Why does your insurance go up if you have a red car?

Asked by: Valerie Stiedemann  |  Last update: August 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (57 votes)

Does car insurance cost more for a red vehicle? The notion that it costs more to insure a red vehicle is a myth. Car insurance companies look at many different aspects of your vehicle to set your rate, but color is not one of them.

Why do you have to pay more for a red car?

It is a belief that red cars are pulled over by police more than any other color because supposedly red stands out more than any other color. As a result insurance companies may charge a client more if they buy a red car.

Is red a bad color for a car?

Drivers should think carefully about what car they choose because certain colour choices can put them at a significantly higher risk of an accident, theft, or general car paint problems. Our Sales & Product Director, Gary Digva, warns that motorists who own a red vehicle are most likely to be in danger on the roads.

Do cops pull over red cars more?

The truth is that red cars might get pulled over slightly more often than other cars, but it has nothing to do with the color. The behaviors that are likely to get you pulled over in a red car are equally likely to get you pulled over in a white car or a grey one.

Do red cars cost more to insure Geico?

What are common myths about auto insurance? Myth #1: Red cars are the most expensive to insure. Fact: A red car won't cost you more than a green, yellow, black, or blue car. Insurers are interested in the year, make, model, body type, engine size, and age of your vehicle.

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38 related questions found

How much extra is insurance on a red car?

You may have heard red cars are more expensive to insure. But, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the color of the car you drive does not affect the price of auto insurance.

What color car is most expensive to insure?

Color has no impact on your insurance price. At Progressive, we won't even ask about it. Custom paint jobs are another story—if you paint your vehicle, be sure to add optional coverage for “custom parts and equipment” to your auto policy.

Why not buy a red car?

While red does tend to be associated with less of a risk of accidents than black, grey, and silver cars, red cars have more accidents than many other colors. When compared with the safest color on the road, red cars have a 7 percent higher risk of an accident. Red is such a bold, vibrant color.

What color car is most stopped by police?

According to the National Motorists Association, white-colored vehicles get pulled over the most. That said, red vehicles come in second, followed closely by gray and silver. Unsurprisingly, white cars are stopped by law enforcement because it's the most common vehicle color.

What color car looks the cleanest?

FAQ About Car Color and Cleanliness

Light-colored cars such as gray, silver, tan, or beige are considered the easiest to keep clean. These colors are typically more reflective, which helps camouflage dirt and other imperfections, giving the car a cleaner look.

What color car to avoid?

Black is the most dangerous car color you can buy. In fact, black vehicles have a 12% higher risk of being involved in an accident than white vehicles. This number soars even higher during the low-light conditions presented at dusk, dawn, and in adverse weather conditions.

Which car is safest in a crash?

Subaru models tend to be considered the strongest cars in accidents for both these systems and their inherent engineering; the IIHS agrees and has included six Subaru models (the Impreza, WRX, Forester, Outback, Solterra, and Ascent) in their list of 2024 and 2025 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ award winners.

What color car is most stolen?

While car colour alone won't entirely protect you from theft, choosing a less-targeted colour can be one of several steps you take to reduce the risk. Bright and less common colours like yellow, orange, and green tend to be stolen the least, while darker colours like black and blue are more frequently targeted.

Does red car increase insurance?

As a red car owner, you may have heard that your vehicle's color could lead to higher insurance premiums. However, the truth is the color of your car, even if it's red, doesn't impact your insurance costs. Most insurers don't even ask about your car's color when determining premiums.

Do red cars hold their value?

The top five car colors with the best resale value

Orange (18.4% value lost over three years) Red (20.6% value lost over three years)

Are red cars stolen more often?

That's important to thieves, so they pick the popular colors. A very bright color such as yellow is probably as effective as an expensive security device in discouraging thieves, Vollaard says. Red, orange, brown and green vehicles are probably less likely to be stolen, too, he says.

What cars do cops not pull over?

White Pickups Never Get Stopped. The least pulled over vehicle of all time is of course the plain white 250 pick up truck with a work bed or not. If it looks like a work truck, it won't get pulled over unless you are doing something egregious.

What color is illegal for cars?

There are no laws regarding how you paint your vehicle as long as you refrain from impersonating emergency vehicles and the like. People are painting their cars neon pink, bright yellow and spray painting patterns on their vehicles every day.

What color car is most unpopular?

The most uncommon car colors
  • Green: 2%
  • Orange: 0.5%
  • Beige: 0.5%
  • Brown: 0.4%
  • Yellow: 0.2%
  • Gold: 0.1%
  • Purple: 0.1%

What are the disadvantages of red cars?

While there are many benefits to having a bright red car paint, there are also some drawbacks to consider. One of the main drawbacks is that bright red paint can be more difficult to maintain than other colors. Red is a vibrant and intense color, which means that it can fade or dull over time.

What color car makes insurance higher?

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.

What does buying a red car mean?

Red cars. Red symbolises action, passion and strength, and will likely appeal to drivers with a vibrant personality. “If you own a red vehicle, you're bound to have quick reactions,” Chiazzari commented. “You are a confident motorist who isn't afraid of being in everyone's line of vision.

What is the best color car to avoid accidents?

Overwhelmingly, white is considered the safest car color with the lowest risk of being struck. According to one study, white cars are 12% less likely to be in a crash than black cars, even during the day.

What color car looks most luxurious?

Pearl White – White cars with a pearl finish offer a sense of purity and high-end appeal. The pearlescent effect adds depth and complexity to the paint, making the vehicle stand out as luxurious and well-crafted.

What color car is the least stolen?

Studies suggest that white is one of the safest colors for a car. This is because white tends to be the most visible at night and in other weather conditions (except for snow), unlike darker car colors. Silver is a close second, but it does become harder to see in foggy conditions and at dusk.