Hey guys...newly licensed driver considering an 09 GTS...State Farm insurance site is down, so can't get a quote...is the 09 GTS considered a sedan or a sports car insurance wise? Thanks

 

I work in insurance (not for State Farm though) and I just looked it up. It's just viewed as a sedan and with a symbol of 19, while the Lancer Ralliart is a 24i and the Lancer Evolution X (regardless of trim level) is a 26h, though the 2008 GTS was an 18 and the 2010 GTS was a 20, for whatever reason.

 

^^^ what do you mean with a symbol, is it like the lower the better?

 

Generally speaking, yes. Higher symbols are assigned to vehicles based on a variety of things, such as the value of the vehicle, its performance capabilities (typically first based on the engine size, hp/torque, etc., not necessarily on magazine results) and other things. However, the symbols are not permanent and can change at any time. For example, the Evo IX is a 26h, though when the Evo Xs first came out, they were rated as a 20h, possibly because it was a newer model with better safety standards and crash ratings. I was even considering making the switch, as it had crossed my mind before but I'd actually be saving a decent chunk in insurance while having a fairly similar monthly payment. Luckily I didn't do it, because the following year, the Evos were re-rated, probably after noticing whatever statistics accompanied the vehicles and their drivers (i.e. speeding tickets, crashes, theft/vandalism, etc.).

What's interesting is that a $30-40k Evo has a slightly lower symbol than some other cars that cost triple or quadruple that (i.e. higher-end Mercedes AMG cars), but its insurance will still cost more, again based on the rating factors and previous statistics associated with the car. The symbols go up to 30 (though I can't think of having seen a car higher than a 27 or so), but all 2011+ cars are rated different, and the symbols go higher and have a broader spread. For example, the 2011 Evo X GSR is a 59h while the X MR is a 63h. That doesn't mean it's twice as worse as before, it's just a different scale.