Your car’s model has a bigger impact on your insurance price than you might think. Many drivers assume age, driving history, or location are the main factors—and while those matter, the type of car you drive can drastically raise or reduce your premium. But why?
In this simple, beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain exactly how your car model affects insurance price, why some models cost more to insure than others, and how to choose a car that keeps your insurance affordable.
Why Insurance Companies Care About Your Car Model
When insurers calculate your rate, they look at one main idea: How expensive will it be to repair or replace your car if something goes wrong?
Different car models have different:
- Repair costs
- Safety ratings
- Theft rates
- Accident statistics
- Engine power
- Technology complexity
- Likelihood of being totaled
All these factors determine whether your model is “cheap to insure” or “expensive to insure.”
1. Repair Costs: Some Cars Are More Expensive to Fix
The biggest reason insurance varies by model is how much repairs cost. Some cars are simple and cheap to fix, while others require costly parts or specialized labor.
Cars that are expensive to repair:
- Luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi)
- Electric vehicles (Tesla, Rivian)
- High-tech vehicles with advanced sensors
- Cars with aluminum or composite body panels
Cars that are cheap to repair:
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic
- Nissan Sentra
- Hyundai Elantra
The cheaper the repairs, the cheaper the insurance—simple as that.
2. Car Value: Expensive Cars Cost More to Replace
The higher your car’s value, the more your insurer has to pay if it’s totaled. That’s why a new $45,000 SUV will always cost more to insure than an older $8,000 sedan.
Higher value = higher premium
Examples of high-cost models:
- Jeep Wrangler (pricey parts)
- Tesla Model 3/Y
- Ford F-150 Platinum
- BMW 5 Series
If you want low insurance costs, aim for models with lower purchase prices and cheaper replacement value.
3. Safety Ratings: Safe Cars Cost Less to Insure
Insurance companies LOVE safe cars. The safer your model is, the less likely it is to cause expensive injuries or damage in a crash.
Cars with good safety ratings often get lower insurance rates because:
- They protect passengers better
- They have fewer fatal accidents
- They reduce medical payouts for insurers
Look for cars highly rated by:
- IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Examples of cheaper-to-insure safe cars:
- Subaru Outback
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry
- Mazda CX-5
4. Theft Rates: Popular Stolen Cars Have Higher Insurance
Some car models are targeted more frequently by thieves. If your model appears on the “most stolen cars” lists, your insurance price goes up—even if you’ve never had a theft incident.
Cars often targeted by thieves:
- Honda Civic (older models)
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry
- Kia & Hyundai models (2020–2022) due to security flaw
- Pickup trucks (Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado)
Insurers charge more because theft claims are extremely expensive to settle.
5. Engine Size & Performance: Fast Cars Cost More
Cars with larger engines, turbocharged motors, or sporty designs typically cost much more to insure. Why? Because they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents.
Examples of models with higher insurance:
- Dodge Charger / Challenger
- Ford Mustang
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Subaru WRX
If the car feels fast, strong, sporty, or high-powered—it WILL cost more to insure.
6. Technology & Sensors: High-Tech Cars Have High Repair Bills
New cars come loaded with features like:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Parking sensors
- 360-degree cameras
- Radar systems
These help prevent accidents, but when they break, they’re extremely expensive to repair.
Example:
A simple bumper replacement used to cost $300. Today, a bumper with sensors can cost $1,500–$4,000.
Because insurers pay for these repairs, they charge higher premiums for high-tech cars.
7. Body Style: SUVs vs Sedans vs Trucks
Sedans
Typically the cheapest to insure due to lower repair costs and moderate crash severity.
SUVs
Often affordable because they score well in safety tests, but large SUVs cost more due to expensive parts.
Trucks
Pickup trucks can be expensive due to theft rates and costly repairs.
Sports Cars
The most expensive category because of high speeds, accident risk, and repair costs.
8. Car Age: New Cars Cost More, Older Cars Cost Less
Insurance companies charge more for new cars because:
- They have higher market value
- They have expensive electronics and sensors
- They cost more to repair
Older cars (10+ years) are usually much cheaper to insure—especially if you only buy liability coverage.
9. Popular Cars with High Claim Rates
Even if a car is cheap or safe, it may still be expensive to insure if drivers of that model historically file more claims.
For example, cars driven by younger or riskier drivers get higher premiums simply due to statistics.
Examples:
- Dodge Challenger (young demographic = high claims)
- Nissan 350Z / 370Z
- VW GTI
Insurance companies look at “driver behavior patterns” for each model.
How to Choose a Car That’s Cheap to Insure
If you want lower insurance costs, follow these tips:
1. Choose a reliable sedan or compact car
Small, safe, fuel-efficient cars are cheaper in almost every category.
2. Compare insurance before buying the car
Use tools like:
3. Avoid high-performance engines
Turbo, V6, and V8 engines = higher premiums.
4. Look for cars with good safety ratings
More safety = fewer accidents = lower insurance.
5. Avoid models with theft issues
Some years and models have extremely high theft claims.
Examples of Cars with Low Insurance Costs (2025)
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Corolla
- Subaru Outback
- Nissan Versa
- Mazda 3
- Hyundai Elantra
These cars are affordable, safe, and cheap to repair—perfect for lowering your insurance bill.
Final Thoughts
Your car model plays a huge role in how much you pay for insurance. Factors like repair costs, value, safety ratings, technology, theft statistics, and engine power all influence your premium. By choosing a safe, reliable, modestly priced vehicle, you can save hundreds (or even thousands) every year.
Always compare insurance quotes before buying a new car—even two models from the same brand can have very different insurance prices.
For more car insurance insights, check:
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