Do Car Color Choices Make a Difference?

Do Car Color Choices Make a Difference?

Do you ever find yourself in traffic and among a flock of cars the same color as yours? Do you ever park and see one color of vehicle dominant over another? Back when Henry Ford produced the Model T it was said you could buy it in any color, as long as it was black. Today, automobile companies have made a science, and millions of dollars, in choosing colors in which their vehicles will be available.

Other than the subjective personal choice, do car colors make any real difference? You may be surprised.

Popular Car Color Choices for 2019

White has always been a popular color for vehicles, and in 2019 it once again led the way with 19.3% of buyers selecting white. It was followed closely by silver at 18% and black at 12.4%. Medium dark blue was chosen 11.4% of the time with 7.5% choosing medium gray. Medium red was selected by 7.1% of buyers with medium dark green the choice of 6.7%.

Car Color Choices and Car Values

While black and white are popular as new car colors, more exotic colors tend to depreciate less. Orange and yellow, for example, hold onto their value better as they age. Dark green also retains value at a higher percentage than more common colors.

Car Color Choices and Traffic Tickets

Because there are more white vehicles, white cars tend to get more tickets than any other color. Proportionately, however, gray and red cars seem to get more traffic tickets.

Car Color Choices and Temperature

Darker cars absorb more heat, making them hotter. This is one reason light color and white cars are so popular, particularly in the South. The difference between a white car and a dark car left out in the sun for an hour will frequently be 5 or 6 degrees.

Do Car Color Choices Affect Car Insurance Rates?

There is no evidence or indication that auto insurance companies use color as a factor in determining car insurance rates. In fact, the VIN number doesn’t even identify the color of an insured vehicle.

While color may not impact the cost of your auto insurance, the agent you choose can. Select one of our independent insurance agents to find the most value for you. Contact us to get started today.

Search Blogs

Generic filters
Filter by Categories
Filter by content type

Be Confidently Insured.

-CONTACT US SIMPLE
What type of personal insurance are you looking for? *

Spring has Sprung: A 5-Point Insurance Protection Checklist for the Vernal Equinox

March 16, 2026

Snakes, Shamrocks, and History: Getting Ready for St. Patrick’s Day

March 13, 2026

The High Cost of a Typo: Celebrating National Proofreading Day with Errors & Omissions Insurance

March 12, 2026

Spring Into Health: Why Your March Physical is the Best Time to Lock in Life Insurance Rates

March 11, 2026

Losing an Hour, Increasing the Risk: Navigating Drowsy Driving After Daylight Saving Time

March 10, 2026

Spring Forward, Check Upward: The Essential DST Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Audit

March 9, 2026

Marching Into Spring: The History and Harmony of National Marching Band Day

March 6, 2026

Appreciating Your Team Safely: Managing Liability for Employee Appreciation Day

March 5, 2026

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning: Why March is the Month to Audit Your Life Insurance Beneficiaries

March 4, 2026

March Potholes: Is Your Collision Coverage Ready for the “Crater Season”?

March 3, 2026

Leave a Comment