| Mike's Comments |
Oct 25, 2009Researching cars? Why not check out youtube. I've been asked a few times about what cars are 'safer.' I can provide statistics and insurance rates, however one of the most eye opening things you can do is look up the vehicle you are considering and see how it performed on crash tests. If you go to www.youtube.com and type in whatever vehicle you are looking for, eg, Toyota Yaris - crash test, you will likely find video from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the U.S. These videos often tell you how the vehicle performed, but more importantly, it's the picture which tells the story. These videos convinced me very quickly of the critical importance of side air bags to protect the driver and passenger's heads in any type of offset or t-bone type of crash. Other things to look for; watch how well the passenger compartment stays intact and do the doors stay closed. These can help make the decision between two or three models you might be considering. Video from 5th gear (a British show) can also be very informative, though obviously some of the vehicles they test are not available here. Regardless, they provide some important insight into what happens during crashes, and some of the things that you can do to protect yourself. Michael Stuart, BBA, FCIP, CRM, CAIB Grant, Jones & Stuart Insurance Brokers |