What makes a car more expensive to insure?

Asked by: Daphne Mitchell  |  Last update: September 8, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (26 votes)

The car you drive – The cost of your car is a major factor in the cost to insure it. Other variables include the likelihood of theft, the cost of repairs, its engine size and the overall safety record of the car. Automobiles with high quality safety equipment might qualify for premium discounts.

Is it more expensive to insure an expensive car?

Because car insurance is designed to protect your vehicle, the high price of a luxury car inevitably leads to higher insurance costs. For the models included in our survey, the average annual insurance premium for a luxury car was about 18% higher than the cost of insuring a moderately priced sedan.

Is it more expensive to insure a new or old car?

Due to their value, cost to repair, risk of theft and other factors, it may cost more to insure a new car versus an older one. If your new vehicle is financed, your lender will likely require you to carry more insurance than the legal minimum, which typically results in higher premiums.

Does insurance decrease when car is paid off?

No, paying off your car doesn't reduce your insurance rates, but it does give you more control over the type and amount of coverage you have, which can help you save money on your insurance rates.

How long should you keep full coverage on a car?

The standard rule of thumb used to be that car owners should drop collision and comprehensive insurance when the car was five or six years old, or when the mileage reached the 100,000 mark. (Plenty of websites weigh in on this.)

Dave Gorman: Why is Car Insurance So Expensive? | Modern Life is Goodish

22 related questions found

How can I lower my auto insurance?

Here are some ways to save on car insurance1
  1. Increase your deductible.
  2. Check for discounts you qualify for.
  3. Compare auto insurance quotes.
  4. Maintain a good driving record.
  5. Participate in a safe driving program.
  6. Take a defensive driving course.
  7. Explore payment options.
  8. Improve your credit score.

What color cars are more expensive to insure?

Based on this, vehicles that are white or black are likely to cost more to insure, since they are more in demand colors. The color of your car can indirectly affect insurance rates in other ways too. Some vehicles are less likely to be stolen.

Why are BMW so expensive to insure?

As a luxury vehicle manufacturer, BMW models can be expensive to insure. This is because expensive cars usually cost more to repair and replace.

Do SUVs cost more to insure?

On average, SUVs are $314 annually cheaper to insure compared to sedans. Typically, larger vehicles, including trucks and SUVs, are more expensive to insure. However, small crossover SUVs have some of the cheapest rates, even when compared to compact vehicles.

Why is Honda Civic insurance so high?

The cost to insure a Honda Civic increases a bit because of the vehicle's relatively high theft rates. However, because there are so many Civics on the road, it makes sense that they are stolen more often than less ubiquitous cars.

What is the cheapest car to own and maintain?

The trusty Toyota Corolla is the most affordable vehicle on the road in terms of annual maintenance costs, multiple experts said. A Corolla will cost its owner about $350 in annual maintenance costs, though the rate will rise over time.

Are Kias expensive to insure?

Kia auto insurance costs around $1,459 per year. Compared to other car makes and models, Kias have moderate insurance costs, and Kia insurance costs vary substantially by model.

What is the safest car color?

White. We've referenced the safest color car on the road. That color is white. White cars are 12 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than black cars at any time of the day under any conditions.

What color car gets in the most accidents?

1. Black vehicles. Researchers in a few different studies have found that black cars have a much higher accident rate than cars of any other color. One study that was reported in Money Super Market found that black cars are 47% more likely to be involved in collisions than vehicles of any other color.

Why do red cars cost more to buy?

The misconception that red cars are more expensive to insure is fiction. There isn't much evidence to back up the claim that red cars raise insurance prices. While auto insurance companies consider various factors when determining your premium, the color of your vehicle is not one of them.

What is usually the greatest expense in owning a vehicle?

1. Car Payments. Making payments on your car is the biggest, most obvious expense of your vehicle. In 2020, the average monthly car payment on a new vehicle has risen to $550, according to loan statistics from LendingTree.

Does car insurance affect credit score?

The short answer is no. There is no direct affect between car insurance and your credit, paying your insurance bill late or not at all could lead to debt collection reports. Debt collection reports do appear on your credit report (often for 7-10 years) and can be read by future lenders.

What would cause an increase in insurance premiums?

There are some things that are outside of your control but could still affect your premium, including: rising repair costs, an increase in distracted drivers on the road, more drivers on the road, higher speed limits in your geographic area, and an increase in uninsured drivers.

Should I have full coverage if my car is paid off?

Drivers that paid off their loans are no longer required to carry full coverage. If their budgets had been strained due to paying for full coverage, then they should decrease their coverage and premiums. Drivers can support the costs of a replacement.

When should you drop collision?

You should drop your collision insurance when your annual premium equals 10% of your car's value. If your collision insurance costs $100 total per year, for example, drop the coverage when your car is worth $1,000 since, at that point, your insurance payments are too close to your car's value to be worthwhile.

What factors are insurance rates based on?

Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose. These factors may include things such as your age, anti-theft features in your car and your driving record.

Do Nissans cost more to insure?

Many cars are cheaper to protect, but many others are more expensive to protect. The average annual price to insure a Nissan is $1,492.73, which ranks it 15th on a list of 36 vehicles. You can get into one for a fairly low price, though, so you may not mind that these cars aren't the cheapest to cover.