Insuring a Dodge

In recent years, Dodge has transformed itself. The automaker has reestablished itself as a manufacturer of stylish, aggressively designed performance vehicles. While there are still plenty of family-friendly options in the Dodge lineup, the company is focusing more on outward appearances these days. One thing that remains consistent, though, is the low cost of some of Dodge's most popular cars. Although Dodge vehicles are generally quite affordable, insuring them isn't always that cheap. Several factors come into play when it comes to determining Dodge insurance premiums. The average cost to insure a Dodge car is $1,576.20, which ranks it 23rd out of a total of 36 vehicles. Find out why Dodge vehicles tend to be a little pricey to insure by checking out the information below.

Brief History

Dodge has a long, storied history. Although it is now owned by Chrysler and has been since 1928, the make is still very popular and distinctive. The company was founded by John and Horace Dodge in 1914. Up until that point, the brothers had worked at creating bicycles and auto parts. They found immediate success with their new venture. By 1917, they were producing roadsters, touring cars, trucks and many other vehicles. After being sold to Chrysler in 1928, the company went on to achieve many important things. It was among the first to offer dealer-installed air conditioning systems, and it earned a reputation for producing reliable, cost-effective vehicles.

High Theft Rates Drive Up Insurance Prices

One of the things that really affects the cost to insure many Dodge vehicles is the fact that these cars are popular with car thieves. Indeed, several Dodge models appear on top-ten lists that are compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Models like the Caravan, Intrepid, Ram and Stratus all have high enough theft rates to earn spots on lists for several U.S. states. Insurance companies take exception to cars that are stolen frequently, so it comes as no surprise that insurance rates for these vehicles tend to be on the higher end of the scale.

Decent Safety Ratings Help Less than They Should

One thing that could help make Dodge cars more affordable to insure would be superior safety ratings. However, the automaker falls a little short in this department too. That's not to say that Dodge cars are unsafe. They are typically loaded with many key safety features. However, they don't always earn top marks by organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the government. For example, the Dodge Avenger has "Good" and "Acceptable" ratings from the IIHS. It has several five-star safety ratings from the government, but a smattering of three-star ratings surely raises insurance company eyebrows.

Low MSRPs Keep Rates in Check

The main thing that helps to keep Dodge insurance rates from being sky-high is their low price tags. Most Dodge vehicles come with very affordable starting MSRPs. The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, for example, has a starting MSRP of $20,995. The Avenger sedan and the Journey crossover have starting MSRPs of $18,995. These vehicles are usually loaded with exceptional features, which makes them especially great deals for drivers who are looking to spend less and get more.

To see how insurance rates are affected by pricing, consider the average cost to insure these vehicles:

• Avenger 6-Cylinder - $1,409.00
• Grand Caravan 6-Cylinder - $1,129.00
• Journey SXT 6-Cylinder - $1,143.00