Many new automobiles are increasingly being introduced with technologi

Many new automobiles are increasingly being introduced with technological improvements that increase driver safety. Cameras, sensors, and radars are being built in to provide greater awareness of the environment and help drivers avoid accidents. With accident rates declining, insurance market analysts expected that drivers would pay lower rates for their policies. However, the opposite seems to be happening. On average, the cost of insuring an automobile has actually been rising.

Which of the following, if true, offers the best explanation for the unexpected result?


A. The average family now has more automobiles than it did just five years ago.

B. As safety technology is introduced into more automobiles, the cost of producing that technology decreases.

C. Specialized tools are required to repair the new safety systems, making repairs significantly more expensive when accidents occur.

D. Technology makes some drivers pay less attention while driving, so insurance companies require them to pay higher deductibles when they get into an accident.

E. Over the past five years, a greater proportion of insurance claims are for minor repairs such as small dents or windshield cracks.