How to Buy a Safe Car for Your Business

Technology actually plays a big role on the road already. Nowhere is that more apparent than the new safety features that make today’s cars safer than ever. As a business owner or fleet manager, you want your cars to be valuable assets and tools that represent your brand and carry your most valuable resource: your employees. When sourcing new (or used) vehicles for your operations, safety should be the paramount consideration, influencing everything from driver well-being to your commercial insurance premiums. While newer safety features aren’t a substitute for good drivers and training, they can be an excellent supplement to good driving habits.

Here are the essential safety factors your business should scrutinize before finalizing any fleet vehicle purchase.

So when you’re shopping for a new (or new-to-you) car, rely on data and look for vehicles that have the following options recommended by the NHTSA. They might even help you save on your car insurance!

• Forward collision warning: These sensors in the front of the vehicle will warn you of an impending collision, giving you a chance to brake or steer clear.
• Automatic emergency braking: Working with forward collision warning sensors, this will automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision.
• Lane-departure warning: This uses cameras to keep track of your car’s position on the roadway; if you begin to drift from your lane unintentionally, an alarm notifies you.
• Backup camera: These cameras, which are becoming standard equipment in more vehicles, automatically activate when the car shifts into reverse, giving you a view behind the car.
• Electronic stability control: This is now standard on models 2012 and later, but if you’re purchasing a used car, consider one that offers this feature. It helps you keep control in slippery conditions and on curves — according to the NHTSA, it reduces the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by about 50% and the risk of a fatal rollover by 80%.

While small, fuel-efficient vehicles are tempting, physics still plays a role in collision severity.

• Weight Matters: In a multi-vehicle collision, larger and heavier vehicles generally offer better protection to their occupants. For sales teams, delivery fleets, or construction crews, a mid-sized sedan, crossover, or light-duty truck often offers the best balance of safety and cost-effectiveness.

• Purpose-Fit: Ensure the vehicle type matches the business purpose. A commercial van used for cargo transport has different safety needs (e.g., proper cargo restraints) than a sedan used for client meetings.

Ensure every vehicle provides the highest level of occupant protection through modern restraint technology.

• Airbag Count and Placement: Go beyond the standard frontal airbags. Vehicles with side curtain and knee airbags provide significantly enhanced protection for employees during side-impact collisions.

• Head Restraint Geometry: Ensure head restraints are adjustable and properly positioned to prevent whiplash injuries, a common and costly claim in corporate liability.

The vehicles you choose have a direct and tangible impact on your commercial auto insurance premiums.

• Safety Discounts: Insurers often offer discounts for fleets equipped with advanced safety features (e.g., AEB, ESC, telematics). Choosing safer cars can offset your acquisition cost over time through lower premiums.

• Risk Profile: Your insurance agent can provide insight into the loss history (frequency and severity of claims) for specific makes and models, helping you avoid vehicles with known high-claim rates.

Other features that may be available, depending on the make and model of car you choose:

• Automatic crash notification: Notifies emergency responders in the event of a crash.
• Lane-keeping support: Steers your vehicle back into the lane if you begin to drift.
• Pedestrian automatic emergency braking: Alerts you if a pedestrian is in your path and automatically applies the brakes.
• Blind-spot detection: Illuminates when another vehicle is in your blind spot on either side of the car.
• Adaptive headlights: These headlights actually shift as you take curves and turns to help you see better.

Be a diligent, data-driven buyer for your business. You’ll have a hand in actively managing your company’s risk, protecting personnel, and maybe even securing a better financial future.

To look up the cars you’re considering, try Safercar Safety Ratings. Don’t forget auto and car insurance, either- it can have a big impact on how safe you feel in case of an emergency.