CarInsurance.com Insights
- Sports car insurance rates are high, with a national average premium of $3,880 per year.
- The Mazda MX-5 Miata, Honda Civic Si and Subaru BRZ are the cheapest sports cars to insure in 2026.
- If you’re looking for the cheapest insurance company for your sports car, it’s worth getting quotes from Travelers, State Farm and Progressive.
Nothing beats a sports car for driving excitement. But insuring these powerful little coupes can be expensive.
Sports car insurance tends to be higher than for other vehicles, such as SUVs and sedans. However, you can save money without sacrificing performance by choosing a cheaper sports car with affordable coverage.
Learn more about insurance for sports cars, including the cheapest sports cars to insure and the least expensive insurance companies to use.
How much is insurance for a sports car?
The national average car insurance premium for a sports car is $3,880 per year. That’s about $1,302 higher than the overall national average for car insurance, which is $2,578 annually. Luckily, there are ways to save on this cost, especially when choosing a sports car.
Which are the cheapest sports cars to insure?
The cheapest sports car to insure is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Below is a look at the cheapest sports cars to insure:
First: Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Insurance company: Travelers
- Cost: $2,438 per year; $203 per month
Second: Honda Civic Si
- Insurance company: State Farm
- Cost: $3,127 per year; $261 per month
Third: Subaru BRZ
- Insurance company: Travelers
- Cost: $3,276 per year; $273 per month
Fourth: Subaru WRX
- Insurance company: Travelers
- Cost: $3,303 per year; $275 per month
Fifth: BMW Z4
- Insurance company: Travelers
- Cost: $3,317 per year; $276 per month
New vs. used sports cars – which are cheaper to insure?
In general, used sports cars can be less expensive to insure because their value depreciates over time. When a vehicle’s value is lower, it costs the insurance company less to replace it in case of a total loss.
On the other hand, older vehicles may not have the same safety equipment as new cars. Features like automatic emergency braking or lane-departure warnings can decrease the likelihood of a crash, helping to reduce insurance costs.
The exception to this rule might be when insuring a sought-after older sports car. If the vehicle has held its value well, it might still be rather expensive to insure.
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Factors that affect insurance costs for sports cars
Sports cars have a lot of horsepower and flash, making them magnets for theft and tempting drivers to press the pedal to the metal. Both factors can influence higher costs for insurance, as they increase the risk that the vehicle could be stolen or damaged in a high-speed crash.
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), all but four of the sports cars studied experienced significantly greater-than-average losses under collision coverage.
Keeping in mind that the price you pay for car insurance for a sports car depends on several other factors, too, including:
- Make and model. Retail price, engine type, horsepower, trim level, and safety features can all affect your premiums, and high-value cars usually have pricey insurance.
- Driver age. Insurance companies often charge more for young people, as they are considered to be riskier drivers.
- Location. Where you live factors into the cost; high-density areas pose a greater risk of collision, driving premiums up.
- Driving history. You’ll likely pay more if you have a history of moving violations or accidents on your record.
- Miles driven. Whether the car is your daily driver or a weekend-only cruiser can affect your premium.
- Credit history. Insurance companies also consider your credit-based insurance score to indicate how well you manage risk.
- Gender. Some states allow insurers to charge higher premiums to men, as they’re statistically more likely to take risks while driving.
- Marital status. Similarly, married drivers may pay less for car insurance, as they take fewer driving risks than unmarried drivers.
What are the insurance requirements for sports cars?
The insurance requirements for a sports car are the same as those for other vehicles. Although the minimum liability insurance requirements vary based on your state, many drivers opt to purchase extra coverage.
Below is a look at your sports car insurance options:
- Liability. If you injure someone or damage their property, bodily injury and property damage liability will cover damages up to your policy’s limits. Most states require a minimum amount of this coverage.
- Collision. This coverage helps you pay to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object.
- Comprehensive. If your car is stolen or damaged in a non-collision event, like a flood or hailstorm, this coverage helps repair or replace your vehicle. According to the Insurance Information Institute, most people – about 80% – opt for comprehensive coverage.
Depending on where you live, you may also be required to carry insurance protection against uninsured or underinsured drivers or to cover medical payments.
Average annual insurance rates from top insurance companies for sports cars
Insurance companies calculate premiums differently, leading to varying costs across insurers. Of the companies we analyzed, Travelers has the cheapest average rates for sports car insurance, followed by State Farm and Progressive.
See the table below for the average annual premiums for the cheapest sports cars to insure.
| Make model | Company | Average annual rates | Six-month rates | Average monthly rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | Travelers | $1,505 | $752 | $125 |
| Honda Civic Si | State Farm | $2,419 | $1,210 | $202 |
| Subaru BRZ | Travelers | $2,343 | $1,171 | $195 |
| Subaru WRX | Travelers | $2,263 | $1,132 | $189 |
| Ford Mustang | Travelers | $2,542 | $1,271 | $212 |
| Toyota GR86 | State Farm | $2,624 | $1,312 | $219 |
| Toyota GR Corolla | State Farm | $2,523 | $1,261 | $210 |
| BMW Z4 | Travelers | $1,796 | $898 | $150 |
| Honda Civic Type R | Progressive | $2,515 | $1,258 | $210 |
| Toyota GR Supra | Travelers | $2,090 | $1,045 | $174 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Travelers | $1,722 | $861 | $143 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster | Travelers | $2,484 | $1,242 | $207 |
| Nissan Z | Travelers | $2,007 | $1,003 | $167 |
| Porsche 718 Cayman | Travelers | $2,532 | $1,266 | $211 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | Travelers | $1,708 | $854 | $142 |
| Porsche 911 | Travelers | $2,448 | $1,224 | $204 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 | Nationwide | $3,810 | $1,905 | $317 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo | Nationwide | $3,211 | $1,606 | $268 |
*Model data provided is based on the average of all the trims for each model.
How has the cost of car insurance for sports cars changed over time?
According to the Consumer Price Index, the cost of car insurance has risen steadily over the last five years. Prices rose by more than 17% on average year over year in 2023 and 2024.
Part of the reason for rising costs for sports car insurance – and car insurance in general – is the increase in retail prices. The average cost of a new vehicle is more than $48,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. Depending on the sports car you choose, the price could be well above that.
How much is insurance on a sports car for an 18-year-old vs. a 40-year-old driver?
Full coverage insurance for a sports car will cost much more for an 18-year-old than a 40-year-old – sometimes three to four times as much.
For instance, an 18-year-old may pay an average of $7,845 per year for insurance for a Mazda MX-5 Miata, while a 40-year-old may pay just $2,4387 per year.
For a Honda Civic Si, the average rate for an 18-year-old is $10,398; for a 40-year-old, it’s $3,127. For a Subaru BRZ, the average annual rate for an 18-year-old is $10,791, and for a 40-year-old it’s $3,276. See more rates in the table below.
| Make model | Annual rates | Six-month rates | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $7,845 | $3,923 | $654 |
| Honda Civic Si | $10,398 | $5,199 | $867 |
| Subaru BRZ | $10,791 | $5,396 | $899 |
| BMW Z4 | $10,836 | $5,418 | $903 |
| Subaru WRX | $10,885 | $5,443 | $907 |
| Toyota GR Corolla | $10,895 | $5,448 | $908 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | $11,290 | $5,645 | $941 |
| Ford Mustang | $11,407 | $5,704 | $951 |
| Toyota GR86 | $11,545 | $5,773 | $962 |
| Toyota GR Supra | $11,765 | $5,883 | $980 |
| Honda Civic Type R | $12,298 | $6,149 | $1,025 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster | $12,333 | $6,167 | $1,028 |
| Porsche 718 Cayman | $12,917 | $6,459 | $1,076 |
| Nissan Z | $13,153 | $6,576 | $1,096 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | $14,712 | $7,356 | $1,226 |
| Porsche 911 | $17,986 | $8,993 | $1,499 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 | $19,607 | $9,803 | $1,634 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo | $20,438 | $10,219 | $1,703 |
| Make model | Annual rates | Six-month rates | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $2,438 | $1,219 | $203 |
| Honda Civic Si | $3,127 | $1,564 | $261 |
| Subaru BRZ | $3,276 | $1,638 | $273 |
| Subaru WRX | $3,303 | $1,652 | $275 |
| BMW Z4 | $3,317 | $1,659 | $276 |
| Toyota GR Corolla | $3,346 | $1,673 | $279 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | $3,437 | $1,719 | $286 |
| Ford Mustang | $3,461 | $1,730 | $288 |
| Toyota GR86 | $3,505 | $1,752 | $292 |
| Toyota GR Supra | $3,564 | $1,782 | $297 |
| Honda Civic Type R | $3,798 | $1,899 | $316 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster | $3,873 | $1,937 | $323 |
| Nissan Z | $4,002 | $2,001 | $334 |
| Porsche 718 Cayman | $4,008 | $2,004 | $334 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | $4,405 | $2,202 | $367 |
| Porsche 911 | $5,552 | $2,776 | $463 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 | $6,035 | $3,018 | $503 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo | $6,399 | $3,200 | $533 |
*Model data provided is based on the average of all the trims for each model.
Which companies provide the cheapest sports car insurance?
| Make model | Company | Annual rates | Six-month rates | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z4 | Travelers | $1,796 | $898 | $150 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Travelers | $1,722 | $861 | $143 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | Travelers | $1,708 | $854 | $142 |
| Ford Mustang | Travelers | $2,542 | $1,271 | $212 |
| Honda Civic Si | State Farm | $2,419 | $1,210 | $202 |
| Honda Civic Type R | Progressive | $2,515 | $1,258 | $210 |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | Travelers | $1,505 | $752 | $125 |
| Nissan Z | Travelers | $2,007 | $1,003 | $167 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster | Travelers | $2,484 | $1,242 | $207 |
| Porsche 718 Cayman | Travelers | $2,532 | $1,266 | $211 |
| Porsche 911 | Travelers | $2,448 | $1,224 | $204 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 | Nationwide | $3,810 | $1,905 | $317 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo | Nationwide | $3,211 | $1,606 | $268 |
| Subaru BRZ | Travelers | $2,343 | $1,171 | $195 |
| Subaru WRX | Travelers | $2,263 | $1,132 | $189 |
| Toyota GR Corolla | State Farm | $2,523 | $1,261 | $210 |
| Toyota GR Supra | Travelers | $2,090 | $1,045 | $174 |
| Toyota GR86 | State Farm | $2,624 | $1,312 | $219 |
What are the hidden costs of insuring a sports car?
One thing you should remember about insuring sports cars is that they often require specialty replacement parts, which can be expensive. These parts may have extra power, unique finishes or be more difficult to find than parts for other vehicles.
Insurance companies may raise the premium for your sports car to protect against these higher costs when your vehicle needs repair for a covered claim.
How to lower insurance costs for sports cars
You can have your horsepower and save on insurance costs, too. One way to save on insurance when you have a sports car is to take advantage of as many discounts as you are eligible for.
For instance, you may qualify for discounts for:
- Multiple vehicles
- Bundling more than one policy type
- Being a good driver
- Serving in the military
- Being a member of an affinity group (such as a university alumni organization)
For instance, Nationwide offers a wide variety of discounts, including a 10% reduction for using its SmartRide usage-based program or for having a clean driving record for at least five years.
GEICO, another of the cheapest car insurance companies for sports cars, offers insurance discounts for a good driving record (22%), insuring multiple vehicles (25%) and having an anti-theft system (23%), among others.
And don’t forget to shop around.
“Drivers that change providers may receive a lower premium than those that stay with the same insurance provider year over year,” says Kevin Kramer, COO of Ignition Dealer Services.
Insurance for sports cars, SUVs and sedans – which are the cheapest to insure?
In general, it’s cheaper to insure an SUV or sedan than to insure a sports car. The average annual SUV car insurance rate is $2,976, while a sedan is $3,781. Compare that to the national average for sports cars, which is $3,880.
Final thoughts
Nothing beats a sports car for a zippy, powerful way to get from point A to point B. If you enjoy driving a sports car but balk at the cost of insuring it, consider a little less expensive model, such as a Corvette or a Miata.
Combined with insurance discounts and a clean driving record, high performance can cost less than you think.
— Sarah Sharkey contributed to this story.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car insurance for sports cars
Will owning a sports car increase my insurance rates?
Yes, a larger and more expensive engine can lead to higher insurance costs due to higher replacement costs. Sports cars are typically more expensive to insure than sedans or SUVs.
Does engine size affect insurance costs for sports cars?
Engine size does factor into an insurer’s premium calculations, as vehicles with higher horsepower accelerate faster and drivers may be more likely to engage in risky driving behavior.
Is insurance cheaper for automatic or manual sports cars?
There typically isn’t much difference between insuring an automatic car and one with a manual transmission. However, an automatic could cost more if the insurer considers the automatic transmission to be more complex or costly to repair or replace.
Are electric sports cars cheaper to insure?
No, electric sports cars tend to be more expensive to insure. That’s because EVs rely on batteries made with rare-earth materials instead of gas-powered engines, and these batteries are very costly to replace. EV sports cars tend to have higher prices than their gas-powered counterparts, and it can be tougher to find qualified repair shops to tackle repairs when needed.
Does sports car color affect insurance rates?
Insurance companies don’t use your vehicle’s color to set premiums. The color of a sports car would only affect the insurance cost indirectly, by influencing the cost of purchasing the vehicle.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- American Academy of Actuaries. “Consumer cost of automobile insurance.” Accessed February 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute. “Automobile Financial Responsibility Laws By State.” Accessed February 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance.” Accessed February 2026.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “Insurance losses by make and model.” Accessed February 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” Accessed February 20265.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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