When you buy a car, the model and variant often take centre-stage: design, features, price, performance. But did you know that the same model choice can make a big difference when it comes to car insurance costs? In other words: what you drive can significantly influence what you pay when buying insurance. In this article, we explore how your vehicle model affects your car insurance premium, and why using a broker such as Jio Broking Insurance (or its online platform JioInsure) can make a smart difference.
Insurance companies look at what it would cost them to repair or replace your car in case of damage or total loss. If you own a high-end or luxury vehicle, a model with expensive spare parts or costly maintenance, insurers anticipate that a claim will cost more. That risk translates into a higher premium.
Even features like engine size, body type (SUV, hatchback, sedan), or whether the car is imported vs locally manufactured can influence repair cost and thus premium.
Some car models are more desirable than others either because they’re trendy, have high resale value, or have parts that are in demand on the secondary market. Insurers treat popular and high-theft-risk models as more likely to be stolen or vandalized, and this increases the insurance premium.
Conversely, a less flashy, widely used, and lower-value model might lead to a lower premium because the risk and potential pay-out are lower.
Modern car models often come equipped with safety and security features like airbags, anti-theft alarms, anti-lock braking systems, advanced driver-assist systems, stronger build quality, etc. Cars with better safety ratings or built-in security features are generally considered lower risk for accidents or theft. Many insurers pass on this risk mitigation to the policyholder in the form of lower premiums or discounts.
If your vehicle model has advanced safety or security features, you could be rewarded with more affordable premiums.
The model’s newness & its manufacturing year also plays a role. Newer models tend to have higher replacement value and possibly newer feature sets, which pushes premiums upward. Over time, as the car’s value depreciates, the insurance cost may reduce accordingly (depending on the policy and coverage).
Additionally, insurers use a metric called Insured Declared Value (IDV) essentially the car’s current market value to gauge what they'd need to pay in case of total loss. Higher IDV equates to higher premiums.
When you apply for car insurance, companies (or brokers like Jio Broking Insurance) typically evaluate a combination of factors. Among them:
Of course, besides car-related factors, insurers also examine driver-specific elements (driving history, claims record), location, usage frequency, and type of coverage but model remains a major determining factor.
With the number of variables involved, getting a fair and well-tailored insurance premium isn’t always straightforward. This is where Jio Broking Insurance (and its platform JioInsure) offers value:
In short: with Jio Broking Insurance, you're more likely to get a policy that reflects the real risk and value of your exact vehicle and not just a generic car profile.
If you’re in the market for a new or used car and also thinking about insurance cost, here are some practical takeaways:
When buying car insurance, the debate often centres around coverage type, add-ons, and driver history. But your car’s model and variant something many people pick mainly for looks, comfort, or performance quietly carries substantial weight in insurance premium calculations.
Understanding this link can save you unwanted costs down the road. And by going through a reputed broker like Jio Broking Insurance / JioInsure, you ensure your car’s true profile make, model, IDV and safety features are fully taken into account. This means the premium you pay reflects actual risk, and not arbitrary assumptions.
So next time you pick a car, don’t just ask: Do I like this model? Ask: Am I ready for the insurance premium that comes with this model?