Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are a standard safety feature that can get you cheap car insurance. Many auto insurance companies provide incentives for features that reduce the danger of your vehicle, such as anti-lock braking. Even though anti-lock brakes have been needed on all new vehicles for several years, most insurers still provide specific ABS discounts on auto insurance.
When you are looking for car insurance quotes, you can get lower car insurance rates when you opt for an anti-lock braking system. You can see the lower rates when comparing car insurance quotes. Inquire with the insurance agent for an anti-lock brake discount. Alternatively, you can compare car insurance quotes online to find the best car insurance rates. If your car insurance company offers a special discount for getting anti-lock brakes, you can expect to save 2% to 5% by having ABS. Some insurance providers combine ABS discounts with a more significant ‘safety equipment discount, which may be worth anywhere from 5% to 20% of the vehicle’s accident rate. Insurance premiums for a vehicle with extensive safety features would be lower than for a vehicle with minimal safety features.
What do Anti-lock brakes mean?
Anti-lock brakes are made up of four significant components, which are as follows:
- Sensors that measure the speed of the wheels.
- The apply and reapply of the brake pressure of the valves in the brake line
- Hydraulic fluid-filled pumps that apply pressure to the brake drums and calipers
- A controller that analyzes sensor data to decide when the anti-lock braking system should be activated.
For decades, anti-lock brakes have become standard on new vehicles. They were, however, invented in the 1920s as a braking mechanism for aircraft. Vehicle manufacturers introduced the scheme in the 1970s to improve vehicle safety. As you move, this mechanism occurs behind the scenes in milliseconds. Here’s the simple step-by-step procedure that happens when you slam on your brakes:
- You depress the brake pedal.
- The detection of skidding and locking by the sensors in the wheels
- During a skid, the ABS pumps the brakes hundreds of times per second, allowing you better control of the car.
The majority of vehicles sold in the last ten years have anti-lock braking. However, some insurers continue to offer anti-lock brake discounts ranging from 2% to 5%. ABS has been shown to save lives, minimize injuries in collisions, and lower insurance rates. Insurance firms offer a small discount as a result of the lower risk. In the United States, the average total coverage car insurance premium is about $1416 a year, which means anti-lock braking could save you $21 to $66 a year on car insurance.
How does ABS (Anti-lock braking) work?
Anti-lock braking devices address a critical issue for cars. When you slam on your brakes in slick weather, your brakes lock up and you slide. This reduces momentum and makes steering difficult. People used to suggest ‘pushing the brakes’ to prevent locking the brakes in slippery conditions. If you feel your vehicle slip, repeatedly press the brakes to slow down and gain traction without locking the brakes.
Unfortunately, in an emergency, few people remember to pump the brakes. If someone steps in front of your car on an icy lane, for example, you don’t have time to think: you slam on the brakes.
Anti-lock brakes save lives in this manner. They help you to maintain control and come to a stop faster – even if your vehicle is skidding. Anti-lock braking systems operate by constantly releasing and reapplying the brakes. When you slam on the brakes, the ABS senses it and pumps the brakes hundreds of times per second. This prevents the wheels from skidding and allows you to maintain complete control of the car.
Importance of ABS to your car insurance
All major insurance agencies offer discounts on protection features. Many insurance companies have a special discount on anti-lock braking. Typically, insurance providers group protection feature discounts together. If your car has new safety features or was manufactured during the last few years, you should be eligible for this discount.
However, some insurers continue to give a special anti-lock brake discount, lowering car insurance rates by 2% to 5% only for providing anti-lock brakes. Some insurers classify safety features and offer different discounts depending on the type of safety feature.
To determine how much you can save with anti-lock brake car insurance discounts, contact your insurer or compare rates online.
Depending on where you work, anti-lock brakes have been standard safety features on cars for 7 to 20 years. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began mandating anti-lock brakes on new vehicles in September 2013. In other words, since September 2013, every new car sold in the United States must have anti-lock brakes. However, anti-lock brakes are also used on many older cars. If your car is more than 20 years old, it might have anti-lock brakes.
Anti-lock brakes have been shown to save lives by lowering the risk of collisions and injuries. That means anti-lock brakes save car insurance companies money, which is why getting anti-lock brakes gets you a discount.
However, when calculating insurance premiums, insurance providers consider more than just safety features. Insurance firms also take into account your risk as a driver (based on your driving background, experience, and demographics) as well as the risk of your car.
Some cars are less likely to be involved in an accident than others. Some cars have higher rollover or crash survival scores. Some cars are fitted with safety features that significantly reduce the fatality rate, while others are stripped down and have few safety features. When it comes to assigning rates, insurance firms look at all of this information. To measure risk, insurers examine accident data from across the United States. The insurer calculates premiums based on the probability of the driver and the car.
