Hybrid Owners Have More Accidents, Get More Tickets

Owners of hybrid vehicles tend to drive more, have higher repair bills, and get more tickets than their gas-guzzling counterparts, the Car Connection reports. A study of the behavior of 360,000 motorists found insurers pay 17% more for comprehensive coverage of hybrid owners compared to owners of conventional models. Toyota Prius owners specifically committed 0.38 violations per 100,000 miles driven, compared to an average of 0.23.

Considering hybrid owners also drive 25% farther for pleasure trips, the number of violations accrued is even higher relative to the record of drivers of gas-powered cars. Many insurers currently give discounts to owners of hybrids, but the study suggests that practice may be costing them. "A 25% increase in miles driven or a 30%t differential in loss costs is very significant," says an analyst.
(More hybrid car stories.)