The Most Expensive Vehicles to Insure
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What are the most expensive cars to insure?
Currently, the most expensive car to insure is the Maserati Quattroporte, which costs an average of $419 per month, 239% more than the national average for auto insurance. Auto insurance rates are important to consider when purchasing a new vehicle. You might be able to afford the monthly car payments, but car insurance premiums for a new luxury model or upscale sports car can cost thousands of dollars per year. Various factors such as age, driving record, credit score, and state-specific regulations can further increase your insurance bill.
For this article, The Zebra utilized its extensive database of car insurance rates to determine the top 10 most expensive cars to insure and identify carriers offering the best average rates. For historical data, refer to the most expensive cars to insure in 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Key takeaways:
- The Maserati Quattroporte is the most expensive car to insure, costing its drivers an average of $5,024 annually.
- When buying an expensive vehicle, it's important to factor in if you can afford the insurance rate hike in addition to monthly car payments and maintenance costs.
- To save money on car insurance for these expensive vehicles, consider buying an older model and be sure to compare quotes from multiple companies as some insurers will charge thousands more annually than others.Â
The Most Expensive Vehicles to Insure in 2021
| Rank | Vehicle | Average 6-Month Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maserati Quattroporte | $2,512 |
| 2 | Audi R8 | $2,284 |
| 3 | BMW i8 | $2,186 |
| 4 | Mercedes-AMG GT | $2,065 |
| 5 | Nissan GT-R | $2,032 |
| 6 | Maserati Ghibli | $2,009 |
| 7 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | $1,871 |
| 8 | Porsche 911 | $1,867 |
| 9 | Tesla Model S | $1,810 |
| 10 | BMW 7-Series | $1,761 |
The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
1. Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is a luxury sedan that typically costs over $2,500 per six-month policy period to insure, making this car the most expensive vehicle to purchase auto insurance for in 2021. In terms of price, the Quattroporte is the fifth most expensive car on our list with an MSRP of $102,190. In our survey of the cheapest insurance companies for this particular make and model, Auto-Owners had the most affordable rate at $895 for six months' coverage. Other fairly-priced insurers include Infinity ($1,058) and Nationwide ($1,115).
2. Audi R8
Costing an average of $2,284 per six-month insurance policy (or $381 a month), the Audi R8 is the second priciest car to insure and has an MSRP of over $142,000. To find the best deal on car insurance for this luxury sports car, consider Alliance, which costs $176 per month or $1,054 for a six-month policy. Nationwide ($1,330) and Erie ($1,538) could also be good options for Audi R8 insurance. It's worth noting that 32% of The Zebra's visitors buying R8 insurance opt for high liability limits of 100/300/50 and add comprehensive and collision coverage with better towing, rental car benefits, and higher med pay/PIP benefits to protect their luxury vehicle.
3. BMW i8
The second most expensive vehicle to buy on our list, the BMW i8 comes with the third most expensive auto insurance costs. The i8 is a sports car and a hybrid vehicle, and both of these factors make insurance pricey compared to sedans or SUVs. It costs an average of $364 per month to insure, but Nationwide could be the cheapest insurer at $203 per month or $1,219 per six-month policy. Other affordable companies include Farmers ($1,489) and Erie ($1,542).
The majority (29%) of The Zebra's customers buying i8 insurance upgrade 100/300/50 liability limits and add comprehensive and collision coverage. Additionally, they enhance their policy by adding better towing services, rental car benefits, and higher medical payment/personal injury protection benefits to provide comprehensive protection for their luxury vehicles.
4. Mercedes-AMG GT
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a luxury sports car and runs about $2,065 to insure every six months. At $1,007 per six-month policy, Nationwide could be the most budget-friendly car insurance company and potentially offer over $1,000 in savings. Farmers ($1,264) and Country Financial ($1,353) could also offer similar savings for this make and model.
The majority of The Zebra's customers who purchase insurance for their Mercedes-AMG GT opt for moderately high liability limits of 40/100/50, comprehensive and collision insurance, and towing and rental car benefits.
5. Nissan GT-R
Insurance costs are midrange for a vehicle that costs nearly $114,000 — the Nissan GT-R. With an average monthly cost of $334 per month or $2,032 per six-months' coverage, this high-performance sports car costs over $2,500 in extra premium yearly compared to the average rate in the U.S. The cheapest insurance providers for the Nissan GT-R were State Farm ($661), Nationwide ($1,083) and Erie ($1,318).
Around 33% The Zebra's customers who purchase Nissan GT-R insurance choose the "better" option which includes moderately high liability limits of 40/100/50 as well as comprehensive and collision insurance with towing and rental car benefits.
6. Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli costs $2,009 every six months to insure and has the second-lowest MSRP in our list at $72,190 — still over well the cost of an average vehicle. We found that Auto-Owners has the best-priced coverage at $895 per six-month policy, while Nationwide and Erie are slightly more expensive at $974 and $1,039, respectively.
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
With an average six-month rate of $1,871 (or $312 per month), the Mercedes S-Class is expensive to own — among all of the vehicles on our list, it commands the highest list price at over $173,000. To land the best deal on Mercedes S-Class auto insurance, consider starting your search with Auto-Owners. This company had the lowest rate at $910 per six-month policy. Other providers worth looking into are Nationwide ($1,014) and State Farm ($1,280).
Surprisingly, around 31% of our customers choose the minimum coverage legally required by the state. We recommend at least adding comprehensive and collision coverage and considering increased med pay/PIP benefits as well as GAP insurance depending upon your circumstances.
8. Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a high-performance sports car that costs nearly $100,000 to buy and runs an average of $1,867 for a six-month policy ($311 per month) to insure. Nationwide could furnish the most savings at $748 or $124 a month, while Auto-Owners ($859) and Travelers ($1,067) are the second and third cheapest insurers, respectively, for the Porsche 911.
40% of our customers insuring their Porsche 911s wisely choose high liability limits of 100/300/50 in addition to comprehensive and collision coverage, higher medical payment/personal injury protection benefits, and better towing and rental car benefits.
9. Tesla Model S
The all-electric Tesla Model S has the lowest-priced MSRP in our list and the ninth most expensive average insurance premium at $1,810 every six months. Nationwide, American Family and Erie proved to be the most wallet-friendly companies for the Model S; rates from these insurers range from $818-986 per six-month policy.
Roughly 41% of our customers driving a Model S choose high liability limits of 100/300/50 and include comprehensive and collision coverage. They also add better towing, rental car benefits, and higher medical payment/personal injury protection for their luxury vehicle.
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10. BMW 7-Series
The BMW 7-Series is a luxury sedan that costs $1,761 per six-month policy to insure, making it the tenth most expensive vehicle in terms of auto insurance expenses. American Family could potentially provide the most savings at $891 for six months or $149 per month. Nationwide doesn't cost all that much more ($946) while Mercury is more expensive ($1,256) but still lower than the overall average insurance cost of the 7-Series.
When buying insurance from The Zebra, around 30% of 7-Series drivers opt for minimum liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision insurance. Typically, The Zebra recommends increased liability limits and higher med pay/PIP benefits to luxury drivers to insure they are properly covered.
The most expensive vehicles to insure in 2020
1. BMW i8
The BMW i8 is the country's most expensive vehicle to insure. As a high-performance vehicle, the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $147,500, and its average annual insurance costs amount to $4,303. If you're seeking the cheapest car insurance rate for your BMW i8, start with Grange, which offers average insurance premiums of only $1,269 per year for the i8. According to our data, the priciest company with which to insure the i8 is Infinity.
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2. Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is one of the most expensive cars to insure. As a luxury vehicle, the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) is $99,490, in addition to an average annual insurance cost of $4,062. If you're looking for cheap auto insurance for your Maserati Quattroporte, consider Grange, offering average insurance costs of just $1,143 per year. According to The Zebra's data, the priciest company for Quattroporte insurance is Hanover.
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3. Nissan GT-R
Budget-minded insurance shoppers beware: the Nissan GT-R is America's third-most expensive vehicle to insure. Due to the model's high-end specs, the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $113,540, in addition to an average yearly insurance rate of $3,864. If you're seeking the cheapest auto insurance rate for your Nissan GT-R, consider Grange, which offers average annual insurance costs of only $1,262. According to The Zebra's data, the priciest company for GT-R insurance is Infinity.
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4. Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo is the nation's fourth-most expensive vehicle to insure. Due to the model's performance-oriented specs, its manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) is $150,380, in addition to an average annual insurance rate of $3,735. If you're looking to get the cheapest insurance rate for the Maserati GranTurismo, start with IMT, which offers average car insurance rates of only $471 per year. According to our data, the priciest insurance provider for GranTurismo insurance is Safeway.
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5. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Budget-focused buyers beware: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is America's fifth-most expensive vehicle to insure. As a luxury vehicle, the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) is $94,250, in addition to an average yearly insurance cost of $3,684. If you're trying to save on insurance for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, start with Grange, offering average insurance rates of only $991. According to our data, the most expensive insurance provider for Mercedes-Benz S-Class insurance is Infinity.
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6. Mercedes-AMG GT
The Mercedes-AMG GT is the country's sixth-most expensive vehicle to insure. As a luxury vehicle, the MSRP is $99,950, in addition to an average yearly insurance cost of $3,678. If you're trying to save on insurance for your Mercedes-AMG GT, consider Grange, which offers average insurance rates of only $1,098 per year. According to The Zebra's data, the priciest insurance provider for GT insurance is Infinity.
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7. BMW X6
The BMW X6 is the nation's seventh-most expensive vehicle to insure. As a high-end vehicle, the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $64,300, and its average annual insurance costs amount to $3,535. If you're seeking the cheapest car insurance rate for your BMW X6, start with Grange, offering average insurance rates of only $1,092 per year. According to insurance rate data from The Zebra, the most expensive company with which to insure the X6 is Infinity.
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8. Tesla Model X
Budget-minded insurance shoppers should look elsewhere, as the Tesla Model X is America's eighth-most expensive vehicle to insure. As a high-performance vehicle, the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $81,000‚ and its average annual insurance costs amount to $3,514. If you're seeking the cheapest insurance rate for the Tesla Model X, start by checking with Grange, offering average insurance rates of only $1,198 per year. According to our data, the most expensive company for Model X insurance is Safeway.
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9. BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is the country's ninth-most expensive vehicle to insure. This luxury vehicle's manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) is $86,450, in addition to an average annual insurance outlay of $3,492. If you're seeking the cheapest auto insurance rate for your BMW 7 Series, begin with Grange, which offers an average annual premium of just $1,023. Our data show the most expensive company with which to insure the 7 Series is Infinity.
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10. Porsche Panamera
The Porsche Panamera is the nation's 10th-most expensive vehicle to insure. As a luxury vehicle, the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) is $87,200, in addition to an average annual insurance cost of $3,386. If you're seeking the cheapest car insurance rate for the Porsche Panamera, start with Grange, providing average insurance rates of just $1,081. The Zebra's insurance rate data show the priciest company for Porsche Panamera insurance is Infinity.
| Rank | Vehicle | Average 6-Month Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW i8 | $2,152 |
| 2 | Maserati Quattroporte | $2,031 |
| 3 | Nissan GT-R | $1,932 |
| 4 | Maserati GranTurismo | $1,868 |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | $1,842 |
| 6 | Mercedes-AMG GT | $1,839 |
| 7 | BMW X6 | $1,768 |
| 8 | Tesla Model X | $1,757 |
| 9 | BMW 7 Series | $1,746 |
| 10 | Porsche Panamera | $1,693 |
The most expensive vehicles to insure in 2019
1. Audi R8
From 2017 to 2018, the average insurance cost for an Audi R8 increased by almost 150%. As a high-performance vehicle, the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $138,700. If you’re looking to get the cheapest insurance rate for an Audi R8, start with Nationwide, offering an average annual premium of only $965. Our data shows the most expensive company for Audi R8 insurance is GEICO, with average annual costs of $2,391.
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2. BMW i8
Data from our 2018 State of Auto Insurance shows the costliest company for insuring a BMW i8 is 21st Century, with an average annual premium of $4,265. Because it’s a luxury vehicle, the car insurance coverage cost will be 2.73% of the MSRP. Year-over-year, the average annual premium for a BMW i8 increased from $2,522 to $4,032, making this model one of the more expensive vehicles to insure.
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3. Dodge Viper
Shopping for car insurance for Dodge Viper can be a difficult process, primarily because it’s one of the most expensive cars to insure. As a luxury car, the annual car insurance premium is about 4.21% of this vehicle’s MSRP. In the past year, the average annual premium for a Dodge Viper went up significantly, to $3,921. So if you’re looking to save as much money as possible, consider shopping with Indiana Farmers Mutual, which covers the Viper for the cheapest rates. Try to avoid Auto Club Enterprises, the most expensive insurance company for the Dodge Viper.
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4. Nissan GT-R
From 2017 to 2018, the average annual premium for a Nissan GT-R increased by almost 42%. The GT-R's MSRP is $99,990. If you’re looking to get the most affordable insurance rates for a Nissan GT-R, start with Quincy Mutual, with average annual premiums of $1,163. The most expensive company for Nissan GT-R insurance is Allstate, with an average cost of $6,344.
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5. Porsche 911
Our 2019 State of Auto Insurance report shows the priciest company for Porsche 911 insurance is GEICO, offering average annual rates of $2,142 per year. The cost of insurance on a Porsche 911 is 3.69% of the MSRP. Year-over-year, the average annual premium for a Porsche 911 increased from $1,469 to $3,403, making this model one of the most expensive vehicles to insure.
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6. BMW X6
Shopping for cheap car insurance for BMW X6 can be a long process, primarily because it’s one of the most expensive cars to insure. The annual insurance premium on an X6 is about 5.31% of the MSRP. In the past year, the average annual premium for a BMW X6 increased by about 42%, from $2,389 to $3,395. So if you’re looking to save as much money as possible, consider shopping with Progressive, which offers relatively cheap insurance for the BMW X6. Try to avoid 21st Century, which offers expensive X6 auto insurance.
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7. Tesla Model S
From 2017 to 2018, the average annual premium for a Tesla Model S increased by almost 330%. If you’re looking to get the cheapest rate on your Tesla Model S, we suggest shopping with Progressive. Our data shows the most expensive company through which to insure a Tesla Model S is Allmerica.
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8. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Data from our 2018 State of Auto Insurance shows that the costliest company to insure your Mercedes-Benz G-Class with is Safeco, where your annual premium might be $4,551. For the G-Class, the average insurance coverage cost is 2.71% of the MSRP. Year-over-year, the average annual premium for a Mercedes-Benz G-Class increased from $1,319 to $3,379, making this model one of the more expensive vehicles to insure.
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9. Mercedes-AMG GT
Shopping for car insurance for a Mercedes-AMG GT can be a difficult process, primarily because it’s one of the most expensive cars to insure. As a high-performance car, the annual car insurance premium is about 2.95% of this vehicle’s MSRP. In the past year, the average annual premium for a Mercedes-AMG GT went up about 69%, from $1,985 to $3,350. So if you’re looking to save as much money as possible, consider Progressive, which insures the Mercedes-AMG GT at the lowest cost. Try to avoid Safeco, which provides the most expensive coverage.
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10. BMW 7-Series
From 2017 to 2018, the average annual premium for the BMW 7-Series increased by almost 193%. If you’re looking to get the cheapest rate on your BMW 7-Series, we suggest shopping with USAA, where the average annual premium is only $619 per year. Our data shows that the most expensive company through which to insure your BMW 7-Series is Nationwide, with annual premiums of $1,401 a year.
The most expensive vehicles to insure in 2018
1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Average annual premium: $2,173
- Type: Luxury midsize
- MSRP: $58,900
- Cheapest insurance company: GEICO
- Most expensive insurance company: Safeco
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2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Average annual premium: $1,934
- Type: Luxury sedan
- MSRP: $40,250
- Cheapest insurance company: GEICO
- Most expensive insurance company: Safeco
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3. BMW X5
- Average annual premium: $1,830
- Type: Luxury SUV
- MSRP: $57,200
- Cheapest insurance company: GEICO
- Most expensive insurance company: Amica
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4. BMW 3 Series
- Average annual premium: $1,762
- Type: Luxury midsize
- MSRP: $45,000
- Cheapest insurance company: USAA
- Most expensive insurance company: Farmers
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5. Audi Q5
- Average annual premium: $1,712
- Type: Luxury SUV
- MSRP: $41,500
- Cheapest insurance company: GEICO
- Most expensive insurance company: Allstate
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6. Lexus ES
- Average annual premium: $1,709
- Type: Luxury
- MSRP: $38,950
- Cheapest insurance company: Progressive
- Most expensive insurance company: ALFA
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7. Cadillac SRX
- Average annual premium: $1,699
- Type: Luxury midsize
- MSRP: $37,605
- Cheapest insurance company: GEICO
- Most expensive insurance company: Amica
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8. Lexus RX
- Average annual premium: $1,637
- Type: Luxury midsize
- MSRP: $43,470
- Cheapest insurance company: Progressive
- Most expensive insurance company: ALFA
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9. Acura MDX
- Average annual premium: $1,627
- Type: Luxury midsize
- MSRP: $44,330
- Cheapest insurance company: Geico
- Most expensive insurance company: ALFA
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10. Nissan LEAF
- Average annual premium: $1,608
- Type: 5-door hatchback
- MSRP: $29,990
- Cheapest insurance company: Plymouth Rock Insurance
- Most expensive insurance company: Allstate
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Find the most affordable policy by comparing quotes!
Does auto insurance get cheaper as cars age?
Though the costs may come down somewhat over time, higher-value cars tend to cost more to insure regardless of their age. This is due mostly to the high cost of parts which are often made of premium materials and made in lower quantities than those for mainstream vehicles. Additionally, proprietary technology and high-performance features often require more extensive training to work on leading to higher labor costs.
That being said, if you have your heart set on owning one of these premium vehicles, one of the easiest ways to save on car insurance is to spend less upfront. A used model often has both a lower purchase price and cost to insure. Below, compare rate depreciation for the top 10 most expensive vehicles to insure and decide if you're willing to sacrifice that new car smell for auto insurance savings:
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INSURANCE RATES — NEW vs. USED MODELS
| Rank | Most Expensive | New | 1 Year Rate | 5 Year Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW i8 | $ 4,302.76 | $ 3,892.71 | $ 3,525.25 |
| 2 | Maserati Quattroporte | $ 4,061.79 | $ 3,674.71 | $ 3,327.83 |
| 3 | Nissan GT-R | $ 3,864.30 | $ 3,496.03 | $ 3,166.02 |
| 4 | Maserati GranTurismo | $ 3,735.04 | $ 3,379.09 | $ 3,060.12 |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | $ 3,683.62 | $ 3,332.57 | $ 3,017.99 |
| 6 | Mercedes-AMG GT | $ 3,677.97 | $ 3,327.46 | $ 3,013.36 |
| 7 | BMW X6 | $ 3,534.87 | $ 3,198.00 | $ 2,896.12 |
| 8 | Tesla Model X | $ 3,514.05 | $ 3,179.16 | $ 2,879.06 |
| 9 | BMW 7-Series | $ 3,491.87 | $ 3,159.09 | $ 2,860.89 |
| 10 | Porsche Panamera | $ 3,385.88 | $ 3,063.21 | $ 2,774.05 |
Frequently Asked Questions
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
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- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.