Most Expensive Cars to Insure in America

One of the unavoidable costs of car ownership is insurance. Well, you can avoid it, but you’re risking an expensive ticket and maybe some even more expensive repairs. Just how much you shell out to carry insurance depends on a few factors. One of the bigger ones is what car you choose to drive.

Car insurance rates have been on the rise lately. Blame it on the spike in accidents, pricey on-board safety equipment, or some Illuminati scheme. Thanks to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we know what the 25 most expensive cars are to insure in America. You may be surprised at some of the vehicles that have made this prestigious list.

25. Kia Forte

2019 Kia Forte (Credit: Kia)

Annual Average Insurance: $1,155.82

You probably weren’t expecting a Kia to be on this list. After all, they’re relatively cheap, economical to own, and aren’t horribly expensive to fix. While it’s not a sports car or a luxury sedan, the Forte will cost almost the same for insurance as some much more expensive vehicles.

24. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Credit: Daimler )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,157.34

Mercedes sells the C-Class like hotcakes, and people love pretty much everything about them. You do have to wonder if they know their buddy with a 3 Series is paying less for insurance. And if they know that, how would they feel?

23. Nissan Versa

2018 Nissan Versa (Credit: Nissan )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,157.59

Nissan pushes the Versa as a sensible option for sensible people. You can fit tall adults in the rear seats, and the thing is a steal at $12,310 base MSRP. There’s always a catch, and with this it’s a higher average insurance cost versus competitors.

22. Nissan Sentra

2017 Nissan Sentra SR Midnight Edition (1) (Credit: © Nissan )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,165.05

Oh, the Sentra. It’s the safe, peanut-butter-and-jelly choice for a car. There’s nothing about the Sentra that will get your heart pumping, except maybe when you get the insurance bill. Everyone has their own version of excitement.

21. Lexus IS 350

2016 Lexus IS 350 (Credit: Lexus )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,167.11

The more powerful version of the IS, many choose it for the sporty good fun drivers enjoy, plus rock-solid reliability. Some of that money you save on expensive repairs will be diverted to your insurance carrier, but maybe you’re okay with that?

20. Audi A4

Audi A4 (Credit: Silvercar )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,169.13

This longtime favorite of people who enjoy sharp looks and sharp handling has its negatives. One of them is the steep insurance costs, which will put a crimp on your checking account. You need to weigh if it’s worth it, or maybe go with the A3 instead.

19. Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Annual Average Insurance: $1,173.05

Driving a Land Rover is like a membership card to some of the more exclusive clubs in certain suburban areas. The Ranger Rover Sport isn’t exactly known for being cheap to fix, and you can expect the same when it comes to insurance — but at least you’ll look good.

18. Infiniti Q50

2018 Infiniti Q50 (Credit: Infiniti )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,182.32

Snagging Infiniti’s cheapest and smallest sedan also means enjoying the biggest insurance bill out of the brand’s lineup. Surely the 300-horsepower turbo 3.0-liter engine and the 400-horsepower Red Sport have something to do with this.

17. Dodge Dart

2016 Dodge Dart (Credit: Dodge )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,187.55

The Dart may be dead, but this little compact is still very much on American roads, transporting people to and from work. While it promises cheap fun and low running costs, the one catch is a higher-than-average insurance rate.

16. Kia Rio

2018 Kia Rio (Credit: Kia)

Annual Average Insurance: $1,191.26

The little Rio goes for a mere $13,900 base MSRP, but this subcompact comes with some extra baggage. Hopefully you have a clean driving record to help bite those insurance costs down. If not, at least your car payments are small.

15. Nissan Maxima

2018 Nissan Maxima (Credit: Nissan )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,237.68

Nissan’s flagship sedan has been called a four-door sports car in the past. You could successfully argue that the current generation doesn’t live up to that name, but insurance companies seem to think you’re an extra risk if you drive one.

14. Scion tC

2015 Scion tC (Credit: Toyota )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,237.74

It’s kind of the spiritual successor to the Toyota Celica, a car that attracted young drivers who don’t know how to actually pay attention while behind the wheel. That seems to be the case with the tC as well, translating into steeper insurance rates.

13. Chrysler 200

2017 Chrysler 200C (Credit: Chrysler )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,261.87

A favorite choice for car rental fleets, the Chrysler 200 has a nice design aesthetic. It’s also not half-bad to drive everyday, compared to other bland commuters. But, you’ll pay more to insure it than the guy with a Camry or Mazda6.

12. Scion iA

2016 Scion iA (Credit: Toyota )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,274.51

Now called the Toyota Yaris iA, this little subcompact is usually a top choice for people who want to save some coin on their transportation costs. It absolutely sips fuel, doesn’t take much maintenance, and will run forever. On the flip side, the iA will also cost you extra to insure. Life isn’t fair.

11. Ford Mustang

2016 Ford Mustang GT (Credit: Ford)

Annual Average Insurance: $1,291.53

It’d be too easy to insert a joke about Mustangs crashing into crowds, but the fact the pony car ranks so high on this list makes you wonder if there’s some truth to the jokes. Up until the S550, virtually all Mustangs had a solid rear axle, making them more difficult to control, especially at wide open throttle.

10. Lexus GS 350

2018 Lexus GS 350 (Credit: Lexus )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,295.44

This is the forgotten Lexus sedan for quite a few people, but insurance companies sure haven’t forgotten about it. It’s a sportier choice than the ES and LS, but sportiness can lead to more incidents on the road, and your insurance is wise to that.

9. BMW 4 Series

2018 BMW 4 Series

Annual Average Insurance: $1,306.51

Some say the 3 Series and the 4 Series, which back in the day was the 3 Series as well, have gained quite a bit of weight. Actually, it’s a verifiable fact that both have porked way up and increased in size. While the car has grown, your wallet will feel lighter after forking out for insurance. But hey, you get to drive a Bimmer and impress your friends.

8. Audi A7

2018 Audi A7 (Credit: Audi )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,322.51

There’s no denying the sleek, athletic image of the A7. It’s one of Audi’s coolest cars, but you’ll see a little less in your bank account if you get one. While the financing surely isn’t cheap, insuring it only adds to the vehicle cost. We won’t even talk about repairs right now.

7. Dodge Challenger

2018 Dodge Challenger GT (Credit: Dodge )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,335.79

Another muscle car on the list! It’s not hard to imagine why a rear-wheel-drive, high-powered vehicle that appeals to younger drivers who often seem to have something to prove might be so high on this list. Just remember to keep the crazy antics to the track, where you’ll have to buy extra insurance, upping your cost even more.

6. Kia Optima

2018 Kia Optima (Credit: Kia )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,355.13

Yes, another Kia! Maybe people are hot-rodding around in their Optimas. Or, perhaps Kia has lined the frame with artisan gold lettering? Something about certain Kias, including the Optima, make them really expensive insure.

5. Dodge Charger

2018 Dodge Charger (Credit: Dodge )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,385.61

Driving a four-door American muscle car can come with its advantages, like people thinking you’re a cop and letting you pass on the freeway. The Charger is also a lot of fun, especially with one of the potent V-8s. Alas, all that power also means you’re an insurance risk.

4. Scion FR-S

Scion FR-S Release Series 1 (Credit: Toyota )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,403.67

Such balance, such good looks, such empty pockets you have when Allstate makes its withdraw from your bank account. Sure, the FR-S is a blast to drive, especially on winding backroads, but having to shell out this much for insurance surely isn’t.

3. Mitsubishi Lancer

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Limited Edition (Credit: © Mitsubishi)

Annual Average Insurance: $1,458.48

The lowly, affordable Lancer lands in the third spot. Surprised? You’re not the only one. Apparently, to have a rally-inspired commuter car, you’ll need to find every insurance discount possible. IIHS doesn’t specify if the Evolution is included in this grouping, but we’ll just assume it is, because that would actually make more sense.

2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Credit: Daimler )

Annual Average Insurance: $1,540.63

It’s like a five-star hotel on wheels with all the latest features nobody knew they wanted until Mercedes-Benz told them they did. The S-Class is opulence in car form, making repairs quite costly. Of course, most S-Class owners probably don’t care too much about paying extra for insurance, because the sedan is an object of conspicuous consumption anyway.

1. Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S (Credit: Tesla)

Annual Average Insurance: $1,789.48

Call it the price of saving the planet or the bleeding edge of technology, but being a Model S owner comes with its fair share of financial burdens. It’s honestly a surprise the Model X didn’t land on this list. Just consider for a moment that this electric sedan starts at $74,500 and is packed with sophisticated sensors that can be crunched in a crash, and it’s not hard to realize why it’s the most expensive car to insure in America.