Every auto insurance provider is different and each has their own standards for determining whether a vehicle should be classified as a sports car. Most have a very complex set of equations to decide if a car is a sports car.
How are vehicles classified by insurers?
Each insurance company has its own vehicle classification system that is typically based upon ISO (Insurance Services Office) VIN system or other company proprietary ranking systems.
Both foreign and domestic private passenger autos are classified as vehicle type — sports car, high performance, luxury, van, truck, convertible, etc. Each of the following items helps determine a vehicle’s classification as a sports car or other type of vehicle:
- Engine type
- Manufacturer
- Body style
- Engine size
- Full model name
- Model/series
- Body
- Engine
- Cylinders
- Restraint
- Restraint indicator
- Anti-lock
- Transmission
- Other options
- Daytime running lights
- Wheelbase
- Class code
- Anti-theft
- Curb weight
- Gross vehicle weight
- Height
- Horsepower
There is no standard definition of a sports car among insurance companies. A general definition among consumers typically is a small, high-powered car with two doors. However, such a simplistic definition is insufficient with so many different vehicle models available today.
The only way to know if an insurance company considers a vehicle is to contact them directly. Whether or not your car is considered a sports car, you will be quoted different rates from different companies, so compare insurance quotes from multiple carriers to find the best deal.
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