Allstate Insurance Co. and Farmers Insurance Group are raising liability premiums for sport/utility vehicles, pickups, and big vans because evidence indicates that they cause more damage in accidents, according to the New York Times. Allstate Insurance, the nation’s second-largest auto insurer covering 20 million vehicles, has changed the way it charges for liability coverage in several states. Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance, the third-largest insurer, is planning similar changes for next year. By basing rates on how much damage a vehicle causes during accidents, Allstate and Farmers are separating from other insurers – including State Farm Insurance Co., the nation’s largest insurer – which don’t distinguish between large and small vehicles when charging for liability coverage. Allstate’s change comes on the heels of State Farm’s announcement last week of giving some big vehicles a discount on medical coverage, the portion of a premium that pays for injuries to the insured driver and any passengers. State Farm spokesman Dick Luedke said the company has found that SUVs are involved in fewer crashes, which offsets the damage they cause during collisions.