Copyright information

A: Currently the Institute conducts four types of crashworthiness tests. The first is a frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier at 40 mph, simulating a frontal impact between the tested vehicle and another of the same size and mass striking one another with only the driver-side portions of front ends engaging at approximately 40 mph. The second test simulates a pickup truck or SUV striking the side of the tested vehicle at 31 mph. The third test is a simulated rear crash using only the seat from the tested vehicle. The rear crash is simulated with a sled and represents a stationary vehicle being struck from behind at 20 mph by a vehicle of the same size and weight. The final is a roof strength test. A metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed, and the rating is based on how much force the roof can withstand before reaching 5 inches of crush. Vehicles are rated as Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor. Additional information about the testing and rating criteria can be found at: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx.

A: The front, side, rear, and roof strength ratings remain valid as long as there are no significant design changes in the vehicle. For example, model year to model year cosmetic changes (headlight design, grille design, etc.) will not affect the rating, but a structural change in the vehicle (vehicle is redesigned based on new platform, addition of new energy-absorbing structural elements) or the use of a new airbag system would be considered a significant design change and thus we would have to retest the vehicle to assign it a new rating.

Each model year, the Institute checks with the safety departments of each vehicle manufacturer to determine whether there have been any significant design changes to a vehicle we have tested. After reviewing the manufacturer's information, if IIHS determines that there have been no significant design changes, then the prior rating will carry over to the next model year and be posted on the IIHS website.

A: The criteria for winning a Top Safety Pick award are issued annually. Thus, the award may not carry over from model year to model year. For example, the 2009 Top Safety Pick criteria were less stringent than the 2010 criteria, which added the requirement that a vehicle receive a good rating in a roof strength test. Some vehicles that won a 2009 Top Safety Pick did not qualify for the 2010 Top Safety Pick.

A: The criteria for winning a Top Safety Pick award are issued annually. Thus, the award may not carry over from model year to model year. For example, the 2009 Top Safety Pick criteria were less stringent than the 2010 criteria, which added the requirement that a vehicle receive a good rating in a roof strength test. Some vehicles that won a 2009 Top Safety Pick did not qualify for the 20010 Top Safety Pick.

A: Yes, as long as the 2011 model meets all of the criteria for the 2010 Top Safety Pick award, it earns the award.

A: Advertisers cannot release the ratings and the Top Safety Pick award to the public until IIHS has posted the rating or the Top Safety Pick award on its public website. In addition, as explained below, IIHS requests the opportunity to review and approve the proposed advertising material before it is released.

A: We ask each advertising firm or vehicle manufacturer to provide the Institute with a copy of the proposed advertising material (print, TV and radio ads, showroom displays, etc.) before it is released to the public. The purpose of the review is to make certain that the material factually presents the Institute's test results.

A copy of the proposed advertising material should be sent to Michael Fagin by email (mfagin@iihs.org) or by fax (703/247-1586). Mr. Fagin's direct dial telephone number is 703/247-1512.

A: Yes. The Institute permits the use of the IIHS logo and the use of its Top Safety Pick logo in advertising materials using our crash test results. The Institute can provide you with high resolution electronic copies of its logo and the Top Safety Pick logo.

A: No. The Institute does not charge any fees for the use of its vehicle ratings or for the use of its logos. As explained above, we do ask for the opportunity to review the materials before they are released to the public. We also request that once the final version of the ad has been approved that each advertiser provides IIHS with a high-resolution PDF of the ad (by high resolution, we mean a copy with enough resolution to print a 24" by 30" copy at 300 pixels per inch with fonts embedded.) In the case of video ads, we request a Beta SP copy of the ad.

A: Yes. We can provide a Beta SP copy of the crash test footage. We can provide electronic copies of still photographs of the test.

A. Yes. Same as above.

A. We generally can complete the review process within three business days.

A. No. Frontal test results can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. This is because the kinetic energy involved in the frontal test depends on the speed and weight of the test vehicle and the crash is more severe for heavier vehicles. Given equivalent frontal ratings for heavier and lighter vehicles, the heavier vehicle typically will offer better protection in real-world crashes.

A. No. IIHS has consistently objected to advertising claims saying IIHS has rated a vehicle as the safest vehicle because there is no single way to measure the safety of a vehicle. The Top Safety Pick award is based on a specific set of crash tests that does not cover the full range of crashes that occur in the real-world crashes. Thus, for example, an ad cannot say, "IIHS rates the 2009 World Motors Bearcat as the safest vehicle in its class."

Using the IIHS test results, its own crash test results or other data, a vehicle manufacturer can make the claim that its vehicle is the safest vehicle in its class. It just cannot attribute that claim to IIHS. For example, an ad may claim, "The 2009 World Motors Bearcat is the safest vehicle in its class" and include a reference to the IIHS rating elsewhere in the ad.