Versa = Crash Magnet?

[XterraVersa]

Dang, how many on the board does this make? I have also seen two Versas in accidents in Denver this past weekend. Both were side swiped.

I may have to park mine for a while & drive the Xterra for a while.

I hope the Versa's insurance rates don't go because of all these accidents.

[KimberKenobi]

Do they really base rates on that?

[OKVersa]

I didn't hit anyone. They hit me! I've never been in an accident before - after 30 years of driving.

[Jaesin]

Yah, I've been in two accidents, both at traffic control devices. One in my Versa, one in my old 200sx.

Does seem weird there are quite a lot of Versas in accidents, I've noticed that most of the time though it's usually the fault of the other driver heh.

[srellim234]

It would be interesting to crunch the numbers of accidents compared to total number of units sold. It's probably not much worse than any other car out there. It sounds like major injuries per crash is probably going to be lower for the Versa, which is a very good statistic.

Part of the perception of accidents is due to the passion of the group here with the Versa. You won't find a forum like this about people modifying or drifting their Buicks, for example. Demographics might play a part, too. The Versa seems to have attracted both young drivers and older drivers, the two groups that insurance companies are the higher risk ones.

Many more accidents and it might be worthwhile to look into using the headlights as daytime running lights so other people can see us, but I'm not ready to give up on the car. It's a good one.

At least they aren't blowing up like Pintos or rolling over like Sidekicks.

[Ever Victorious]

At least they aren't blowing up like Pintos or rolling over like Sidekicks.

UH OH! Better hide, Kimber will kick your butt for that!

[Guat]

In Canada we do have daylight running lights on our Versa (it's the law) so perhaps that will reduce accidents here. I hope so.

[XterraVersa]

Do they really base rates on that?

It is one of many factors for an insurance company. If the Versa gets branded as a crash magnet with costly repairs, I wouldn't be suprised to see rate climb.

At least they are not theft magnets - this is a bigger factor in rates since it is age indepedent.

[KimberKenobi]

UH OH! Better hide, Kimber will kick your butt for that!

I had actually missed that line until EV so nicely pointed it out...



...

It is one of many factors for an insurance company. If the Versa gets branded as a crash magnet with costly repairs, I wouldn't be suprised to see rate climb.

At least they are not theft magnets - this is a bigger factor in rates since it is age indepedent.

Well, at least I can rely on my stellar driving record to keep my prices down... Plus I think next year I'll be moving into a better age bracket... isn't 25 the next age bracket on insurance?

[BBISHOPPCM]

Yes, 25 is the next age bracket. I'm 2 years away!

[Jemdawg]

It's the worst when the accident isn't your fault. Now I have to suffer due to someone else's stupidity and carelessness.

[srellim234]

UH OH! Better hide, Kimber will kick your butt for that!

I'll bet she could, too. I'm over twice as old as she is.

[KimberKenobi]

Fortunately for you, I was taught to respect my elders... So I'll just give you another warning squint...

[Jaesin]

QFT...

It's the worst when the accident isn't your fault. Now I have to suffer due to someone else's stupidity and carelessness.

Worse is my parents.'Wow, I'm surprised that your first accident WASN'T your fault!'

[rwanttaja]

Dang, how many on the board does this make? I have also seen two Versas in accidents in Denver this past weekend. Both were side swiped.

I may have to park mine for a while & drive the Xterra for a while.

I hope the Versa's insurance rates don't go because of all these accidents.

The insurance companies say there's a higher accident rate among the younger crowd. Since the Versa is a cheap car, there's probably a larger proportion of younger folks buying them and thus having accidents in them.

The insurance companies *probably* won't blame the Versa, so the rates for the car per se shouldn't rise, unless the cost of repair parts is usually high.

Ron

[BillyBeaneBall]

Unfortunatley, my accident WAS my fault. But, no joke, prior ro me killing my Sapphire Blue Versa, it semed like everyone was stopping in front of me when taking a left across my lane...

It's why I didn't want another SB Versa the second time around.

Also, DRL aren't standard in the States...but I'm in the habit of turning on my headlights everytime I get in any car because I've never had a car that had DRL and I understand it can significantly reduce accidents...

[srellim234]

For a couple of years DRLs were on a lot of cars here in the U.S.(I think it might have been required). My 2002 Buick Rendezvous has them.

I would like to see the running lights on more small cars like the Versa, but I'd like to see them designed with a separate bulb and lens, like fog lamps. Too many times I've seen running lights cause premature yellowing of lenses or they are part of the headlight and when they burn out you lose a headlight.

[DAVPX]

I agree with the "crash magnet" label. Every time I drive my Versa, it seems as though every a$$hole on the road has me in their sights. I can't even go to McDonalds without someone nearly t-boning me or pulling out in front of me in the intersection. I swear, this never fails, I'm scared to death of driving my Versa. On the other hand with my Murano, everyone gets the hell out of my way.

[BillyBeaneBall]

Well I hope it's just me being paanoid with a new car (and even moreso after my accident). Because I am so in love with my V, I'm actually considering customizing it (and I've always thought of customizing as a waste of money for "cosmetic" effects on a car) so there you go...

[rwanttaja]

I agree with the "crash magnet" label. Every time I drive my Versa, it seems as though every a$$hole on the road has me in their sights. I can't even go to McDonalds without someone nearly t-boning me or pulling out in front of me in the intersection. I swear, this never fails, I'm scared to death of driving my Versa. On the other hand with my Murano, everyone gets the hell out of my way.

I haven't seen the problems you have...but what color is your car? I've got "Red Alert," which people seem to have no trouble seeing. Too many colors just seem to blend into the background, and due to the V's small size, I suspect folks have trouble picking them out.

Ron

[BillyBeaneBall]

I know this question wasn't directed at me, but I'll answer anyway.

My first V was Sapphire Blue and I felt like I was always avoiding accidents.

My new V is Magnetic Gray and I have had no problems as of yet (knock on wood).

I would have thought the Gray would be harder to see than the bright Blue...but seriously, what do I know? It was definitely a consideration when i bought my new car...I told them absolutely NO Sapphire Blue!