What Are the Most Expensive Cars to Insure?
Last Updated on January 20, 2026
When you’re shopping for a vehicle, it’s smart to factor in insurance costs early—not after you’ve signed the paperwork. Beyond your driving record and ZIP code, the make and model can heavily influence what you pay because it affects claim severity (repair costs, total-loss payouts, and theft risk).
Auto insurers price policies based on underwriting (your risk profile) and rating (what claims are expected to cost). The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a helpful overview of how insurers think about claims and coverage types on its consumer auto insurance page.
At a Glance
- Repair Costs Drive Premiums: Luxury materials, sensors, and specialized labor can make even minor damage expensive to fix.
- Total-Loss Payouts Matter: Higher vehicle values increase the insurer’s potential payout when a car is totaled or stolen.
- Performance Can Raise Risk: High-horsepower models often come with higher claim severity and higher pricing from many carriers.
- Shopping Can Save Real Money: Two insurers can price the same car very differently, so comparing quotes is essential.
Why Some Cars Cost More to Insure
In general, cars become expensive to insure when they’re costly to repair, costly to replace, or more likely to generate large injury or property-damage claims. High-end vehicles also tend to include specialized materials, advanced sensors, and brand-specific parts that can raise both labor time and parts pricing.
Quick tip: Get insurance quotes before you buy. A “dream car” can turn into a budget problem if it lands in a high-loss or high-theft category.
Key Cost Drivers Insurers Look At
| Driver | Why It Raises Premiums | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| High replacement value | More money at stake on a total loss. | Consider a higher deductible and shop multiple carriers. |
| Expensive repairs | Luxury parts, aluminum bodywork, performance tires/brakes, and advanced tech increase claim costs. | Ask about OEM/aftermarket parts options where available and acceptable. |
| High performance | Higher speeds can mean higher-severity crashes and higher payouts. | Maintain a clean record; avoid tickets and at-fault accidents. |
| Theft and vandalism risk | Comprehensive claims rise when a model is frequently stolen or targeted. | Garage parking, alarms, tracking, and anti-theft devices can help. |
| Safety and crash outcomes | Vehicles with weaker crash performance or costly occupant injuries can be rated higher. | Check NHTSA and IIHS ratings before you buy. |
Examples of the Most Expensive Cars to Insure
Because premiums change constantly, the best way to compare “expensive” models is to use a consistent data set and methodology. The table below uses nationwide averages published by Insure.com (rates collected via Quadrant Information Services; full coverage assumptions and driver profiles detailed in their methodology section). Your actual premium can be very different based on state rules, carrier appetite, your record, and garaging address.
Source: Insure.com insurance rates by car (2026 page)
2026 Examples Using Nationwide Average Annual Premiums
| Rank | Vehicle (Example Model) | Avg. Annual Premium (Nationwide) | Why It’s Often High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maserati Quattroporte | $7,090 | High replacement/repair costs; luxury parts and labor. |
| 2 | Maserati Ghibli | $6,386 | Luxury repairs and high claim severity. |
| 3 | BMW M8 Gran Coupe | $5,985 | Performance driving profile and expensive components. |
| 4 | Audi RS7 | $5,792 | High-performance parts and costly collision repairs. |
| 5 | Nissan GT-R | $5,637 | Performance risk plus specialized parts. |
| 6 | BMW M8 | $5,552 | High speed capability and high repair severity. |
| 7 | Audi e-tron GT | $5,528 | Luxury EV repair complexity and parts pricing. |
| 8 | Audi RS6 | $5,516 | Performance wagon with premium components. |
| 9 | Audi S8 | $5,487 | High-end tech and luxury repair costs. |
| 10 | BMW i7 | $5,480 | Luxury EV systems and high replacement value. |
What These Vehicles Tend to Have in Common
- High claim severity: When a loss happens, it’s expensive—either due to total-loss payouts or high repair bills.
- Specialized parts and labor: Brand-specific components, sensors, and calibrations can drive up estimates.
- Performance exposure: Faster vehicles can correlate with higher-severity accidents (and higher premium).
- Comprehensive exposure: Theft, vandalism, and glass claims can weigh heavily on certain models and locations.
How Safety and Theft Data Can Affect Your Premium
Insurers don’t just look at the sticker price. They also consider how a vehicle performs in real-world losses. For safety, you can review crash test information from NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings and IIHS vehicle ratings when comparing models and trims.
For theft, models that are frequently stolen can see higher comprehensive costs. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) publishes regular updates and theft trends, including frequently stolen vehicles and prevention tips.
Related: If you’re wondering how your policy responds, read whether auto insurance covers a stolen car.
Reference: NICB theft trend update (first half of 2025)
Coverage Checklist for High-Value Vehicles
If your vehicle is expensive, the goal is usually to avoid being underinsured—especially on liability and physical damage. Requirements vary by state, and lenders/lessors typically require collision and comprehensive while you have a loan or lease.
New York Minimum Requirements (If You Register in NY)
New York has specific minimum limits and mandatory coverages. Many owners of high-value vehicles choose higher limits to better protect assets and to match the real-world cost of today’s vehicles and medical care.
| Coverage | New York Minimum (Overview) | Why It Matters for Expensive Cars |
|---|---|---|
| Liability (BI/PD) | $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage (plus death limits per NY DMV) | Luxury vehicles can trigger large property-damage and injury claims quickly. |
| PIP (No-Fault) | $50,000 | Medical bills add up fast; higher options may be available. |
| Uninsured Motorist | Required (minimums align with BI requirements) | Protects you if hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. |
Official resources: NY DMV insurance requirements and NY DFS coverage FAQ
Practical Coverage Options to Review
| Coverage | What It Does | Why It’s Especially Relevant |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | Pays to repair/total your car after an at-fault crash. | Repairs on high-end models can be extremely expensive. |
| Comprehensive | Covers theft, vandalism, glass, fire, weather, and animal hits. | Higher theft/vandalism exposure can drive costs—and losses. |
| Higher Liability Limits | More protection if you injure someone or damage property. | High-severity claims can exceed state minimums quickly. |
| Gap Coverage | Helps if a totaled financed/leased car is worth less than what you owe. | Common for newer, expensive cars with rapid depreciation. |
| New Car Replacement / OEM Parts (If Offered) | Endorsements that can improve repair/replacement outcomes. | Helpful when parts availability or valuation is a concern. |
| Rental Reimbursement | Pays for a rental while your car is being repaired. | Luxury repairs can take longer due to parts and calibration. |
Quick tip: If you own an exotic, classic, or heavily modified vehicle, ask about specialty coverage (like agreed value) where available—standard policies may value vehicles differently than owners expect.
How to Lower the Cost of Insuring an Expensive Car
You can’t change the cost of parts or the price of the vehicle, but you can control how you shop, how you structure coverage, and how you manage risk.
- Compare multiple carriers: Pricing varies widely by company and model. Start with a short list of reputable carriers and compare the same coverages apples-to-apples (see this guide to comparing auto insurers).
- Adjust deductibles thoughtfully: Higher deductibles often reduce premiums, but make sure you could comfortably pay the deductible after a loss.
- Bundle and verify discounts: Multi-policy, pay-in-full, safe-driver, and usage-based/telematics discounts may apply (availability varies).
- Reduce theft exposure: Secure parking, anti-theft devices, and tracking can reduce risk—even if the discount varies by insurer.
- Re-shop at renewal: Premiums can change even if you don’t. A quick review once a year helps keep you competitive.
For more ways to cut your premium without cutting corners, review these tips to lower auto insurance costs.
When to Talk to an Agent
If you’re insuring a high-value vehicle, have a loan/lease, drive low mileage, or want higher limits (or specialty options), it can help to work with someone who can compare carriers and explain coverage tradeoffs. If you’d like help reviewing options, connect with an agent and ask about discounts, deductibles, and the right limits for your situation.
Note: Rates, discounts, and coverage availability vary by state, insurer, driver profile, and vehicle details. Always confirm coverages and limits on your declarations page.