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 and 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, 49 vehicles earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and 18 earned Top Safety Pick, and SUVs made up 38 of the 49 TSP+ winners under tougher qualifying criteria that now require stricter crash avoidance standards. Vehicles earning these distinctions are involved in fewer severe accidents and generate lower injury claims, and insurers reward this with lower base rates. A great safety score can still be offset by high repair costs, which is why EVs with 5-star ratings often command steep premiums. Check how vehicle weight affects your rates for another often-overlooked factor.
Most and 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 and High-Performance Vehicles. Powerful engines, higher speeds, and a driver profile that skews younger all push rates up. Sports cars average roughly $3,800 to $5,800 per 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 Maserati Quattroporte (up to $10,737 per year) and BMW M5 (about $7,819 per year per The Zebra) sit at the extreme end. Learn more about how premiums are calculated for high-value vehicles.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs). Complex battery systems, high vehicle values, and limited repair shops drive up claim costs. EVs now average approximately $3,159 per year to insure with full coverage across all model years per Insurify, about 42% or $941 more than the $2,218 gas-vehicle average. See our Tesla insurance breakdown for model-specific EV rates.
- Large Full-Size Trucks. Higher vehicle value and rollover risk make full-size trucks pricier than midsize alternatives. The Ford F-150 averages around $1,862 to $2,630 per year for full coverage, with theft risk adding to comprehensive premiums.
- High-Theft-Rate Models. Vehicles 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 (17,687).
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 full-coverage average for 2026 lands between roughly $2,158 and $2,926 per year depending on the data source, with Insurify at $2,237 per year, ValuePenguin at $2,495 per year, NerdWallet at $2,300 per year, and Experian at $2,926 per year. Your vehicle type can push that number well above or below the average. Here's how the numbers break down based on current full-coverage averages:
| Body Type | Avg. Annual Premium | Notable Models |
|---|---|---|
| Compact SUV | ~$1,774–$2,270/yr | Subaru Forester ( |
| Midsize SUV | ~$1,972–$2,544/yr | Subaru Outback ( |
| Compact Sedan | ~$2,120–$2,299/yr | Honda Civic ( |
| Midsize Sedan | ~$2,095–$2,889/yr | Toyota Camry (~$2,112), Hyundai Sonata |
| Midsize Pickup Truck | ~$1,989–$2,389/yr | Toyota Tacoma (~$1,989), Chevy Canyon |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck | ~$1,862–$2,718/yr | Ford F-150 ( |
| Minivan | ~$1,786–$2,446/yr | Dodge Grand Caravan ( |
| Electric Vehicle | ~$3,159–$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 38 of the 49 TSP+ winners and 12 of the 18 TSP winners in 2026, reinforcing their standing as one of the lowest-risk categories for insurers. For a deeper look at how mass and size influence premiums, see our guide on the vehicle weight surcharge.
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. Notably, both the Chevy Silverado 1500 (16,764 thefts) and Ford F-150 (10,102 thefts) appeared in the top 10 of the 2025 NICB most-stolen vehicles list, which can further elevate comprehensive coverage costs. See our dedicated Ford F-150 insurance guide for detailed truck rates.
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. High-performance coupe variants like the BMW M8 Gran Coupe run as high as $7,938 per year, while their sedan equivalents sit noticeably lower. If you're deciding between a coupe and sedan version of the same car, expect to pay more for the coupe, sometimes 10 to 20% more annually. Learn how the 8 types of car insurance coverage interact with your vehicle choice to shape total cost.
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 and Most Expensive Models to Insure in 2026
Cheapest Models (Full Coverage, Annual Average)
| Model | Est. Annual Premium | Why It's Cheap |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | ~$1,774 | Top safety ratings, low theft rates, IIHS TSP+ winner |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | ~$1,786 | Minivan class, affordable parts, low-risk driver profile |
| Honda Odyssey | ~$1,800 | Family-oriented minivan, strong safety ratings |
| Ford Escape | ~$1,877 | Compact SUV, affordable repairs |
| Buick Envista | ~$1,932 | New compact SUV, low claims history |
| Honda CR-V | ~$1,959 | Low repair costs, low theft rates, excellent safety ratings |
| Subaru Outback | ~$1,972 | Non-sporty design, affordable parts, top IIHS marks |
| Toyota Tacoma | ~$1,989 | Midsize truck, moderate risk profile |
| Nissan Versa | ~$2,011 | Economy sedan, low MSRP, affordable parts |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maserati Quattroporte | ~$7,090–$10,737 | Exotic luxury, very high repair and parts costs |
| Maserati Ghibli | ~$6,384–$10,141 | Exotic luxury, specialized parts |
| Audi RS6 | ~$8,039 | High-performance luxury, premium repair costs |
| Audi RS7 | ~$7,068–$8,034 | High-performance, premium repair costs |
| BMW M8 Gran Coupe | ~$6,744–$7,938 | High-performance luxury, expensive to repair |
| BMW M5 / M5 Touring | ~$6,593–$7,819 | Top-tier performance luxury, high theft risk |
| Nissan GT-R | ~$7,267 | Sports car, high performance and specialized parts |
| Tesla Model X | ~$5,462 | Luxury EV, high vehicle value and battery repair costs |
For a deeper look at high-end vehicle coverage and the factors driving up premiums, review our full guide on what is full coverage car insurance and the average cost of car insurance in 2026.
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 to 5 quotes with identical coverage levels can save $200 to $500 or more per year. Insurers weigh vehicle risk differently, so the same car can be priced very differently across companies. Comparing quotes from the best auto insurance companies of 2026 helps you find the lowest rate for your specific vehicle, and our guide on finding affordable local coverage can help you narrow the field.
2. Raise Your Deductible Strategically
Moving your deductible from $250 to $1,000 can lower your premium by 10 to 20%. Only do this if you can comfortably cover the higher out-of-pocket amount after a claim. Learn more about the 8 types of coverage to understand how deductibles interact with your policy.
3. Stack Available Discounts
| Discount | Potential Savings | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Telematics/UBI | 10–30% (up to 40% with Nationwide SmartRide) | Safe driving tracked via insurer app |
| Multi-Car | 7–25% | Insure multiple vehicles on one policy |
| Bundling | Up to 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 |
Well-qualified drivers who stack telematics, multi-car, bundling, and good-driver discounts often see an effective 30 to 45% total reduction off their base premium. An annual policy review can help you catch missed discounts worth hundreds per year.
4. Drop Unnecessary Coverage on Older Vehicles
If your car is worth less than 10 times your annual premium for collision and comprehensive, consider dropping those coverages and carrying liability only. Review our guide on when to drop full coverage on older vehicles to understand what you'd be giving up, and read about the hidden risks of a coverage downgrade before making the switch.
5. Maintain Continuous Coverage and Good Credit
Policy lapses signal risk to insurers and can raise your rate significantly. Similarly, improving your credit score can save $300 to $1,000 or more annually in states that allow credit-based insurance scoring. Review the latest car insurance industry trends for 2026 to benchmark where your current rate stands. You can also explore 15 proven ways to lower car insurance for a full playbook of savings tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of vehicle is cheapest to insure? Compact SUVs and minivans consistently rank as the cheapest vehicle types to insure in 2026. Models like the Subaru Forester (about $1,774 per year), Dodge Grand Caravan ($1,786), Honda Odyssey ($1,800), and Honda CR-V ($1,959) benefit from strong safety ratings, low theft rates, affordable repair costs, and a lower-risk driver profile. These vehicles come in well below the national full-coverage average of $2,158 to $2,926 per year, and SUVs dominated the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick awards with 50 of the 67 total winners.
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. Luxury performance models like the BMW M5 can exceed $7,800 per year, and the Maserati Quattroporte tops USA Today's 2026 list at $10,737 per 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, with the Toyota Tacoma averaging around $1,989 to $2,389 per year. 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 and minivans remain the most affordable body types 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 49 vehicles and Top Safety Pick to 18 more under tougher new criteria, with SUVs making up 50 of the 67 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 to 30%, or up to 40% with programs like Nationwide SmartRide), bundling your auto policy with home or renters insurance (up to 25% savings), and maintaining a clean driving record are all proven strategies. Even on the most expensive models, smart shopping and discount stacking can recover hundreds of dollars per year. Use our guide on how to find affordable local coverage to start comparing effectively.