SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES EXPERIENCE HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM RATES

Higher losses from accidents and higher theft rates may lead to higher insurance rates for sports utility vehicles.

The Highway Loss Data Institute reports that while the weight of sport utility vehicles improves passenger safety in an accident, they can also cause more damage to other vehicles and injuries to other drivers and passengers.

As insurance companies incorporate higher losses into the rate-making process, experts say SUV liability rates will increase.

In addition, three of the top five worst vehicles for theft loss are SUVs , which means higher loss payments from insurance companies. Theft loss payments are the cost to replace or repair vehicles after they are stolen.

The high cost of vehicles doesn't mean there are more sports utility vehicles being stolen. In fact, the frequency of theft claims is down, while the amount companies are paying for theft is rising with the retail cost of SUVs.