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 drivers budget accurately.
If you’re in the market for a car, consider the impact a vehicle’s make and model will have on how much you pay for car insurance.
The type of car you drive is one of the key factors in how much you’ll pay for auto insurance. More expensive cars cost more to insure, while cheaper, smaller cars cost less. Think small Subaru and Honda models. Luxury vehicles or sports cars – especially BMWs – cost more to repair, so insurers will charge you more to insure them.
Use the tool below to calculate insurance for car models and makes.
Insurance rates by car model
How do car make and model affect insurance rates?
Car insurance premiums vary significantly by vehicle. Insurers consider repair costs, safety ratings, crash test results, theft frequency and more.
Vehicles with higher performance specs, expensive parts or low safety scores often cost more to insure. Conversely, reliable, safe and moderately priced vehicles generally yield lower premiums.
Cheapest cars to insure in 2026
Some models consistently have lower insurance rates due to favorable safety records and low repair costs.
Top 5 cheapest vehicles to insure:
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Jeep Wrangler
- Honda CR-V
- Subaru Outback
- Volkswagen Tiguan
| 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 |
Most expensive cars to insure in 2026
Luxury and high-performance models often carry higher insurance premiums due to costly repairs and a higher theft risk.
Top 5 most expensive vehicles to insure:
- BMW M8
- BMW M5 Touring
- BMW M5
- BMW M8
- Audi e-tron GT
Annual premiums for these models often exceed $6,000 per year.
| 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 |
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
Why do insurance costs vary by vehicle?
The biggest factors insurers use to set rates are the type of vehicle, its repair or replacement costs and the driver’s risk profile.
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: 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.”
Here’s how it worksIf a vehicle is worth $10,000, it would cost a lot less to insure than a vehicle worth $60,000 because the cost of parts will be more expensive on a higher-value vehicle than on a lower-valued vehicle. If a vehicle is totaled out, replacing a car at $10,000 vs. $60,000 is a significant price difference, making insurance prices more expensive for newer, expensive cars.
Average car insurance cost for different vehicle makes
Our apologies, we cannot display the data due to availability or spelling errors. Please check the spelling and try again. For assistance, reach out us via Check out our detailed guide on car make and model: What they mean and why they matter
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. – most of which are trucks – including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Toyota Camry, among others.
| 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 |
What is a car’s make and model?Think of a car make and model like your last and first names. The “make” is the car’s last name or brand name – Dodge, Lexus, BMW, Tesla, etc. The “model” would be your first name – the individual model of the vehicle, so this would be Camry (Toyota), Ram (Dodge) or Fusion (Ford).
How to choose a car that’s cheaper to insure
- Choose models with high safety ratings (IIHS/NHTSA).
- Avoid high-horsepower performance trims.
- Check theft history and loss data reports.
- Get insurance quotes before purchasing.
- 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.
Key takeaways: How car choice impacts insurance costs
The more expensive your car is, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. If cost is your main concern when shopping for a vehicle, make sure you buy a car that’s highly rated for safety, is not frequently stolen and is one of the cheapest cars to insure.
“Most sports cars are expensive to insure,” McKenzie says. “The newer the vehicle, the greater the cost for insurance – especially for younger drivers.”
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.
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.
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 January 2026.
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.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs
