Compare Car Insurance Rates in Ohio
See if you qualify for a lower rate in less than 2 minutes
What Insurers Look at When Rating Your Vehicle
When you apply for car insurance, your insurer doesn't just look at your driving record — your vehicle itself plays a major role in setting your premium. Understanding what affects car insurance rates can save you hundreds of dollars, especially when shopping for a new car. Here are the primary vehicle-related factors insurers evaluate:
| Factor | How It Impacts Your Rate |
|---|---|
| Repair Costs | Vehicles with expensive parts or specialized labor cost more to fix after a claim |
| Safety Ratings | High IIHS/NHTSA scores reduce injury claims, lowering your premium |
| Theft Rates | Models frequently targeted by thieves carry higher comprehensive premiums |
| Vehicle Value (MSRP) | Higher-value vehicles cost more to replace, raising collision/comprehensive costs |
| Engine Performance | High-horsepower engines signal a higher risk of speeding and accidents |
| Typical Driver Profile | Insurers factor in who typically drives each model (e.g., teens gravitate to sports cars) |
| Claims History | Models with frequent or costly insurance claims attract higher base rates |
Safety ratings carry real weight here. In 2026, 45 vehicles earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and 18 earned Top Safety Pick — 63 total — despite tougher qualifying criteria that now require good back seat protection ratings and standard front crash prevention systems. Vehicles earning these distinctions are involved in fewer severe accidents and generate lower injury claims, and insurers reward this with lower base rates. Conversely, a great safety score can be offset by high repair costs, which is why EVs with 5-star ratings can still command steep premiums. Check how vehicle weight affects your rates for another often-overlooked factor.
Most & Least Expensive Vehicle Types to Insure
Most Expensive Vehicle Types
Not all vehicles are created equal when it comes to insurance costs. These categories consistently rank at the top for annual premiums:
- Sports Cars & High-Performance Vehicles – Powerful engines, higher speeds, and a driver profile that skews younger all push rates up. Sports cars average roughly $4,812/year for full coverage — the highest of any standard vehicle category.
- Luxury Vehicles – High MSRP, imported parts, and specialized repair labor make luxury cars costly to insure. Top models like the BMW M8 Gran Coupe ($6,744/yr) and Maserati Quattroporte ($7,090/yr) sit at the extreme end. Learn more about luxury and exotic car insurance and what to expect.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) – Complex battery systems, high vehicle values, and limited repair shops drive up claim costs. EVs now average approximately $3,281–$4,058/year — 20–49% more than comparable gas-powered vehicles. Learn more about EV insurance costs and how to save.
- Large Full-Size Trucks – Higher vehicle value and rollover risk make full-size trucks pricier than midsize alternatives. The Ford F-150 averages around $2,630/year for full coverage.
- High-Theft-Rate Models – Vehicles that appear on the NICB's most-stolen lists carry elevated comprehensive coverage costs.
Least Expensive Vehicle Types
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Ohio
See if you qualify for a lower rate in less than 2 minutes
SUV vs. Sedan vs. Truck: A Side-by-Side Rate Comparison
One of the most common questions shoppers ask is whether to expect higher insurance on an SUV, sedan, or truck. The national average for full coverage sits at roughly $2,124–$2,697 per year in 2026 depending on the source, but your vehicle type can push that number well above or below average. Here's how the numbers break down based on current full-coverage averages:
| Body Type | Avg. Annual Premium | Notable Models |
|---|---|---|
| Compact SUV | ~$1,932–$2,316/yr | Honda CR-V ($1,932–$2,316), Mazda CX-5 (~$1,947–$2,021) |
| Midsize SUV | ~$2,307–$2,544/yr | Jeep Wrangler ($2,307), Subaru Outback ($2,322) |
| Compact Sedan | ~$2,120–$2,288/yr | Subaru Impreza ( |
| Midsize Sedan | ~$2,400–$2,639/yr | Toyota Camry ($2,400), Hyundai Sonata ($2,639) |
| Midsize Pickup Truck | ~$2,232/yr avg | Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Canyon |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck | ~$2,630–$2,856/yr | Ford F-150 ($2,630), Toyota Tundra ($2,856) |
| Minivan | ~$2,446/yr | Honda Odyssey ($2,446) |
Why do compact SUVs often beat sedans on price? Compact and midsize SUVs tend to earn strong crash-test scores, suffer less damage in collisions due to their heavier build, and are equipped with modern safety tech as standard. For a deeper look at how mass and size influence premiums, see our guide on how vehicle weight affects insurance rates.
Truck considerations: Pickup trucks are uniquely rated. Midsize trucks are generally more affordable to insure than full-size models. Full-size trucks carry higher rollover risk, greater repair costs, and higher sticker prices — all of which push rates up. That said, trucks remain competitive with midsize sedan rates in many states.
Coupe vs. Sedan Insurance: Does Body Style Matter?
Yes — body style influences your rate beyond just the make and model. Coupes are almost universally more expensive to insure than their sedan counterparts, even when they share the same engine. Here's why:
Insurers use historical claims data by body style. Because coupes are statistically driven more aggressively and attract a younger driver profile, the entire model class is rated higher. If you're deciding between a coupe and sedan version of the same car, expect to pay more for the coupe — sometimes 10–20% more annually. Learn how premiums are calculated to better understand what's driving that gap.
Protect your car with Farmers
Average Rate:
Find coverage options that fit your budget.
The insurance savings you expect.
Average Rate:
Enjoy personalized policies, comprehensive coverage & more.
See how much you could save today!
Average Rate:
Drivers who switch their auto insurance and save with State Farm save $764 on average!
Safe Drivers Save with Allstate®
Average Rate:
Get rewarded with savings for having a clean driving record.
Cheapest & Most Expensive Models to Insure in 2026
Cheapest Models (Full Coverage, Annual Average)
| Model | Est. Annual Premium | Why It's Cheap |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | ~$1,932–$2,316 | Low repair costs, low theft rates, excellent safety ratings |
| Mazda CX-5 | ~$1,947–$2,021 | Top safety ratings, low claims history |
| Subaru Crosstrek | ~$2,299 | Strong IIHS scores, family-oriented profile |
| Jeep Wrangler | ~$2,307 | Low theft risk class, moderate performance |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | ~$2,329 | Affordable parts, modest engine, strong safety record |
| Subaru Outback | ~$2,322 | Non-sporty design, affordable parts, top IIHS marks |
| Honda Civic | ~$2,288 | Widely serviced, affordable repair costs |
For a full breakdown of which vehicles cost the most and least to insure across every category, see our complete 2026 insurance cost guide.
Most Expensive Models (Full Coverage, Annual Average)
| Model | Est. Annual Premium | Why It's Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| Maserati Quattroporte | ~$7,090 | Exotic luxury, very high repair and parts costs |
| BMW M8 Gran Coupe | ~$6,744 | High-performance luxury, expensive to repair |
| BMW M5 Touring | ~$6,708 | Top-tier performance, high theft risk |
| Audi e-tron GT | ~$6,413 | Luxury EV, very high repair and battery costs |
| Tesla Model X | ~$4,765 | Luxury EV, high vehicle value and battery repair costs |
| Tesla Model 3 | ~$3,419 | Complex EV repairs, higher vehicle value |
| Ford F-150 | ~$2,630 | Full-size truck, rollover risk, high sticker price |
Tips to Lower Your Insurance Cost Regardless of Vehicle Type
No matter what you drive, these strategies can meaningfully reduce what you pay:
1. Shop Multiple Quotes
Collecting 3–5 quotes with identical coverage levels can save $200–$500+ per year. Insurers weigh vehicle risk differently, so the same car can be priced very differently across companies. Use our car insurance quote guide to know exactly what to compare. Understanding all the factors that affect your premium helps you know what to ask about.
2. Raise Your Deductible Strategically
Moving your deductible from $250 to $1,000 can lower your premium by 10–20%. Only do this if you can comfortably cover the higher out-of-pocket amount after a claim.
3. Stack Available Discounts
| Discount | Potential Savings | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Passive Restraint | Up to 30% | Vehicle with factory airbags or safety devices |
| Telematics/UBI | 10–30% | Safe driving tracked via insurer app |
| Multi-Car | 7–25% | Insure multiple vehicles on one policy |
| Bundling | 7–25% | Combine auto with home or renters insurance |
| Anti-Theft Device | Up to 23% | Alarms, GPS trackers, immobilizers |
| Good Driver | Up to 22% | Clean record, no at-fault accidents |
| Good Student | 10–25% | Students with B average or better |
4. Drop Unnecessary Coverage on Older Vehicles
If your car is worth less than 10x your annual premium for collision/comprehensive, consider dropping those coverages and carrying liability only. Read our guide on when to drop full coverage on older vehicles to know if it's the right move for you.
5. Maintain Continuous Coverage & Good Credit
Policy lapses signal risk to insurers and can raise your rate significantly. Similarly, improving your credit score can save $300–$1,000+ annually in states that allow credit-based insurance scoring. Check the average cost of car insurance in 2026 to benchmark where your current rate stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of vehicle is cheapest to insure? Compact SUVs consistently rank as the cheapest vehicle type to insure in 2026. Models like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Crosstrek benefit from strong safety ratings, low theft rates, affordable repair costs, and a lower-risk driver profile. These vehicles generally come in at or below the national full-coverage average of approximately $2,124–$2,697 per year, depending on the source and methodology. Compact SUVs dominate the IIHS Top Safety Pick lists, which further supports lower base rates from most insurers.
Why are sports cars so expensive to insure? Sports cars are expensive to insure for several interconnected reasons: high-performance engines are associated with riskier, faster driving behavior; they attract a younger demographic that statistically files more claims; and repair costs are elevated due to specialized parts and labor. As a category, sports cars average around $4,812 per year for full coverage — the highest of any standard vehicle type nationally. Luxury performance models like BMW M-series can exceed $6,700/year. Insurers also lean on decades of historical claims data showing sports cars have a consistent track record of frequent, high-severity claims.
Is insurance cheaper for a truck or a sedan? It depends on the truck. Midsize pickup trucks can actually be cheaper to insure than many midsize sedans, averaging around $2,232/year as a category. Full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra typically cost more — between $2,630 and $2,856/year — due to their higher MSRP, rollover risk, and larger repair bills. Compact sedans and economy models generally offer competitive rates, but compact SUVs still remain the most affordable body type overall when comparing across the full market.
Does a car's safety rating actually lower my insurance? Yes, significantly. In 2026, the IIHS awarded Top Safety Pick+ to 45 vehicles and Top Safety Pick to 18 more, using tougher new criteria. Vehicles with these designations are involved in fewer severe accidents and generate lower injury claims — and most insurers reward this with lower base rates. This is a key reason compact SUVs, which dominate IIHS top performer lists, consistently rank among the cheapest vehicles to insure, even when they carry a higher sticker price than economy sedans.
Can I lower my insurance without changing my vehicle? Absolutely. Comparing quotes across multiple insurers, raising your deductible, enrolling in a telematics program (which can save 10–30%), bundling your auto policy with home or renters insurance (7–25% savings), and maintaining a clean driving record are all proven strategies. Regularly reviewing your policy for outdated information — like an old address or unused coverages — can also reveal additional savings. Even on the most expensive models, smart shopping and discount stacking can recover hundreds of dollars per year.