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What are Institute for Highway Safety ratings?
I get the basic idea of what an NHTSA crash test rating is, but I’m at a loss for what the IIHS ratings mean or what a Top Safety Pick implies. What exactly are the safety ratings from the IIHS?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
According to its mission statement, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research, evaluation, and education of consumers, policymakers, and safety professionals.
To this effect, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings are more in-depth than NHTSA ratings. They are also based on different criteria.
Instead of solely crash testing vehicles, the IIHS assesses:
- Roof strength
- Driver-assist features
- Headlights
- Head restraints and car seats
- Seat belts and child restraints
After scrutinizing these criteria plus crash tests, the IIHS gives each vehicle a rating as follows:
- Good
- Acceptable
- Marginal
- Poor
To garner a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, a car must get a Good rating in all six categories of its crash test, as well as Good or Acceptable marks in the other areas.
In 2022, 108 models earned a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating, making it a record year and showcasing the major advancements in safety technology.
But even if you buy the safest car in terms of IIHS ratings, you still need a proper
car insurance
policy to protect your vehicle from other motorists and accidents. The best place to find a great rate is with the Jerry
app.Jerry is a licensed broker and insurance comparison tool that collects quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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