
	A Fresh Look at SUV's
It’s been roughly a decade since Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have made a serious splash on the traffic scene. Today, more than ever, they are the undisputed kings of the road. Further, their popularity is still climbing for the following reasons:

• They have a very comfortable ride 
• They're heavy and sturdy, making them safer in collisions 
• They're capable of handling certain types of inclement weather better than smaller vehicles 
• They're more stylish than pickup trucks and large vans, making them more attractive to female drivers. 

The combination of power and safety have propelled these vehicles into a position of dominance in sales and, naturally, on the streets and highways. An early reason for the popularity of SUVs was the belief that they were safer. The motorized behemoths’ sales grew at the direct expense of lighter cars which, while efficient on fuel, were vulnerable to heavy damage in higher-speed collisions. On the other hand, SUVs heralded the arrival of personal transportation that, initially, survived collisions better than the lightweights. 

Sports Utility or Personal Assault Vehicles?
We have learned that SUVs also have a dark side. Ironically, one of the biggest issues is that they're - well - BIG! Although SUVs make their occupants safer, it comes with a price. 

Construction
SUVs are not only heavier than most private passenger vehicles, they're also stiffer. SUVs react more like jeeps on wet roadways and on turns. While smaller vehicles may fish-tail under these conditions, SUVs have a tendency to roll over. Further, with their heavier weight and stiffness, SUVs have bodies that don't have as much "give" during impacts with other vehicles. 

Collision
This means that smaller, lighter vehicles that collide with SUVs suffer a higher level of damage upon impact. Naturally, the occupants of smaller vehicles that collide with SUVs face a higher chance of serious injury or death. SUVs have front bumpers that are significantly higher than most vehicles and this can cause big problems. Instead of helping to mitigate the impact by making contact with the other vehicle's bumper, it maximizes damage because the SUV's hardest part makes contact with the more vulnerable body of a smaller vehicle. In fact, depending upon its speed, an SUV may actually run over the top of a smaller car. 

Increased Liability
The nature of the construction elements of an SUV during accidents with smaller cars result in these types of vehicles inflicting more serious bodily injuries to other operators. This fact leads to more lawsuits against SUV operators. More claims increase the cost to insurers and results in higher insurance rates. In fact, a number of apply premium surcharges to SUVs in order to make up for their greater risk of causing serious accidents. 

While SUVs may fit the needs of persons who put a premium on vehicle strength and safety, such vehicles inflict more serious damage on smaller vehicles and their occupants. Further, as the number of SUVs increases, there will be a diminishing return on their safety since the probability will increase that SUVs will crash into other SUVs. In the end, a person interested in buying and driving an SUV will just have to consider the positives and negatives.

**Please read our disclaimer**
 Many states have special mandated coverage forms and endorsements that broaden or limit the coverages described in these information pieces. We do not address these individual state mandated forms. Not all companies will sell the policies described in these information pieces. Please consult policy(s) for definitions and limitations. The terms of these information pieces do not represent contract terms. Insurance policies are subject to company underwriting practices.
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A Fresh Look at SUV's
