Big car = big damage in crashes

While you may take comfort in driving a larger vehicle with the knowledge that larger cars are safer in car crashes than smaller ones, many large cars are the ones that cause the most damage to other cars in an accident, according to a recently released study of 2009-2011 model-year vehicles by the Highway Data Loss Institute.

There were two pickups, three sport utility vehicles and one sedan within the top five vehicles that cause the highest property damage liability — defined as damages inflicted on other people’s vehicles and property. The institute’s study results were adjusted to factor out all nonvehicle-related issues associated with the claims, including the driver’s age, gender and marital status.

The top five vehicles causing the highest property damage liability insurance rates from most to least are the Dodge Ram 2500 mega 4WD pickup, Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid 4WD SUV, Toyota Tundra double 4WD (long wheelbase) pickup, Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, and, tied for fifth, the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD SUV and Land Rover LR2 4WD SUV.

Property damage liability is just one of many factors used in calculating auto insurance rates.