Compare Car Insurance Rates in Ohio
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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 — under tougher qualifying criteria that now require stricter crash avoidance standards. SUVs dominated the 2026 winners list, comprising nearly half of all 63 total winners, with 29 SUVs across small, midsize, and large categories earning recognition. 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, according to MoneyGeek's 2025 national analysis.
- Luxury Vehicles – High MSRP, imported parts, and specialized repair labor make luxury cars costly to insure. Top models like the BMW M5 ($7,819/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 — roughly 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 $2,069–$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. In 2025, the Hyundai Elantra topped the list with 21,732 thefts, followed by the Honda Accord (17,797) and Hyundai Sonata.
Least Expensive Vehicle Types
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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 ranges from roughly $2,101–$2,638 per year in 2025 depending on the data source, with 2026 projections pointing to modest increases around $2,158/year. 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 | ~$1,912–$2,258/yr | Honda CR-V ( |
| Midsize SUV | ~$2,307–$2,544/yr | Jeep Wrangler ( |
| Compact Sedan | ~$2,120–$2,288/yr | Honda Civic ( |
| Midsize Sedan | ~$2,256–$2,639/yr | Toyota Camry ( |
| Midsize Pickup Truck | ~$2,160/yr avg | Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Canyon |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck | ~$2,069–$2,630/yr | Ford F-150 ( |
| Minivan | ~$2,080–$2,446/yr | Honda Odyssey (~$2,446), Toyota Sienna |
| Electric Vehicle | ~$3,281–$4,058/yr | Tesla Model Y ( |
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. SUVs made up nearly half of all 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick winners, reinforcing their standing as the lowest-risk category for insurers. 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, averaging around $2,160/year as a category. Full-size trucks carry higher rollover risk, greater repair costs, and higher sticker prices — all of which push rates up. Notably, the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 both appeared on the 2025 NICB most-stolen vehicles list, which can further elevate comprehensive coverage costs.
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 — MoneyGeek's 2025 data shows coupes averaging $2,064/year, compared to $2,256/year for sedans overall, though high-performance coupe variants can reach far above that. 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.
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Cheapest & Most Expensive Models to Insure in 2025–2026
Cheapest Models (Full Coverage, Annual Average)
| Model | Est. Annual Premium | Why It's Cheap |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | ~$1,912–$2,021 | Top safety ratings, low claims history |
| Honda CR-V | ~$1,916–$2,258 | Low repair costs, low theft rates, excellent safety ratings |
| Subaru Outback | ~$1,929–$2,229 | Non-sporty design, affordable parts, top IIHS marks |
| Hyundai Kona/Venue | ~$1,925–$1,999 | Strong safety scores, low-cost repairs |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | ~$1,979 | Affordable parts, modest engine, strong safety record |
| Honda HR-V | ~$1,936 | Compact, affordable parts, excellent safety profile |
| 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. You can also check our dedicated Honda Civic insurance guide or Toyota Camry insurance breakdown for model-specific detail.
Most Expensive Models (Full Coverage, Annual Average)
| Model | Est. Annual Premium | Why It's Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 | ~$7,819 | Top-tier performance luxury, high theft risk, costly repairs |
| Maserati Quattroporte | ~$7,090 | Exotic luxury, very high repair and parts costs |
| BMW M8 Gran Coupe | ~$5,985 | High-performance luxury, expensive to repair |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | ~$6,574 | Premium luxury, very high repair costs |
| Maserati Ghibli | ~$6,386 | Exotic luxury, specialized parts |
| Audi RS7 | ~$5,792 | High-performance, premium repair costs |
| Tesla Model X | ~$4,765 | Luxury EV, high vehicle value and battery repair costs |
| Ford F-150 | ~$2,069–$2,630 | Full-size truck, theft 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 comparison 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. Learn more about full coverage car insurance to understand how deductibles interact with your policy.
3. Stack Available Discounts
| Discount | Potential Savings | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Telematics/UBI | 10–30% | Safe driving tracked via insurer app |
| Multi-Car | 7–25% (up to 48%) | 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 |
| Passive Restraint | Up to 30% | Vehicle with factory airbags or safety devices |
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. Review comprehensive coverage to understand what you'd be giving up, and check what the average cost of car insurance looks like at different coverage levels.
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. Review the latest 2026 car insurance rate trends to benchmark where your current rate stands. You can also learn exactly how much you'll pay per year vs. per month and how payment frequency affects your total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of vehicle is cheapest to insure? Compact SUVs consistently rank as the cheapest vehicle type to insure in 2025–2026. Models like the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, and Honda HR-V 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 $2,101–$2,638 per year. SUVs also dominated the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick awards, which further supports lower base rates from most major 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 approximately $4,812/year for full coverage — the highest of any standard vehicle type nationally according to MoneyGeek's 2025 data. Luxury performance models like the BMW M5 can exceed $7,800/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 $2,160/year as a category. Full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado typically cost more due to their higher MSRP, rollover risk, theft exposure, and larger repair bills. Compact sedans and economy models generally offer competitive rates, but compact SUVs 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 under tougher new criteria, with SUVs making up a substantial portion of the 63 total winners. 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 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. Multi-car discounts can save 7–25% per policy or up to 48% with certain carriers compared to insuring each vehicle separately. Even on the most expensive models, smart shopping and discount stacking can recover hundreds of dollars per year — use our guide on how to get car insurance quotes to start comparing effectively.