Top 10 Vehicles With the Lowest Insurance Loss Rates for 1999-2001

Although auto insurance costs vary widely depending on where you live, how many accidents you've had in the past, how many miles you drive each year and so on, the kind of car you drive also helps insurers make decisions about you. To help out, we've put together a list of the 10 vehicles with the lowest average injury and collision losses, based on data collected by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) for 1999-2001 models. Injury loss rates are calculated according to claim frequencies filed under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policies, while collision loss rates are determined on the basis of average loss payments per insured vehicle year. (The HLDI also tracks theft loss rates, but unless you live in a large city where theft is a major problem, these shouldn't have a big effect on your premium.)

Obviously, low insurance loss rates aren't the only reason to buy a particular vehicle, especially since large trucks generally rule this list — the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Escape being notable exceptions. Instead they're one more factor to consider before making a buying decision. One more thing to keep in mind: The results here are generally representative of the current versions of these models, according to the HLDI. A major redesign can affect a vehicle's loss rates, but none of the vehicles below have changed significantly since 2001.

1. 1. 1999, 2000 and 2001 GMC Yukon

2. 2. 2000 and 2001 GMC Yukon XL

3. 3. 1999, 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe

4. 4. 2000 and 2001 Ford Excursion

5. 5. 1999, 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 1999 and 2000 Chevrolet C/K 2500

   (Light-duty 2500s were redesigned for 1999; heavy-duties had to wait until 2001, at which time the name changed from "C/K 2500" to "Silverado 2500HD.")

6. 6. 1999, 2000 and 2001 GMC Sierra 2500, 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 1999 and 2000 Sierra Classic C/K 2500

   (Light-duty 2500s were redesigned for 1999; heavy-duties were distinguished by the "Sierra Classic" name until their turn in 2001.)

7. 7. 1999, 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Suburban

8. 8. 1999, 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Corvette

9. 9. 1999, 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500HD and 1999 Chevrolet C/K 1500

   (Chevrolet sold both the old C/K half-ton pickup and the new half-ton Silverado in 1999.)

10. 10. 2001 Ford Escape