CarInsurance.com Insights
- Car make and model affect premiums because insurers price risk using repair costs, safety data and claim history.
- Affordable vehicles cost less to insure since lower repair expenses and readily available parts reduce insurer payouts.
- Luxury and performance cars increase premiums due to higher replacement values, specialized repairs and claim severity.
- Safety technology helps control costs by reducing accident frequency and injury claims.
- Checking insurance costs before buying a car helps you budget more accurately.
The make and model of the car you buy can have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. In 2026, there’s a $4,445 gap in annual rates between the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure. Before you buy your next car, see what our data says about the vehicles on your list.
Use the tool below to compare estimated insurance costs for any make and model — no personal information required.
Insurance rates by car model
How do car make and model affect insurance rates?
The make and model of your car directly affects your car insurance rates. Insurers set rates based on each car’s cost to repair, its average rate of theft, its safety ratings and its crash data – as well as personal driver rating factors.
In 2026, the cheapest model to insure is the Subaru Crosstrek, at an average annual rate of $2,299. The most expensive model is the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, which costs an average of $6,744 annually. That’s a $4,445 difference that’s based solely on your choice of vehicle.
Vehicles with higher performance specs (like sports cars), expensive parts or low safety scores often cost more to insure. Reliable, safe and moderately priced vehicles (like the Subaru Crosstrek) generally cost less to insure.
Insurance rates for popular car models
Below is a snapshot of estimated insurance costs for some of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S., including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ram 1500.
| Make model | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | $2,696 | $225 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $2,724 | $227 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $2,414 | $201 |
| Honda CR-V | $2,316 | $193 |
| Ram 1500 | $2,691 | $224 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | $2,793 | $233 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $2,488 | $207 |
| Toyota Camry | $2,889 | $241 |
| Tesla Model Y | $3,836 | $320 |
| Toyota Tacoma | $2,542 | $212 |
Annual and monthly rates for the best-selling cars in the U.S.
Source: CarInsurance.com analysis of 2026 Quadrant data.
Cheapest cars to insure in 2026
The cheapest cars to insure are usually compact SUVs and crossovers, vehicles with strong safety scores and low repair costs. The Subaru Crosstrek, a compact SUV, is the cheapest car to insure, with an average annual rate of $2,299, or about $192 per month.
Insurers typically don’t need to pay out as much in claims for vehicles like these, resulting in lower insurance rates for you.
| Make model | Average rate |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | $2,299 |
| Jeep Wrangler | $2,307 |
| Honda CR-V | $2,316 |
| Subaru Outback | $2,322 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $2,329 |
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Most expensive cars to insure in 2026
High-performance luxury vehicles are the most expensive cars to insure. In 2026, BMW and Audi models top the list. The average cost to insure the BMW M8 Gran Coupe is $6,744 per year, almost three times that of mainstream brands.
Luxury cars require specialty parts and mechanics for repairs, have high replacement costs and are at higher risk for theft, all of which drive insurance rates up.
| Make model | Average rate |
|---|---|
| BMW M8 Gran Coupe | $6,744 |
| BMW M5 Touring | $6,708 |
| BMW M5 | $6,593 |
| BMW M8 | $6,423 |
| Audi e-tron GT | $6,413 |
Why is BMW the most expensive car to insure?
BMW is a luxury brand, and its parts tend to be more expensive and harder to find than those for other brands. Higher performance specs for its M-series, for example, can further drive up costs. It costs $2,236 more per year to insure than the average BMW ($4,508).
How much does insurance cost by vehicle make?
The average annual cost for car insurance varies by more than $3,000, depending on which brand (make) you drive. Subaru is the most affordable, with an average annual rate of $2,532, while Lucid is the most expensive, at $5,701. Luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Maserati cost more than $4,500 annually, on average, while mainstream brands tend to cost less than $2,900.
The table below shows average monthly premiums across all models for major vehicle makes, based on CarInsurance.com’s 2026 rate analysis.
| Make | Monthly premium | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Acura | $235 | $2,823 |
| Alfa-Romeo | $301 | $3,611 |
| Audi | $326 | $3,907 |
| BMW | $376 | $4,508 |
| Buick | $213 | $2,554 |
| Cadillac | $290 | $3,480 |
| Chevrolet | $233 | $2,796 |
| Chrysler | $221 | $2,656 |
| Dodge | $254 | $3,050 |
| Fiat | $204 | $2,447 |
| Ford | $239 | $2,866 |
| Genesis | $305 | $3,654 |
| GMC | $244 | $2,928 |
| Honda | $217 | $2,600 |
| Hyundai | $236 | $2,831 |
| Ineos | $323 | $3,875 |
| Infiniti | $282 | $3,388 |
| Jaguar | $325 | $3,897 |
| Jeep | $235 | $2,817 |
| Kia | $227 | $2,727 |
| Land Rover | $344 | $4,131 |
| Lexus | $287 | $3,439 |
| Lincoln | $255 | $3,065 |
| Lucid | $475 | $5,701 |
| Maserati | $374 | $4,486 |
| Mazda | $222 | $2,665 |
| Mercedes-AMG | $424 | $5,087 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $299 | $3,585 |
| Mercedes-Maybach | $467 | $5,608 |
| Mini | $223 | $2,681 |
| Mitsubishi | $244 | $2,932 |
| Nissan | $233 | $2,798 |
| Polestar | $346 | $4,153 |
| Porsche | $412 | $4,949 |
| Ram | $247 | $2,966 |
| Rivian | $358 | $4,293 |
| Subaru | $211 | $2,532 |
| Tesla | $376 | $4,512 |
| Toyota | $230 | $2,765 |
| VinFast | $275 | $3,303 |
| Volkswagen | $224 | $2,684 |
| Volvo | $277 | $3,326 |
Why do insurance costs vary by vehicle?
The costs to insure a car depend on its risk profile, which varies from vehicle to vehicle. Factors like repair costs, safety ratings, performance specs and theft rates influence the premium. A smaller SUV with widely available parts and excellent safety ratings will cost an insurer less to cover, and they pass the savings on to you with a lower rate.
Here’s how it worksAn older vehicle worth $10,000 will typically cost less to insure than a newer vehicle worth $60,000. That’s because it’s cheaper to replace and to repair. Newer, more expensive cars typically require more expensive repairs and cost more to replace if they’re totaled.
Key factors that drive cost differences include:
- Repair costs: Luxury brands have expensive parts and labor.
- Safety ratings: Vehicles with advanced safety features often get lower rates.
- Theft rate: Frequently stolen vehicles typically cost more to insure.
- Crash stats: Cars involved in more or severe accidents may carry higher risk loads.
- Performance specs: Sports cars are often rated as high-risk.
“There are many reasons why insurance rates vary from model to model and make to make,” says Brian Moody, senior editor of Autotrader. “The main consideration is the cost of repair. An insurance company has a responsibility to its customers and employees to make financially wise decisions,” he says. “If an insured drives a Rolls-Royce, it’s logical that the cost will be higher for that customer because that specific car may be rare and expensive to repair. The expected availability of parts is also a factor.”
Sophie’s tip
Repair costs, including parts and labor, are often much higher for luxury vehicles, which adds to the cost to insure them. Check repair costs for your desired model before you buy, as they can significantly affect your insurance costs.
How to choose a car that’s cheaper to insure
To keep your insurance costs down, avoid sports cars and luxury makes, and look for mainstream brands with high safety ratings and low average rates. Even small differences between models can add hundreds to your insurance bill.
- Explore crash data and safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Avoid high-horsepower performance trims, like those with superchargers or sports suspensions
- Check theft history and loss data reports, and avoid commonly stolen vehicles
- Get insurance quotes before buying a vehicle
- Consider vehicle age; slightly older cars can be cheaper to insure and may not require full coverage.
“A high-horsepower car will cost more, as will a specialty car. Factoring that in before making a purchase can really help manage costs,” Moody says.
Chong Gao, director of product management research and development at Mercury Insurance in Los Angeles, agrees.
“Carefully compare quotes from different insurers on the various vehicles you are considering,” Gao says. “Luxury and high-performance vehicles tend to cost more to insure, as well as larger vehicles that have the potential to cause more damage.”
Additionally, if your vehicle is older, consider reducing your insurance coverage to liability only.
“As the actual cash value of your car drops, it could be more cost-effective to replace or repair the vehicle yourself in the event of an accident instead of paying for comprehensive and collision coverages,” Gao says.
Final thoughts
The best way to keep your rates down is to check the cost of insurance before you buy, instead of after. Your rate could vary by thousands of dollars, even among similar models. Use our rate tool to compare estimated insurance costs for any make and model — no personal information required.
Frequently Asked Questions: Rates by vehicle
Which type of car is usually cheapest to insure?
Mid-size SUVs and sedans with high safety scores and low repair costs typically have the lowest premiums.
Do newer cars cost more to insure?
Not always. New cars with good safety features may qualify for discounts, but they can cost more to repair. Used car insurance is often cheaper because used cars tend to cost less to repair and replace.
Why do sports cars cost more to insure?
Sports cars are driven faster, have higher accident rates and cost more to repair, raising insurance costs.
“Most sports cars are expensive to insure,” says Lauren McKenzie, senior insurance agent with A Plus Insurance in Liberty, South Carolina. “The newer the vehicle, the greater the cost for insurance – especially for younger drivers.”
How can I check insurance costs before buying a car?
Use a car insurance calculator or get quotes based on the specific make, model, and year.
Does the car’s value affect insurance rates?
Yes. Higher value often means more expensive repairs and payouts, increasing premiums.
Can a car’s trim and body style affect your car insurance rates?
Yes. Trim levels that offer greater horsepower and luxury features can increase the vehicle’s MSRP, potentially leading to higher rates.
How do safety ratings affect insurance rates?
Safety ratings reflect how well the vehicle protects its occupants in a crash. This will be reflected in your personal injury protection/medical payments coverage, but it is only a small portion of the total cost.
Does the color of your car affect car insurance premiums?
No, the color of your vehicle is not a rating factor for determining the cost of your policy.
Resources & Methodology
Source
Bestsellingcars.com. “2025 (Full Year) USA: Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicle Models.” Accessed May 2026.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers with full coverage policies, limits of 100/300/100, and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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