That late-model used car you’ve been eyeing may have gotten better, at least in the eyes of some insurance companies.

A new report released by the Insurance Research Council has found that used cars with front and side airbag systems have a “beneficial impact” on auto injury insurance claim costs.

The increase of automobile safety was found in 2007 vehicles that filed various claims when compared to older models, such as ones from 1990 or 1980, where only seatbelts were found in the car, according to the report. Among the 2007 cars, 82 percent had front and side airbags, suggesting cars from that year and onward may be a safer used car to purchase.

The presence of the airbags was associated with less significant injuries and lower claim costs when the vehicles were involved in a crash.

“Motor vehicles are becoming safer, and these improvements are having a noticeable impact on the seriousness of injuries and the ultimate cost of auto injury claims,” said Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. “These favorable trends have helped offset some of the pressure caused by the accelerating cost of medical treatment for auto injuries.”

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