Car Insurance for SUVs: How Much Does It Cost? (2026)

SUV car insurance costs an average of $2,175 per year for full coverage and $974 per year for minimum coverage.

Your rate depends on more than just the vehicle type. Insurers look at the SUV’s value, repair costs and safety features, along with your age, driving record and location. A luxury SUV will cost more to insure than a compact crossover, while strong crash-test ratings and advanced safety systems can help lower premiums.

Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive and collision coverage. Minimum coverage meets your state’s legal requirements but won’t pay to repair your SUV after most accidents you cause. 

Per month, drivers with full-coverage car insurance for SUVs pay an average of $181. Minimum coverage averages $81. That's a $100 monthly gap. For a newer or higher-value SUV, full coverage makes sense. A total loss or major repair would cost far more than the extra premium. For an older SUV worth less than a few years of that cost difference, minimum coverage is the better choice.

MoneyGeek analyzed 80,676 quotes from major companies to calculate these averages. Rates reflect a standard driver profile and adjust for age, location and driving history.

SUV insurance costs $73 to $90 a month for minimum coverage. Full coverage runs $154 to $296 a month, and the rate depends on the model. The Subaru Forester has the lowest minimum coverage rate at $73 a month. Full coverage costs the most for the BMW X7, which tops out at $296 a month. Premiums climb for bigger, pricier SUVs, largely because of higher replacement value. Repair costs add to that. Insurers charge less for compact crossovers with high safety ratings.

The Jeep Wrangler costs $158 a month for full coverage. The Honda HR-V, a smaller vehicle, costs $166. Body style doesn't always predict price. Safety ratings and repair costs affect price more than size does.

Compact SUVs cost the least to insure, at $170 a month for full coverage. Luxury SUVs sit at the top of the range: $220 a month for the same coverage level. Minimum coverage rates stay more consistent across categories, from $80 to $83 a month. Higher-end SUVs cost more to repair or replace, so the biggest price differences show up in full coverage. 

Luxury models carry higher replacement values and specialized parts. Those parts raise comprehensive and collision costs. Compact SUVs are smaller and cost less to begin with. Many also score well for safety.

State Farm and GEICO offer the cheapest car insurance for SUV drivers overall. Drivers between the ages of 35 and 45 usually see the lowest rates. Among SUV models, the Subaru Forester is the most affordable to insure.

State Farm and GEICO offer some of the lowest SUV premiums, partly due to rate competition and national reach. Drivers in their late 30s and early 40s pay less than younger or older age groups because insurers rate them as lower risk. The Subaru Forester earns lower premiums than most SUVs, backed by top safety ratings and below-average repair costs.

State Farm's full coverage rate of $94 per month is $33 less than Progressive's and $36 less than Allstate's. The company you choose can change your annual cost by several hundred dollars.

The Subaru Forester is the cheapest SUV to insure, with rates from $44 to $94/month ($525 to $1,129 annually) for minimum or full coverage. The Volvo XC40 sits at the other end, costing $46 to $119/month ($548 to $1,423 annually) for the same coverage levels.

State minimum coverage only pays for damage to other people and their property. It doesn’t protect your SUV. If you want more protection, especially for a higher-value or newer SUV, consider adding these coverages.

These options raise your premium but provide more protection for new or customized SUVs, or SUVs used beyond daily commuting.

Minimum coverage car insurance pays only for damage you cause to other people. It doesn't cover repairs or replacement for your own SUV.

If your bank or leasing company requires full coverage, you're already covered for the basics: liability, comprehensive and collision. Beyond that, the add-ons you need depend on how you use your SUV. A family that drives one SUV daily has different needs than someone who takes an SUV off-road on weekends. Someone making payments on a new luxury model has different needs still.

The table above shows which coverages fit your situation. A coverage marked "Situational" is worth adding if your SUV is newer or you still owe money on it. A coverage marked "Rarely needed" can usually be skipped to save money.

SUV insurance costs vary based on age, model and coverage. Compact SUVs and non-luxury models usually offer the best value.

SUVs cost less to insure than sedans. Full coverage car insurance for a sedan averages $2,618 per year. For an SUV, it's $2,175. That's $443 less per year.

State Farm and GEICO are the two cheapest companies in MoneyGeek's analysis for both minimum and full coverage. If neither works for you, Travelers is next at $112 per month for full coverage. Get quotes from at least two of these three before you buy.

These expert answers cover common questions about SUV car insurance.

Our weighted scoring system for SUV insurance balances price against service quality and financial strength. Premium alone doesn't tell you which insurer to trust. Claims handling, financial stability and coverage options all factor into the score.