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. According to Insurify's June 2026 report based on more than 235 million quotes, EVs average $3,159 per year for full coverage, roughly 42% more ($941 annually) than the $2,218 gas-vehicle average. That gap narrows to about 18% ($501 more per year) when comparing only 2024-or-newer models. Other analyses (including CNBC and LA Times reporting on Insurify data that includes luxury EVs) land as high as $4,058/year, or 49% more. The gap is driven primarily by expensive battery repairs, high vehicle values, and limited specialized repair networks. Learn more about electric vehicle 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 to $4,000+ due to ADAS sensor recalibration and advanced materials. Electric vehicles face a similar issue, with battery damage and limited repair shops driving EV repair bills far higher than their gas counterparts. Battery replacements alone range from $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on the model. The 25% Section 232 tariffs on imported auto parts (effective since May 2025 and still in place through 2026) continue to accelerate repair cost inflation, with APCIA estimating an additional $80 to $100 per repairable claim and Insurify projecting tariffs alone could push premiums up 4 to 7% by year-end. Learn more about how insurance premiums are calculated and why repair cost inflation flows straight through to your rate.

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, and insurers track models prone to theft using detailed historical data and ZIP code-level claims information. That said, per National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) data, U.S. auto thefts fell to 659,880 vehicles stolen in 2025, a 23.2% decline from 2024 and the lowest annual figure in several decades. Washington (-39%), Colorado (-35%), Puerto Rico (-34%), South Dakota (-32%), and Tennessee (-31%) posted the largest state-level drops, which has helped moderate comprehensive coverage premiums for many models. Alaska was the only state where thefts increased. Still, certain high-performance imports and popular truck models retain above-average theft exposure that meaningfully affects your annual premium.

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 to 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, since heavier vehicles cause more damage in crashes, which raises liability costs significantly for other parties involved. Understanding how vehicle weight affects insurance rates is a key piece of the premium puzzle, especially as the average new vehicle now weighs more than 4,400 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 even 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 mid-2026, Insurify places the national full coverage average at $2,237 per year ($186/month), NerdWallet at $2,300, and Insure.com at $2,513, while MoneyGeek reports $2,575, ValuePenguin/LendingTree $2,496, and Experian $2,926, depending on driver profile and methodology.

Step 2: Compare Multiple Carriers

Don't just accept the first quote you receive. Shopping across providers can reveal significant differences. Learn more about comparing car insurance companies to see how the top-rated carriers stack up. Annual comparison shopping can realistically save drivers $300 to $800 or more, and it's especially important right now. State Farm has cut auto rates about 10% on average across 40 states (roughly $4.6 billion in customer savings) and is issuing a $5 billion policyholder dividend announced February 26, 2026, the largest in its 103-year history. Payouts average about $100 per vehicle and began distribution in summer 2026, meaning some carriers are much more competitive than they were a year ago.

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. A DUI can spike premiums by 70 to 96% and poor credit can add 98 to 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 to $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 (~$128/month full coverage per ValuePenguin) and Nevada ($335/month), Louisiana ($327/month), and Florida ($311/month) among the most expensive. Per LendingTree/ValuePenguin's 2026 forecast, New Jersey (+10.46%), Nevada (+6.42%), California (+6.13%), New York (+6.02%), and Washington, D.C. (+5.36%) face the steepest hikes, while Iowa (-6.19%), Minnesota (-5.29%), Arkansas (-4.70%), Missouri (-4.45%), and Illinois (-4.26%) are among the states seeing meaningful decreases. More than half of U.S. states are projected to see rate reductions in 2026, with the national increase projected at just 0.67%. Check how to find cheap car insurance locally 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 the national projected 2026 rate change at just 0.67% (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 around 10% across 40 states plus its record $5 billion customer dividend, reshaping the competitive landscape significantly. Explore proven ways to lower car insurance 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 to 50% off your base rate. Common options include:

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

Keep tabs on car insurance industry trends in 2026. Insurers are rapidly expanding telematics programs and AI-based pricing that reward safe drivers more aggressively than ever, with AI now automating a large share of underwriting decisions at major carriers (roughly 76% of insurers run AI in at least one function).

Raise Your Deductible Strategically

Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your collision and comprehensive premium by 15 to 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 to $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 to $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 to drop full coverage on older vehicles before making changes to your policy. With the average U.S. vehicle now 12.8 years old (and projected to hit 13.0 in 2026), this decision applies to more drivers than ever.

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 Maserati Quattroporte tops most 2026 rankings as the most expensive car to insure, with average annual premiums ranging from about $7,090 (Insure.com) to $10,737 (USA TODAY's multi-source analysis). The Maserati Ghibli ($10,141), Audi RS 6 ($8,039), Audi RS 7 ($8,034), BMW M8 Gran Coupe ($6,744 to $7,938), and BMW M5 ($6,593 to $7,819) round out the top of the list. 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 15 to 20% below the national average of $2,237 to $2,513. WalletHub's 2026 study places the Subaru Forester even lower at $1,774/year, followed by the Dodge Grand Caravan ($1,786) and Honda Odyssey ($1,800). 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 to $2,039 per year.

Do electric vehicles cost more to insure than gas cars?

On average, yes. Per Insurify's June 2026 report based on 235 million+ quotes, EVs cost 42% more to insure than gas cars ($3,159/year vs. $2,218/year), though the gap narrows to just 18% when comparing only 2024-or-newer models. Other analyses reach as high as 49% more when luxury EVs are factored in ($4,058/year per CNBC and LA Times reporting). The difference is driven by higher repair costs, expensive battery replacements ($5,000 to $30,000+ depending on the model), higher average vehicle values, and limited specialized repair networks. More affordable EVs like the Chevrolet Equinox EV ($1,800 to $2,400/year) and Chevy Bolt ($2,075/year) are increasingly competitive with gas-powered vehicles in their class. Learn more in our full Tesla insurance cost guide.

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

Absolutely. Key strategies include aggressively comparing quotes across 3 to 5 insurers, 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 to 50% off your base rate. With rates stabilizing in 2026 (national increase projected at just 0.67%) and insurer competition growing (including State Farm's $5 billion dividend and roughly 10% rate cuts across 40 states), 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, because 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.