popular. So if your car does not have an auto safety rating, it’s not because it failed, it’s because the organizations most likely did not test the car as of yet.

Exceptional Auto Safety Rating? Enjoy This Benefit Also

Guess who also looks at auto safety ratings? Car insurance companies. When you purchase a car that’s highly rated by both organizations, you can expect a much lower car insurance bill than a comparable model without the same safety technology.

Partner with a Towing Company You Trust

The better your vehicle’s safety rating, the more protected you and your passengers will be in the event of an accident. But there’s another way you can help protect both your well-being and your finances in case you’re in a collision: Research a reputable towing company. 

Any vehicle accident, no matter how minor, is an emotional, jarring event. If you know who you can trust to transport your vehicle quickly and efficiently, that is one less concern on your mind. Save the contact information for Stauffer’s Towing if you want an on-call towing team specializing in everything from vehicle lockouts to accident responses and more.

Whether or not your vehicle’s auto safety rating proves worthwhile, Stauffer’s Towing will be there to offer dependable towing assistance when you need it.