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
| Model | Avg. Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | ~$2,022 | One of the cheapest sedans to insure |
| MINI Cooper | ~$2,150 | Low starting premiums with major carriers |
| Mazda3 Sedan | ~$2,029 | Affordable parts keep costs down |
| Maserati Ghibli | ~$6,384 | Luxury repair costs drive premiums sky-high |
| BMW M8 Gran Coupe | ~$5,988 | Performance brand = high insurer risk |
SUVs
| Model | Avg. Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | ~$1,947 | Consistently one of the cheapest SUVs to insure |
| Honda CR-V | ~$1,951–$2,270 | IIHS Top Safety Pick year after year |
| Subaru Forester | ~$2,035 | Low repair costs and strong safety scores |
| Hyundai Kona | ~$1,960 | Budget-friendly compact SUV |
| Hyundai Palisade | ~$2,995–$3,049 | Larger size and repair costs raise premiums |
Trucks
| Model | Avg. Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Ridgeline | ~$2,030 | Cheapest truck to insure overall |
| Toyota Tacoma | ~$2,389 | Reliable midsize with moderate premiums |
| Nissan Frontier | ~$2,340 | Budget-friendly midsize option |
| Chevrolet Colorado | ~$2,348 | Mid-range compact truck |
| GMC Sierra 3500 HD | ~$3,000 | High weight causes greater damage in crashes |
Sports Cars
| Model | Avg. Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Z | ~$2,916 | Sporty but more accessible insurance |
| Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | ~$3,201 | High performance, elevated premiums |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | ~$3,411 | Track-focused spec adds to risk profile |
| Nissan GT-R | ~$6,790 | Near-supercar territory for insurance |
| Maserati Quattroporte | ~$7,090 | The most expensive car to insure in 2026 |
Electric Vehicles
EVs are a growing consideration for buyers in 2026, and their insurance costs deserve their own look. On average, EVs cost roughly 19–23% 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.
| Model | Avg. Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MINI Electric | ~$1,389–$2,099 | One of the cheapest EVs to insure |
| Nissan Leaf | ~$1,555–$2,100 | Affordable EV with reasonable premiums |
| Chevy Bolt | ~$1,571–$2,400 | Budget EV with lower repair costs |
| Tesla Model Y | ~$2,189–$3,500 | Mid-range EV with above-average premiums |
| Porsche Taycan | ~$2,915–$3,365 | Luxury EV with premium repair costs |
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. Vehicles with expensive parts or specialized repairs lead to higher premiums, as insurers anticipate larger payouts on collision or comprehensive claims. This is why a Maserati and a Honda can sustain the same fender-bender but generate claims that are thousands of dollars apart. Electric vehicles face a similar issue — battery damage and limited repair shops drive EV repair bills far higher than their gas counterparts.
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. High-performance imports and certain popular truck models tend to have above-average theft exposure.
Safety Ratings
IIHS and NHTSA ratings have a direct and measurable impact on what you pay. Vehicles that earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards typically see insurance premiums 5–15% lower than comparable vehicles with poor ratings. Cars with top safety ratings — like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester — 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.
Horsepower & Performance
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. Understanding how vehicle weight affects your insurance rates is equally important — heavier vehicles cause more damage in crashes, which raises liability costs.
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. Insurify draws on tens of millions of real quotes, making its estimates highly accurate for comparison purposes.
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 — sometimes $800 or more per year — for the exact same vehicle and coverage level. Check our guide on the best auto insurance companies for 2026 to see which providers consistently offer the lowest rates for your vehicle type.
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. A 25-year-old with a clean record in Vermont will pay very different rates from a 20-year-old with a speeding ticket in Nevada — even for the same car. The national average for full coverage now ranges from approximately $2,290 to $2,513 per year, but individual rates can vary dramatically above or below that baseline.
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 from around $101/month in Vermont to $280/month in Nevada for full coverage. Check our guide on car insurance rates by state 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 after years of double-digit increases, this is an ideal time to shop around and lock in a better deal.
Stack Every Discount You Qualify For
Most drivers leave significant money on the table by missing discounts they're already eligible for. Stacking multiple discounts — such as safe driver, bundling, and multi-car — can yield combined savings of 30–50% or $300–$800 annually. Common options include:
- Multi-policy bundling (home + auto): saves 7–25%
- Good driver / accident-free history: saves 10–30%
- Telematics / usage-based programs: saves 10–30%
- Multi-car discount: saves 10–25%
- Paid-in-full or auto-pay: saves 5–9%
- Anti-theft device installation: varies by carrier
Raise Your Deductible Strategically
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your collision and comprehensive premium meaningfully — just make sure you have enough in savings to cover the out-of-pocket difference if you file a claim.
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. Understanding what full coverage car insurance actually includes can help you decide the right threshold for your situation.
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, and Hagerty often offer better coverage terms and more competitive rates than standard carriers. Learn more in our guide to luxury and exotic car insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive car to insure in 2026?
The Maserati Quattroporte tops the list as the most expensive car to insure in 2026, with an average annual premium of approximately $7,090 for full coverage. Its premium pricing reflects extremely high parts costs, low production volume, and elevated theft and claim severity risk. Other top contenders include the Maserati Ghibli ($6,384/year), the Nissan GT-R ($6,790/year), and the BMW M8 Gran Coupe (~$5,988/year).
What is the cheapest car to insure in 2026?
The Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester consistently rank as the cheapest cars to insure in 2026, with annual full coverage premiums ranging from approximately $1,947 to $2,270. 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 trucks, the Honda Ridgeline (~$2,030/year) stands out as the most affordable to insure.
Do electric vehicles cost more to insure than gas cars?
On average, yes — EVs cost roughly 19–23% more to insure than comparable gas vehicles in 2026. This is largely due to expensive battery repairs, higher vehicle values, and a more limited network of qualified repair shops. However, more affordable EVs like the Nissan Leaf and MINI Electric buck the trend with premiums competitive with gas-powered vehicles in their class.
Can I lower insurance costs on a high-premium vehicle?
Absolutely. Key strategies include aggressively comparing quotes across multiple insurers, stacking all eligible discounts (bundling, telematics, good driver), raising your deductible if financially feasible, and enrolling in a usage-based insurance program. Combining three to five qualifying discounts can save 30–50% off your base rate, and simply switching carriers can save hundreds per year.
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. Always verify insurance costs for any specific make and model before purchasing, using free tools from MoneyGeek, Bankrate, or Insurify.

