Mini cars and small cars have most frequent personal injury insurance claims in U.S.: report

The 2009 to 2011 Toyota Yaris and Suzuki SX4 models were among the cars with the highest frequency of personal injury insurance claims in the United States, according to a new status report.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute reported that those models, along with several other mini, small and midsize four-door cars, had more frequent than average personal injury claims. 

The Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette had the lowest frequency in the same area, as did several large luxury vehicles and pickups.

In terms of collision coverage, large sports cars and luxury sports cars, such as those made by Ferrari and Porsche had the highest overall losses.

The overall losses average for each vehicle reflects the frequency of claims and the average loss payment per claim. Several SUVs of varying sizes, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ Cruiser, had the lowest overall collision losses.

Midsize sports cars, including models from Chevrolet and Porsche had the lowest overall losses for property damage liability, while large pickups and SUVs such as the Dodge Ram 2500 mega 4WD and the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid 4WD had the highest overall losses in the same area.

In terms of comprehensive coverage, small pickups and SUVs such as the Chevrolet Colorado and Mercury Mariner hybrid had the lowest overall losses. Luxury cars, including several BMW and Mercedes models, had the highest overall losses.

The data “…generally are good predictors of the experience of current versions of the same vehicle models,” according to the IIHS. “However, when automakers substantially redesign their vehicles, the experience of an earlier model with the same name may not predict the experience of the newer design,” it notes.

The IIHS has loss figures for all areas of auto insurance for many 2009 to 2011 vehicle models published on its website at www.iihs.org.