While green vehicles – electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids – are typically more expensive to insure than their gas-powered counterparts, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. However, high-end sport EVs and hybrids can be very expensive to insure – a high sticker price, expensive repair costs and a big battery under the hood almost always result in expensive insurance.

In the spring of 2023, CarInsurance.com surveyed drivers nationwide, asking them about their thoughts on electric vehicles, car insurance, inflation and more. In the survey, 21% of drivers said they are considering the purchase of an EV. Climate change anxiety is the main reason 27% of drivers would buy an EV, with 11% saying that tax incentives could induce them to purchase an electric car.

If you’re curious about which hybrids and electric cars garner the most expensive car insurance, keep reading.

Key Highlights
  • EVs and hybrids are usually more expensive to insure than gas-powered vehicles because they typically have higher sticker prices, more expensive repairs and an expensive battery.
  • Insurance premiums can vary dramatically for electric vehicles and hybrids. Shopping regularly for car insurance will ensure you are not overpaying for coverage.
  • It is still possible to get significant tax rebates when purchasing a green vehicle – depending on which one you want – which can help offset your insurance cost.
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Written by:
Mark Vallet
Contributing Researcher
Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry. He has extensive experience creating and editing content on a variety of subjects with deep expertise in insurance and automotive writing. He has written for autos.com, carsdirect.com, DARCARS and Madtown Designs to name just a few. He is also a professional blogger and a skilled web content creator who consistently turns out engaging, error-free writing while juggling multiple projects.
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Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
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Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

What are the most expensive hybrids to insure?

Hybrids and EVs tend to be more expensive to insure than gasoline-powered vehicles. The cost to insure a hybrid will vary dramatically depending on the car and your risk factors. Insurers consider a variety of factors, including the sticker price of the car, safety features, repair costs and the type of vehicle. 

Sports cars are always more expensive to insure – they tend to have large motors, high top speeds and are often driven by more risk-prone drivers — the five most expensive hybrids to insure comprise high-end sports cars, with Audi in the three top spots. 

Here are the top five most expensive hybrids to insure: 

  • Audi RS6 Avant Quattro: $3,922
  • Porsche Panamera: $3,855
  • Acura NSX Type S: $3,626
  • Audi RS7 Quattro: $3,534
  • Audi S7 2.9T Quattro: $3,237

The most expensive to insure hybrid, the Audi RS6 Avant Quattro, has a sticker price that starts at $117,000 and is available with a V8 that will crank out 591 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. All of that power and the high sticker price leads to expensive insurance.

Insurers are on the hook to replace your vehicle if a covered peril destroys it, so a high sticker price will always push up your insurance costs. And since a hybrid has a gas engine and an electric motor, the vehicle and repair costs tend to be higher than a gas-powered vehicle. 

Most expensive hybrid models and annual insurance premiums on full-coverage insurance
Make and model (group) Average annual premium
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro$3,922
Porsche Panamera$3,855
Acura NSX Type S$3,626
Audi RS7 Quattro$3,534
Audi S7 2.9T Quattro$3,237
Lexus LC500h$3,106
Lexus LS 500H$3,015
Audi S6 2.9 TFSI Quattro$2,903
Jeep Wagoneer Series$2,896
Mercedes GLE53 AMG 4MATIC$2,852
Mercedes CLS450$2,825
Volvo V60 T8 Polestar R-Design$2,795
Mercedes E53 4MATIC AMG$2,793
Audi A7 3.0T Quattro$2,790
Audi A7 2.0T Quattro Prestige$2,739
Audi A6 Allroad Quattro$2,571
Mercedes GLE580 4MATIC$2,533
Audi A6 3.0T Quattro$2,518
Volvo S90 B6$2,480
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid$2,472

Learn how much electric car insurance costs

What’s the most expensive car insurance for an electric vehicle?

Electric cars are even more expensive to insure than hybrids, with the most expensive on our list costing $4,150 a year for car insurance. Like hybrids, the most expensive electric vehicles to insure are sports cars with big engines, high sticker prices and high top speeds. 

“Car insurance is more expensive for EVs because EV vehicles cost more than gas-powered vehicles and have higher repair and replacement costs for damaged parts. Hybrid vehicles have the same issue. Due to the vehicle being more expensive to repair, the insurance will inevitably be more,” says Nadia Bical, vice president at Bical Auto Mall in New York.

The Audi RS E-Tron GT starts at $143,445 has 590 horses under the hood, will hit 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and flies through a quarter mile in 11.0 seconds flat, hitting 127 mph. Its restricted top speed is 156 mph, and these factors lead to costly car insurance. 

Tesla is a pricey choice of vehicle as it landed in three of the top five spots for the most-expensive EVs to insure. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S, which shares a motor and transmission with the Audi RS E-Tron GT, rounds out the top five. 

Here are the top five most expensive electric vehicles to insure, according to 2022 data:

  • Audi RS: $4,150
  • Tesla Model S Plaid: $4,115
  • Porsche Taycan Turbo S: $4,028
  • Tesla Model S Long Range: $3,503
  • Tesla Model X Plaid: $3,385
Most expensive EVs and annual full-coverage insurance premiums
Make and model (group) Average annual premium
Audi RS$4,150
Tesla Model S Plaid$4,115
Porsche Taycan Turbo S$4,028
Tesla Model S Long Range$3,503
Tesla Model X Plaid$3,385
Porsche Taycan Turbo$3,336
Porsche Taycan$3,319
Porsche Taycan 4S$3,319
Tesla Model X Long Range$3,182
Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo$2,920
Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo$2,920
Volvo XC40 Pure Electric$2,785
Tesla Model 3$2,454
Tesla Model Y$2,377
Jaguar I-Pace HSE$2,340
Toyota Mirai XLE$2,175
Audi E-tron$2,024
Ford Mustang$1,965
Mazda MX-30$1,961
Hyundai Nexo$1,904

Check out our detailed guide on what you need to know about insuring an electric car

Priciest car insurance for green vs. gas-powered vehicles

Usually, an electric car or a hybrid will be more expensive to insure than a gas-powered version – but not always. EVs and hybrids typically have higher insurance rates because they come with a higher sticker price – they are more expensive to repair and, particularly with electric vehicles, the big expensive battery under the hood pushes up rates. 

The premium difference will vary depending on the vehicle and personal risk factors.

Below is an example that highlights the rate differences between an EV and its gas-powered counterpart:

  • Gasoline-powered Ford F-150: $1,671
  • Electric Ford F-150: $1,792

Hybrid vs. a gas-powered vehicle

  • Gasoline-powered Ford Escape: $1,453
  • Hybrid Ford Escape: $1,487
Gas-powered and hybrid vehicles and their annual premiums
Make and model (group) Gasoline Hybrid
Porsche Panamera$3,864$3,855
Jeep Wagoneer Series$2,885$2,896
Land Rover Range Rover Sport$2,720$2,384
Audi A6 2.0T$2,308$2,294
Audi A5 2.0T Quattro$2,226$2,248
Mitsubishi Outlander$1,697$1,890
Toyota Avalon$1,857$1,864
Hyundai Sonata$1,847$1,859
Ford Explorer$1,691$1,771
Hyundai Tucson$1,511$1,770
Dodge Ram 1500$1,762$1,764
Hyundai Elantra$1,750$1,756
Toyota Camry$1,710$1,712
Kia Sorento$1,629$1,689
Hyundai Santa Fe$1,579$1,667
Honda Accord$1,652$1,665
Toyota Highlander$1,597$1,660
Chrysler Pacifica$1,555$1,648
Toyota RAV4$1,504$1,577
Ford Escape$1,453$1,487
Honda CR-V$1,398$1,449
Jeep Wrangler$1,503$1,442

Read more about the hidden costs of owning an electric car

What are the most expensive companies for green vehicles?

Like gas-powered cars, the cheapest insurance company for a green vehicle will vary depending on the vehicle and various other factors. Insurance companies use proprietary algorithms to set rates, so premium quotes will vary depending on personal risk factors and the exact vehicle. 

When we ran the numbers on hundreds of green vehicles, our data showed huge differences in premium quotes for the same vehicle.

Take a look at the differences in premiums for the EVs and hybrids on our list with the most-expensive insurance:

EVs

Most expensive EVs to insure by company
Make and model (group)CompanyAverage annual premium
Audi E-Tron Allstate $3,105
Audi E-Tron Geico $1,949
Audi E-Tron Farmers $2,115
Audi E-Tron Nationwide $1,715
Audi E-Tron Progressive $1,654
Audi E-eTron State Farm $1,591

Hybrids

Most expensive hybrids to insure by company
Make and model (group)CompanyAverage annual premium
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro Allstate $6,231
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro Geico $4,582
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro Farmers $3,162
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro Nationwide $5,487
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro Progressive $1,553
Audi RS6 Avant Quattro State Farm $2,353

The numbers highlight how dramatically the premiums can vary between insurers. The Audi E-Tron’s most expensive premium (Allstate) is 95% more than the lowest premium (State Farm). 

Interestingly, the difference in premiums for a hybrid is even more dramatic than the EV. The most expensive policy (Allstate) is 301% more than the lowest premium (Progressive). 

The staggering difference in premiums clearly shows that shopping your coverage regularly is one of the best ways to lower your insurance costs – do it once a year, get quotes from at least five insurers and make sure you are comparing apples to apples when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles. 

Why do green vehicles cost more to insure?

In most cases, it’s more expensive to insure an electric or hybrid car than a similar conventional vehicle. Electric vehicles and hybrids are more expensive to insure for various reasons. 

“In many cases, electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase and repair than their gas-powered counterparts. These high repair costs are reflected in insurance premiums for the car. Ultimately, it would cost the insurance company more to replace or repair an electric vehicle and that difference can get passed on to the consumer, resulting in higher rates, says Ian Lang, senior car advice editor with Bumper.com

Here are a few different factors that push up the cost of insuring an electric vehicle or hybrid:

  • Big battery: The big battery under the hood pushes up the insurance cost because it is costly to replace if the car is in an accident. Even a minor accident can damage the battery, and if it needs to be replaced, it can cost more than $15,000, so insurers charge a higher premium to cover that risk.
  • Technology: EVs and hybrids are usually loaded with technology, high-end electronics and advanced safety features, which are always expensive to repair. High repair costs will almost always push up the cost of insurance. 
  • Sticker price: Electric vehicles and hybrids tend to have a higher purchase price than gas-powered vehicles, which results in a higher insurance premium. Your insurer will have to cover the cost of replacing your car if a covered peril destroys it, so the higher the purchase price, the higher your premium. 

FAQ: The most expensive EVs and hybrids to insure

Do electric vehicles cost more to insure?

While it varies by vehicle, it will usually cost more to insure an electric vehicle when compared to similar gas-powered vehicles. This is because EVs have expensive batteries, are loaded with technology and have a high sticker price, all factors that lead to pricey car insurance. 

How can I find affordable car insurance for my electric vehicle?

Finding the most affordable insurance for an electric vehicle is no different than shopping for a gas-powered car.

Here are a few tips for finding an affordable policy:

  • Shop around: Insurers rate risk differently, which can result in dramatic differences in premium quotes. Shop your coverage yearly and get quotes from at least five insurers. Always compare apples to apples when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles.
  • Discounts: Insurance companies offer tons of discounts, so ask your agent to do a discount review to ensure that all available discounts are applied to your policy. 
  • Increase your deductible: You should see significant savings if you can double your deductible. Always choose a deductible you can easily afford if you have to make a claim.

Can I get a tax credit if I buy an EV?

Yes, many federal and state tax credits exist for drivers who purchase EVs. The credit can vary by the state you live in and the electric vehicle you buy. Tax credits can be significant – the federal credit is currently $7,500, so ensure you get every credit you qualify for.

Check the Alternative Fuels Data Center for information regarding state and federal tax credits for EVs, hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. 

Which EV is the most expensive to insure?

EVs are typically more expensive to insure than gas-powered vehicles and even hybrids. The big battery under the hood is one major factor pushing the insurance cost. The batteries that power EVs are extremely expensive, they can easily run $15,000 to replace and insurers have to factor this cost into their premium. 

In addition, EVs often require specialized technicians to repair them, pushing up the cost of repairs and leading to higher insurance premiums. 

Regarding costly insurance premiums, the Audi RS grabbed the top spot. This electric beauty costs $4,150 a year to insure. Tesla grabbed second place with the Model S Plaid, which costs $4,115 to insure. 

 The rest of the top five comprises the Porsche Taycan Turbo and two other Teslas.

What are the benefits of buying an EV or hybrid?

Electric vehicles and hybrids offer a variety of benefits. In addition to helping the environment, green vehicles come with fewer maintenance requirements and in most cases are cheaper to operate than gas-powered vehicles.

“Electric vehicles and hybrid cars have very few moving parts and don’t require as much maintenance as gasoline-powered vehicles, saving consumers’ time with oil changes, fuel filters and more. Also, electric vehicles are much better for the environment, as they have no gasoline and produce no tailpipe emissions,” says Bical.

Final thoughts on car insurance for EVs and hybrids

Green vehicles are becoming more common on the road as consumers switch to EVs and hybrids. Even though green vehicles can be more expensive to insure, some customers are willing to offset their carbon emissions for a slightly higher insurance cost.

However, when it comes to high-end sports EVs and hybrids (just like their gas-powered counterparts) you can expect pricey premiums. Big engines, massive top speeds and expensive repair costs all lead to premiums that are higher than average.  

 Make sure to shop your coverage regularly – there can be dramatic differences in premium quotes with some insurers charging more than double that of their competitors for green vehicles. 

Resources & Methodology

Sources

EERE. “Alternative Fuels Data Center.” Accessed January 2023.

Bumper. “Know your car’s estimated value.” Accessed January 2023.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to pull rates in 2022 for a 40-year-old single male driver with full coverage (100/300/50 and a $500 deductible), a good driving record. CarInsurance.com commissioned survey company Slice to survey drivers nationwide in 2023 about their driving habits, favorite driving songs, the best roads and DMVs, inflation and attitudes about car insurance. The survey was conducted March 24 – April 4, 2023. There were 2,300 respondents.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

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John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

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Contributing Researcher

Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry. He has extensive experience creating and editing content on a variety of subjects with deep expertise in insurance and automotive writing. He has written for autos.com, carsdirect.com, DARCARS and Madtown Designs to name just a few. He is also a professional blogger and a skilled web content creator who consistently turns out engaging, error-free writing while juggling multiple projects.