The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests new vehicle safety each year, and this year there are 115 IIHS Top Safety Picks. The agency rates vehicles across four categories – frontal offset, side impact, roof strength and rear crash – and any vehicle that has the best rating of "good" across the board is named a top safety pick.

Of the 115 vehicles that made the grade this year, 97 are repeat winners and 18 new models were added to the roster for the 2012 model year. The new additions to the list since last year include the Scion xD, Honda CR-Z, Fit and Insight, Toyota Yaris and Prius V, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Buick Verano and Toyota Camry.

This year is the first time the Camry, which has been the best-selling sedan in American for 14 out of the last 15 years, has ever been named a Top Safety Pick, according to The Car Connection.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick list can be a valuable resource for drivers looking to buy cars. Another way to improve a vehicle's safety is to get regular maintenance and address all necessary repairs. This can be expensive, but an extended warranty can cover the cost for certain parts.