Hybrid Car Insurance Rates
A GreenBiz article entitled Hybrid Drivers Cash in on Premium Insurance Rates talks about an insurance rate which is preferential to owners of hybrid cars. The curious thing is that Travelers couches its decision in the language of “innovative products” and “changing needs”:
Additionally, hybrid vehicle sales have at least doubled every year since the first car was offered in the U.S. in 1999. This trend shows no signs of slowing, and Travelers intends to serve this growing market with innovative products to meet the changing needs of our customers.
And while at first this might seem like a welcome recognition of the larger impact that hybrid cars intend to have, such as reducing dependance on oil and reducing emissions, the real reason appears to be the type of driver:
According to the company the average hybrid owner is 41-60, married and a responsible driver.
In the spirit of “everything is connected”, I wonder when the real value of driving a hybrid, or any alternative fuel car, will be recognized. And by this I’m referring to the exposure that insurance companies have with regard to environmental issues.