Why Your Vehicle Type Matters for Car Insurance
The type of vehicle you drive can greatly impact the cost of your car insurance and the kind of coverage you need. Some of the biggest factors that can affect your car insurance costs related to your vehicle type include its average repair costs, average theft rates in your area, the vehicle's official safety ratings, and its body type. However, no matter what kind of car you drive, it's still possible to get affordable car insurance when you know where to look.
It's also helpful to work with a local independent insurance agent. These agents can shop and compare car insurance by vehicle type from multiple carriers in your area to find the best rate. But first, we'll explore auto coverage by vehicle type to help you get started.
Key Takeaways - Car Insurance by Vehicle Type in 2026
The type of vehicle you drive affects your auto insurance rates due to safety ratings, theft rates, and repair costs.
Minivans are the least expensive type of vehicle to insure, averaging just $103 per month for full coverage.
Sports cars are the most expensive type of vehicle to insure, averaging $401 per month for full coverage.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can shop and compare quotes and policy options by vehicle type from multiple carriers to find the best deal.
Average Car Insurance Cost by Vehicle Type in 2026
The average cost of full coverage car insurance is $2,575 this year, or about $216 per month. However, car insurance costs by vehicle type can vary greatly. Read on to learn the average insurance cost by car type in 2026.
Insurance cost comparison table by body type
Depending on the kind of car you drive, you could pay a lot more or a lot less for an auto policy. For example, driving a sports car will cost you almost $300 more per year for full coverage, on average, than driving a compact van.
| Type of Vehicle | Average Monthly Cost of Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Cost of Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Vans | $53 | $103 |
| Wagons | $82 | $159 |
| Vans | $85 | $164 |
| Coupes | $89 | $172 |
| Pickup Trucks | $93 | $180 |
| Other | $95 | $184 |
| Sedans | $97 | $188 |
| Convertibles | $98 | $191 |
| Hatchbacks | $104 | $201 |
| SUVs | $109 | $212 |
| Sports Cars | $204 | $401 |
Cheapest vehicle types to insure
Compact vans and minivans are the cheapest body type to insure in 2026, at an average of just $103 per month for full coverage. However, you may be wondering which vehicle is the cheapest to insure overall. A couple of the cheapest individual vehicles to insure this year are the Mazda CX-5 ($364 per month) and the Subaru Forester ($367 per month), with the cheapest rates available from Nationwide.
Most expensive vehicle types to insure
Which body type is most expensive to insure? Sports cars cost by far the most to insure, at an average of $401 per month for full coverage. Some of the most expensive cars to insure in 2026 overall, however, include the Rolls-Royce Arcadia, averaging $27,541 per year for full coverage, and the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, averaging $11,105 per year for full coverage.
Browse Car Insurance by Vehicle Type
Find the type of coverage you need for the vehicle you drive by browsing common options below.
You might need classic car insurance if your vehicle is more than 25 years old. Learn how to insure your classic car for its agreed value. Find the coverage you need for your classic car, as well as answers to important questions like "How much is classic car insurance? and "When is a car considered a classic?"
Find the coverage you need for your exotic car and search for local independent insurance agents. Learn why exotic car insurance carriers use agreed value rather than actual cash value, and some cap your eligibility to vehicles valued around $150,000. Also, discover answers to questions such as, "What is an exotic car?"
Get the coverage you need for your pickup truck, find out how much it costs, and browse for a local independent insurance agent. Insurance for a Ford F-150 averages $107 per month for full coverage. Also, find answers to questions such as, "Are truck prices going down?"
Find the coverage you need for your sports car, how much it costs, and answers to important questions like "How much is insurance for a sports car?" and "What is a sports car?" The average cost of sports car insurance is $401 per month for full coverage in 2026.
Get the coverage you need for your specific SUV and discover answers to questions including "What is the most reliable SUV on the market?" or "Which SUV is best for me?"
Sedan Insurance (Full Coverage Insurance)
Find the coverage you need to insure your sedan and learn how much you can expect to pay. The average cost of full coverage for a sedan is $188 per month in 2026. Connect with a local independent insurance agent to find the most affordable coverage.
Salvage and Rebuilt Title Vehicle Insurance
Learn how to insure your rebuilt title vehicle and why there's actually no such coverage as salvage title insurance. A local independent insurance agent can help you find affordable rebuilt title vehicle insurance.
Find the right coverage for your leased vehicle with the help of a local independent insurance agent. Leased vehicles typically require liability, collision, comprehensive, and gap insurance. Learn how much you can expect to pay for leased auto insurance in 2026.
How Vehicle Type Affects Your Insurance Rate
What makes a car expensive to insure? Higher repair costs and theft rates can lead to higher car insurance rates, while better safety ratings can lead to lower rates. The factors below have some of the biggest influences on how your vehicle type affects car insurance costs.
Repair costs and parts availability
Cars with proprietary or imported parts (e.g., Tesla, Audi, and BMW) generally cost more to repair, leading to higher insurance premiums. Hard-to-find and expensive parts lead to higher repair and insurance costs. In contrast, discontinued model vehicles often cost less to insure due to a lower replacement value.
Theft rates by vehicle type
Some of the most stolen vehicles in 2026 are the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Ford F-Series, and Chevrolet Silverado. Insurers track theft statistics by make, model, and year, and vehicles with higher theft rates usually cost more to insure. This is because the carrier faces a greater risk of having to pay to replace your stolen vehicle.
Safety ratings and crash test scores
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) score vehicles for safety and crash results in several categories. Top safety scores from this organization demonstrate a lower risk of injury claims, which can lower car insurance premiums.
Safety features in vehicles, such as lane-keeping assist and automatic braking, can also reduce accident frequency, but may increase repair costs after a collision. This can offset some of the insurance savings you get from having these features.
Vehicle body type and engine size
Two-door coupes often have higher insurance premiums than four-door body styles. Further, V6 engines often cost more to insure than four-cylinder versions of the same model. Additionally, newer model years usually cost more to insure than older vehicles of the same type due to their higher replacement values.
How to Save on Car Insurance Based on Your Vehicle
Wondering how to lower your car insurance rates? There are many common car insurance discounts you can ask your insurer about. It's easy to reduce your costs when you follow any of these easy car insurance savings tips:
- Bundle your coverage: Buying homeowners insurance and car insurance from the same company can help you save money on both types of coverage with bundling discounts.
- Enroll in telematics programs: Many auto insurance companies offer programs that track your driving behavior and usage and reward you for good driving.
- Install anti-theft devices: If your vehicle has a burglar alarm and other security features to reduce the chance of theft or vandalism, you may earn a nice discount from your carrier.
- Take a defensive driving course: Many auto insurers offer discounts if you complete one of their approved defensive driving courses, which can be taken online.
- Drop comprehensive and collision on older vehicles: If you drive an older vehicle valued at only a few thousand dollars, you can typically drop your collision and comprehensive coverage to save on your policy.
An independent insurance agent can recommend additional ways to save on your car insurance.
FAQs About Car Insurance by Vehicle Type
Which vehicle type is the cheapest to insure?
Compact vans and minivans are the cheapest type of vehicle to insure, averaging just $103 per month for full coverage.
Which vehicle type is the most expensive to insure?
Sports cars are the most expensive car to insure, averaging $401 per month for full coverage.
Are SUVs cheaper to insure than sedans?
No, on average. Full coverage for SUVs costs an average of $212 per month, which is higher than the average cost for sedans, at $188 per month.
Why are sports cars so expensive to insure?
Sports cars are statistically linked to risky driving behavior, higher theft rates, and exclusive parts that cost more to replace. They average $401 per month for full coverage.
How much more does it cost to insure an electric vehicle?
Full coverage for electric vehicles costs $3,281 per year on average, compared to $2,956 for hybrids. The EV premium is 10%-25% higher than that of comparable gas-powered cars, but this gap is narrowing as repair networks grow and mature over time.
Does vehicle color affect insurance rates?
No. Insurers don't consider paint color as a rating factor. Your premium is set by your vehicle's make, model, safety features, theft rates, and repair costs.
Will my insurance rate drop if I switch to a cheaper vehicle type?
Yes, in most cases. Switching from an SUV to a sedan saves $288 per year on full coverage, on average. Larger savings can come from switching from a sports car or luxury car to a compact van or sedan.
What is the cheapest car to insure in 2026?
A few of the cheapest cars to insure this year are the Isuzu Amigo ($96 per month for full coverage), the Dodge Stratus ($101 per month), and the Buick Encore GX ($101 per month).
Get a Quote From an Independent Insurance Agent
When you're ready to find the cheapest auto insurance for your vehicle type, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents can compare quotes from multiple carriers near you, which can be particularly valuable for non-standard vehicle types, such as exotic, rebuilt-title, and high-mileage commercial vehicles. Your agent will help you find the best overall blend of coverage and cost, and can even help you file car insurance claims if the time comes.
Sources
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/by-vehicle/#average-cost-by-vehicle-type
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/what-is-the-average-cost-of-car-insurance-month-year/
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/the-cheapest-cars-to-insure/
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/insuring-an-electric-vehicle/