Get covered in minutes!

Car

Property

Home > Blog > The Basics of Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies

The Basics of Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies

Advanced driver assistance technologies (ADAS) aim to save lives and prevent injuries. Depending on your vehicle, some technology warns you of an impending crash, while others take action to avoid one.

As more car manufacturers expand the use of ADAS, it’s essential to understand what each feature does and how it can protect you while on the road.

Because each car is different, owners are urged to read their vehicle’s manual for specific information on its technology and safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains the main features of newer vehicles:

Collision Warning System

A Collision Warning System is designed to prevent a driver from colliding with another vehicle or a stationary object in their path. It uses various technologies such as cameras, sensors, radar, lasers, GPS, and artificial intelligence.

Forward Collision Warning

Rear Cross Traffic Warning

Lane Departure Warning

Blind Spot Warning

Collision Avoidance System

A Collision Avoidance System, or Collision Intervention System, is a warning system that monitors a vehicle’s speed and the speed of the vehicle in front of it to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. This system also uses technology like cameras, sensors, and lasers to detect an imminent crash.

Automatic Emergency Braking

Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking

Rear Automatic Braking

Blind Spot Intervention

Driver Control Assistance System

The Driver Control Assistance system automatically controls a vehicle’s movement and adjusts features of the vehicle from surrounding vehicles using sensor information.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane Departure Warning

Lane Centering Assistance

Lane Keeping Assistance

Other technology in vehicles can include automatic high beams, a backup camera, automatic crash notification, drowsiness detection, and parking assist.

How Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Impact Car Insurance

While advanced driver assistance technologies in newer vehicles have made it easier to drive, they’ve also made vehicles more expensive due to their complex technology.

If you need to make a claim on your vehicle that has driver assistance technology, it will likely increase your auto insurance rates.

For example, if a driver’s side mirror in a 20-year-old car was sideswiped, it wouldn’t be that expensive of a repair comparatively. But because many new mirrors have blind spot intervention built in, that mirror is now pricey to replace due to both the actual mirror, the technology built in and the labor cost.

If a vehicle with a plain windshield needs a replacement, it can cost a driver a few hundred dollars. However, a 2023 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute found that vehicles equipped with front crash prevention were more likely to have glass claims of $1000 or more. This is likely related to the calibration of newer windshield’s safety features. In many cases with newer vehicles, if it is just a minor chip or crack you could get your windshield repaired and not have to get it fully replaced saving you money.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a new vehicle and have questions about how it will impact your auto insurance policy, your independent agent can always help you review your information to make sure you have the right coverage to suit your individualized needs. If you are not a MAPFRE customer yet, you can always get a fast, free car insurance quote in Massachusetts to get outstanding coverage at a great price.

Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Please Note: This is meant only to provide general information about commonly available insurance coverages. Except as expressly noted, this content is not intended to describe any specific coverage offered by MAPFRE Insurance. No coverage is provided, bound or guaranteed by this article. Available coverages, credits and discounts vary from state to state and are subject to eligibility criteria and policy terms/conditions, which will control in the event of conflict between this article and your insurance policy. For information about your policy, please review your individual policy contract and speak with your insurance representative.

MAPFRE Insurance® is a brand and service mark of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp. and its affiliates, American Commerce Insurance CompanySM (Cal. COA 4928-8); Citation Insurance CompanySM; The Commerce Insurance CompanySM; Commerce West Insurance CompanySM (Cal. COA 1372-2); and MAPFRE Insurance CompanySM (Cal. COA 3039-5). Not all products available in all states.

Articles

What Is Property Damage Coverage and How Does It Work?

What Is Property Damage Coverage and How Does It Work?

Property damage coverage helps with repairs to someone else's property due to a car accident you caused. This coverage may cover the cost of repairing or replacing other vehicles involved in an accident and can also apply to damaged buildings and structures, like...

read more
Common Household Items That Are Hazardous

Common Household Items That Are Hazardous

Home is where we go to relax and where we feel most welcome. It’s our refuge from our busy lives and where we feel the safest. However, homes also contain many hazards, including household chemicals and hazardous materials. These chemicals can be used virtually...

read more
Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud

Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud

Reports of both consumer fraud and identity theft filed with the Federal Trade Commission and tracked by the Consumer Sentinel Network have grown substantially, with 5.5 million complaints in 2023. The top three complaints filed were identity theft, imposter scams,...

read more