Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure in 2026: Complete Guide

Most and Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure by Category

The difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in 2026 can be thousands of dollars per year — and that gap can turn a seemingly great deal into a costly ownership mistake. Whether you're shopping for a family SUV, a performance sedan, or a weekend sports car, knowing the insurance cost before you sign the paperwork is just as important as knowing the sticker price.

Below are the 2026 rankings by vehicle category based on average annual full coverage premiums. For a broader look at how your vehicle type affects your rates, see our full breakdown by body style.

Sedans

SUVs

Trucks

Sports Cars

Electric Vehicles

EVs are a growing consideration for buyers in 2026, and their insurance costs deserve their own look. On average, EVs cost roughly 40–49% more to insure than comparable gas vehicles — primarily due to expensive battery repairs, high vehicle values, and limited specialized repair networks. Learn more about EV insurance costs and coverage in our dedicated guide.

Why Some Cars Cost So Much More to Insure

Insurance companies don't set rates randomly — every premium is built on data about how much a specific vehicle costs to own, fix, and replace after a claim. Understanding these four core factors helps explain why your next car choice can dramatically shift what you pay. For a complete breakdown of all the variables at play, see what affects car insurance rates.

Repair Costs

Luxury and performance vehicles use specialized parts, proprietary materials, and advanced electronics that cost far more to replace than standard components. This is why a Maserati and a Honda can sustain the same fender-bender but generate claims that are thousands of dollars apart. Even minor collisions on modern vehicles now routinely trigger repair bills of $2,500–$4,000+ due to ADAS sensor recalibration and advanced materials. Electric vehicles face a similar issue — battery damage and limited repair shops drive EV repair bills far higher than their gas counterparts, with battery replacements ranging from $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on the model. The addition of 25% tariffs on imported auto parts in 2025 has further accelerated repair cost inflation, adding an estimated 7%+ to repair bills across the board.

Theft Rates

If your vehicle is a popular target for thieves, your insurer knows it. Vehicles with higher theft likelihood raise premiums because comprehensive coverage must account for frequent theft claims — insurers track models prone to theft using detailed historical data and ZIP code-level claims information. It's worth noting that auto theft hit a decades-low of approximately 659,880 vehicles stolen in 2025, down 23% from 2024 — which has helped moderate comprehensive premiums for many models. Still, certain high-performance imports and popular truck models retain above-average theft exposure that meaningfully affects your annual premium. For a deeper look at how your vehicle type influences what you pay, including theft data by body style, see our full vehicle-type guide.

Safety Ratings

IIHS and NHTSA ratings have a direct and measurable impact on what you pay. Vehicles earning top honors — like the Toyota Camry (TSP+), Mazda3 (TSP+), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (TSP+), and Tesla Model Y (TSP+) — consistently earn lower rates because they result in fewer injury claims and reduced collision severity. On the other hand, poor or unrated safety scores signal elevated risk to insurers and can push premiums 5–25% higher. Insurers reward crash-avoidance technology and strong occupant protection through meaningful discounts.

Horsepower & Vehicle Weight

Bigger engines and higher horsepower correlate with higher speeds and greater accident severity. Insurers factor in a vehicle's performance profile because high-powered cars are statistically more likely to be involved in costly, high-speed crashes — this is why sports cars and performance trims always carry a premium over their base-model counterparts. Vehicle weight plays an equally important role: heavier vehicles cause more damage in crashes, which raises liability costs significantly for other parties involved. Understanding how vehicle weight affects your insurance rates is a key piece of the premium puzzle, especially as the average new vehicle now approaches 4,419 lbs due to the surge in SUVs, trucks, and heavy EVs.

How to Research Insurance Costs Before You Buy

One of the smartest things you can do as a car buyer in 2026 is check insurance costs before you step foot in a dealership. This five-minute step could save you hundreds — or thousands — per year.

Step 1: Use an Online Insurance Calculator

Free tools from NerdWallet, Insurify, MoneyGeek, Bankrate, and PolicyGenius let you enter a vehicle's make, model, year, and your ZIP code to get a real-time rate estimate. Check the average cost of car insurance in 2026 to understand where your vehicle sits relative to the national baseline. As of May 2026, Bankrate places the national full coverage average at $2,697 per year ($225/month), while other sources range from $2,124 to $2,497/year depending on the driver profile and methodology used.

Step 2: Compare Multiple Carriers

Don't just accept the first quote you receive. Shopping multiple car insurance quotes across providers can reveal significant differences — NerdWallet's April 2026 data shows the median gap between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for the same driver now exceeds $1,300 per year for the exact same vehicle and coverage level. Annual comparison shopping can realistically save drivers $300–$800 or more. For a step-by-step guide on how to evaluate carriers side by side, see our complete car insurance shopping guide.

Step 3: Factor In Your Driver Profile

Your age, credit score, driving record, and location all affect how much any given car will cost to insure. Rates vary dramatically above or below the national baseline depending on your personal profile — for example, a DUI can spike premiums by 70–96% and poor credit can add 98–109% or more. See our full breakdown of car insurance cost per year vs. per month to understand what you'll truly pay — including how installment fees can add $36–$180+ annually if you pay monthly instead of in full.

Step 4: Look at State-Level Data

Insurance costs are heavily influenced by where you live. National averages don't tell the full story — rates range dramatically by state, with Vermont among the most affordable ($135/month) and Louisiana among the most expensive ($290/month) for full coverage. In 2026, New Jersey (+10.46%), Nevada (+6.42%), California (+6.13%), and New York (+6.02%) face the steepest hikes, while Iowa (-6.19%), Minnesota (-5.29%), and Arkansas (-4.70%) are among the states seeing meaningful decreases. More than half of U.S. states are projected to see rate reductions in 2026. Check the latest car insurance rate trends and forecast to understand the baseline for your area before shopping.

Tips to Lower Insurance Costs on Expensive-to-Insure Vehicles

Already driving or committed to buying a higher-cost-to-insure vehicle? These strategies can meaningfully reduce what you pay.

Shop Aggressively and Switch When It Makes Sense

Loyalty doesn't always pay in auto insurance. Switching providers is one of the most effective ways to lower your rate. With car insurance rates stabilizing in 2026 — the national projected increase is now less than 1%, the smallest since 2022 — and insurer competition intensifying, this is an ideal window to shop around. Among major carriers, State Farm has announced rate reductions averaging ~10% across 40 states and a $5 billion customer dividend, reshaping the competitive landscape significantly. Check out the best cheap car insurance options to start comparing top-rated carriers side by side.

Stack Every Discount You Qualify For

Most drivers leave significant money on the table by missing discounts they're already eligible for. Combining multiple qualifying discounts can save 30–50% off your base rate. Common options include:

• Multi-policy bundling (home + auto): saves 10–25%
• Good driver / accident-free history: saves 10–30%
• Telematics / usage-based programs: saves up to 30–40% for low-risk drivers
• Multi-car discount: saves 10–25%
• Defensive driving course: saves 5–15% (as little as $25 for online courses)
• Paid-in-full or auto-pay: saves 5–9%
• Anti-theft device installation: saves 5–20%, varies by carrier

Keep tabs on car insurance industry trends — insurers are rapidly expanding telematics programs and AI-based pricing that reward safe drivers more aggressively than ever, with AI now automating approximately 70% of underwriting decisions at major carriers.

Raise Your Deductible Strategically

Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your collision and comprehensive premium by 15–40% — just make sure you have enough in savings to cover the out-of-pocket difference if you file a claim. This alone can save $100–$636+ annually depending on your policy and location.

Consider Dropping Unnecessary Coverage on Older Models

If you're driving an older vehicle in the $5,000–$8,000 value range, full coverage may cost more annually than your car is worth. Use the 10% rule as your guide: if your annual premium for collision and comprehensive exceeds 10% of your car's market value, it may be time to drop down to liability-only. Learn when full coverage makes financial sense before making changes to your policy.

Compare Specialized Insurers for High-Value Vehicles

Not all insurers price vehicles the same way. If you own a luxury or exotic vehicle, specialized carriers like Chubb, AIG Private Client, Pure Insurance, and Hagerty often offer better coverage terms and more competitive rates than standard carriers — including agreed value coverage, lower mileage program options, and flexible eligibility for modified or collectible vehicles. See our full breakdown of luxury and exotic car insurance for a carrier-by-carrier comparison tailored to high-value vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive car to insure in 2026?

The BMW M5 now tops multiple insurer risk lists as the most expensive car to insure in 2026, with an average annual premium of approximately $7,819 for full coverage — up notably from prior years as performance sedan premiums have surged. The Maserati Quattroporte ($7,090/year), Audi S8 ($7,068/year), and Audi RS 7 ($7,068/year) are close behind. Among luxury SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class ($5,623/year) stands out as the priciest body-on-frame SUV to insure. If you're considering any of these vehicles, reviewing luxury and exotic car insurance options from specialized carriers is strongly recommended.

What is the cheapest car to insure in 2026?

The Honda CR-V, Buick Envista, and Honda HR-V are all tied as the cheapest cars to insure in 2026, averaging approximately $1,932/year for full coverage — roughly 30% below the national average. The Subaru Outback ($1,956–$1,968/year) and Subaru Forester ($1,992/year) are close behind. These vehicles earn low rates thanks to strong IIHS safety ratings, widely available and affordable replacement parts, and historically low theft and claim rates. Among sedans, the Toyota Camry and Mazda3 are standouts at around $2,029–$2,039 per year.

Do electric vehicles cost more to insure than gas cars?

On average, yes — EVs cost roughly 40–49% more to insure than comparable gas vehicles in 2026, with full coverage averaging $3,281–$4,058 annually for EVs versus $2,150–$2,697 for gas cars. The difference is driven by higher repair costs, expensive battery replacements ($5,000–$25,000+ depending on the model), higher average vehicle values, and limited specialized repair networks. More affordable EVs like the Chevrolet Equinox EV ($1,800–$2,400/year) and Chevy Bolt ($2,075/year) are increasingly competitive with gas-powered vehicles in their class. Learn more in our full EV insurance cost guide.

Can I lower insurance costs on a high-premium vehicle?

Absolutely. Key strategies include aggressively comparing quotes across 3–5 insurers (the gap between cheapest and most expensive insurer now exceeds $1,300/year for the same driver), stacking all eligible discounts (bundling, telematics, good driver, defensive driving), raising your deductible if financially feasible, and enrolling in a usage-based insurance program. Combining multiple qualifying discounts can save 30–50% off your base rate. With rates stabilizing in 2026 and insurer competition growing, this is one of the best windows in years to negotiate a better deal.

Why do some affordable cars have surprisingly high insurance rates?

Some budget-priced vehicles carry elevated insurance premiums due to poor safety ratings, high theft rates, or repair costs that are expensive relative to their value. A car's purchase price and its insurance cost are not always correlated — insurers care about how much it costs to repair or replace, not how little you paid for it. Understanding what affects car insurance rates can help you identify which vehicle-specific factors are working against you. Always verify insurance costs for any specific make and model before purchasing, using free tools from MoneyGeek, Bankrate, or Insurify.