Hybrids a Mennace on Roads Compared to Gas Cars

Insight, the author does not have.

 

This is what I just posted as a comment:

I made one mistake.

The Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid insurance costs are:

• 104 - Honda Civic Hybrid
• 109 - Honda Civic

Feel free to post a comment citing the NHTSA Insurance Cost booklet . . . completing my post. <GRINS>

Hummm, he did say hybrid owners are 'loyal.' . . . Think we need to share this with the Honda and Ford hybrid owners? <GRINS>

Perhaps someone might point out that Traveller's is offering a discount to hybrid owners. . . . Any other carriers? <LOL>

Let's let this 'trade publication' meet the hybrids.

Bob Wilson

 

Oh Bob, you're no fun at all!!!

 

Sorry, I'm trying not to suck out all of the oxygen. <grins>

Still there are several 'low hanging fruit' that could be enjoyed . . . depending upon how much someone might want to shade the facts and data:

• Purchase vs repair price differences - A Prius costs $4,000 more, than the equivalent $24,000 diesel or gas car. So the $182 extra dollars repair cost only makes sense and is substantially less than the purchase price premium. Of course we could do some really nasty 'spoofing' by citing CNW Marketing's claim of a Chevy Aveo as the Prius equal for the Prius. <LMAO>
• Where did the 'carbon footprint folks go?' - apparently since 2008, the old 'greenie' Prius owners sold their cars to 'cheapie' Prius owners . . . or perhaps they have always been frugal buyers who would rather switch than accept an inflated insurance premium from foolish over-chargers. We buy everything with the same sharp eye to value that keeps us from burning out money out the tail pipe.
• "Cheapie" hybrid drivers don't exceed speed limits - driven by an obsession with lower fuel bills, they don't speed and often take routes less traveled. In fact, many use HOV lanes with special stickers so they avoid rush-hour fender benders.

This is just my short list, suggestions for those who might like to post over at the insurance trade site. Mr. Horn was selective in his report so think about Prius ownership and its impact on your driving . . . and share it with the insurance agents. Most of all, let them know we are not captives to Mr. Horn's agenda. <wink>

Bob Wilson

 

Figures lie and liars figure.

Or, put another way, you can prove anything with numbers. It depends on how you bend them!

 

I'm assuming these weren't speeding tickets! Obstructing the flow of traffic maybe?

 

Good question!

So I looked up the original report:
https://www.mitchell.com/mitch/assets/pdf/ITR_vol-10-no-3-summer-2010.pdf

The good news, the first article is faithful to the Mitchell report. The bad news, the Mitchell report doesn't provide significantly more details.

The Mitchell report cites the "Quality Plannning" report:
Hybrids: Is a Little of the Green Rubbing Off? - Quality Planning

So we have this curious conflict. Two industry reports saying hybrids are more expensive to insure while the NHTSA shows them as being less expensive. Just sharing the facts and data.

Bob Wilson

 

Well, to some extent we are locked0in to the dealership for service because the number of independent hybrid mechanics is so small (virtually 0 outside the SF bay area).

 

Check out [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias"]confirmation bias[/ame].

The author of this article is not likely to be having an honest discussion, so how do you deal with him and people that might believe his piece? Therapy?

 

So how do I fit the report? My car has only been to the dealer in the hope of getting warranty service (a squealing coolant transfer pump) - denied. Otherwise never.

Pearl got a speeding ticket (photo radar so it went to Pearl not me ).

The anti-Prius (2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE SUV) never got a speeding ticket.

Pearl costs the same for insurance as the anti-Prius did.

 

Farmer's is giving me a slight hybrid discount.

The authors need to adjust their figures for where the vehicle is driven. I get charged more for my insurance because of where I live. If you don't take location into account, along with the small percentage of vehicles you risk large statistical errors.

 

I see two types of Prius owners on the highway on my way to work and back.

1) Those doing 90 in the left lane, and switching to the carpool lane occasionally, and bought the Prius just for that purpose.

2) Those in the right two lanes driving along with the flow of traffic.

I'm sure this helps explain these statistics of Prius drivers receiving speeding tickets. However, I don't think the ratio has changed with time. If Prius drivers are getting more tickets today, it's probably because the state expired their carpool stickers, so now they are weaving in and out of traffic and attracting more attention.