I know this isn't hybrid related but it is about the benefits all the computer gizmos are giving cars today. Many new cars have automatic emergency braking these days and there are now enough of them here that the UK insurance industry have gathered some stats. Turns out these cars have significantly reduced accident rates compared to others without the automatic braking; by as much as 45%. Will self-driving cars cut insurance bills? Report finds automatic systems can reduce accident claims by HALF | Daily Mail Online "Experts at Thatcham say that since launch, third party injury claims on the latest Volkswagen Golf are 45 per cent lower than an equivalent small family car 'control group'." I'm guessing that a 45% reduction in injury claims is some saving. I do like technology if there is a significant benefit to having it.
I do not know. Liability and injury claims make up the main part of insurance claims here and if I car reduces them by 45% then it'll cost less to insure. Over here each model of car has an insurance rating and if a model is proved to reduce accidents then it's rating will reduce too. Saying that, the Prius is one of the lowest already.
In 2009, Toyota was offering the Prius with the package if we paid an extra $8,000 over the $24,000 (33%) for the model we bought. I would have paid $2,000 extra for the package but the $6,000 was not a fair deal. Bob Wilson
