How Does the Car I Drive Impact My Insurance Premium?

What Are the Make and Model of a Car?

The make and model of your car can directly affect your auto insurance rates.

The make of a car refers to the company or manufacturer that produces a vehicle. Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and Hyundai are some examples of companies that make cars. These manufacturers create different versions of their vehicles that are called models.

The model is a specific name or product line of cars that a company makes. Take the Toyota Camry, for example. Toyota is the make, and Camry is the model. Other examples of car models include the Ford F-150, Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra.

How Do Make and Model Impact Car Insurance?

Both the vehicle's make and model can affect your car insurance premiums for better or for worse, depending on which car you own. That's because insurers consider different aspects of your car when setting rates. Each make and model is designed for a specific purpose, comes with its own price tag and offers different safety features. Insurers price accordingly based on this information and how often the make or model is involved in insurance claims.

Safe, moderately priced vehicles designed for everyday use are generally cheaper to insure. A car that's expensive, has poor safety ratings or is geared toward off-roading, for example, will come with higher insurance costs.

Here are some other vehicle-related factors insurers consider when calculating your rate:

• Vehicle age: Older vehicles are generally worth less than newer vehicles. And because it costs less to replace a totaled 10-year-old car versus a 2-year-old car, insurance on an older car is typically cheaper.
• Vehicle size: Larger vehicles often come with higher price tags, which correlates with higher premiums. However, smaller cars tend to get stolen more often and are statistically more likely to get in an accident, so a larger vehicle might ultimately be cheaper to insure.
• Engine size: If you have a car with more horsepower, you may be more likely to speed or engage in other risky driving maneuvers, which could mean potentially higher premiums.
• Cost of repairs: If your car has expensive specialized features, it can be more expensive to repair and, therefore, command higher insurance premiums. Also, German makes, such as Volkswagens, BMWs and Audis, tend to be more expensive to repair than others due to the higher cost of repair parts.
• Safety features: Vehicles with higher safety ratings are often cheaper to insure because they have fewer and less expensive claims associated with them. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both publish vehicle safety data you can review.
• Likelihood of theft: Some makes and models are more likely to be stolen than others. Check out the National Insurance Crime Bureau's latest Hot Wheels report to see whether yours is on the list of the most frequently stolen vehicles. If it is, it could mean a higher premium.

Learn more: Factors That Affect your Car Insurance Rates

What Are the Most Expensive Cars to Insure?

Far and away, luxury and upscale sports cars are the most expensive to insure, primarily due to their high value. According to The Zebra, an insurance comparison website, the most expensive vehicles to insure in 2025 are:

1. Maserati Quattroporte
2. Audi R8
3. BMW i8
4. Mercedes-AMG GT
5. Nissan GT-R
6. Maserati Ghibli
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8. Porsche 911
9. Tesla Model S
10. BMW 7-Series

What Are the Least Expensive Cars to Insure?

Older cars and models with high safety ratings and lower price tags tend to be the least expensive to insure. According to The Zebra, the cheapest insurance rates in 2025 are reserved for the following makes and models:

1. Fiat 500X
2. Ford Transit Connect
3. Jeep Compass
4. Ford Escape
5. Subaru Outback
6. GMC Canyon
7. Honda CR-V
8. Subaru Forester
9. Mazda CX-3
10. Subaru Crosstrek

How to Get a Car Insurance Quote

Getting multiple quotes helps you compare providers and find the cheapest car insurance. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a car insurance comparison tool like Experian's insurance marketplace, which lets you compare quotes from many insurers at once.

If you want to go directly through insurers, many companies let you start the quote process online, though you may be directed to call one of their agents.

No matter which route you choose, you will need to have some information ready to get accurate quotes, including your driver's license number, contact information and your full name. You will also be asked specific details about your vehicle, including:

• Your car's make, model and year
• Your VIN
• Your car's current mileage

Have this information handy to make the process go smoothly.

Learn more: How to Get the Best Car Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Your vehicle's make and model could impact your car insurance rates. Factors like the car's price tag, safety features and how often it's involved in insurance claims can influence what you pay.

But because each insurance company uses a different algorithm to determine premiums, you could find cheaper rates by shopping around. Gather car insurance quotes from several insurers and compare offers to ensure you're getting the best deal.