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


Key Takeaways
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State Farm offers the best affordable car insurance for SUVs, with rates starting at $35 monthly.

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SUV insurance costs range from $426 to $6,510 annually for most drivers, depending on age, SUV type and coverage level.

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SUVs are often cheaper to insure than sedans, especially compact or non-luxury models with strong safety ratings.

How Much Does SUV Car Insurance Cost?

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 by Make and Model

SUV insurance costs range from $73 to $90 per month for minimum coverage and from $154 to $296 per month for full coverage, depending on the make and model.

The Subaru Forester has the lowest minimum coverage rate at $73 per month. The BMW X7 is the most expensive to insure for full coverage at $296 per month. Luxury and larger SUVs tend to cost more because they have higher replacement values and repair costs. Compact crossovers with strong safety ratings usually cost less.

Acura MDX$81$174
Audi E Tron$81$243
Audi Q5$78$194
Audi Q7$81$209
BMW X3$80$190
BMW X5$82$227
BMW X7$90$296
Chevy Equinox$80$164
Chevy Tahoe$83$174
Dodge Journey$84$167
Ford Escape$80$159
Ford Expedition$81$180
Ford Explorer$82$168
Honda CR-V$78$154
Honda HR-V$80$166
Honda Passport$78$178
Honda Pilot$78$165
Hyundai Kona$78$182
Jeep Cherokee$87$177
Jeep Grand Cherokee$88$176
Jeep Patriot$88$159
Jeep Wrangler$83$158
Kia Niro$78$187
Kia Soul$80$165
Kia Soul EV$81$182
Mazda CX-5$77$163
Mercedes GLA 250$80$196
Nissan Juke$87$174
Nissan Pathfinder$85$176
Nissan Rogue$83$169
Subaru Forester$73$156
Toyota Highlander$81$163
Toyota RAV4$81$164
Volvo XC40$77$199
VW ID.4$78$204
VW Tiguan$79$163

The Jeep Wrangler costs $158 per month for full coverage, less than the Honda HR-V at $166, even though it's a larger vehicle. Body style doesn't always predict price. Safety ratings and repair costs matter more.

SUV Insurance Costs by Category

Compact SUVs are the cheapest SUV type to insure, with full coverage averaging $170 per month. Luxury SUVs are the most expensive at $220 per month for full coverage.

Minimum coverage rates are more consistent across categories, ranging from $80 to $83 per month. The biggest price differences appear with full coverage because higher-end SUVs cost more to repair or replace.

Luxury models have higher replacement values and specialized parts, which increases comprehensive and collision costs. Compact SUVs tend to cost less because they’re smaller, less expensive and often have strong safety ratings.

Compact SUV$80$961$170$2,034
Luxury Compact SUV$80$963$193$2,316
Luxury SUV$81$975$220$2,645
SUV$83$994$171$2,053

Cheapest SUV Car Insurance Companies

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$35$94
GEICO$39$99
Travelers$44$112
Nationwide$48$114
Progressive$51$127
Allstate$53$130
Farmers$55$138

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.

Cheapest SUVs to Insure by Make and Model

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.

Subaru Forester$44$94
Volvo XC40$46$119
Mazda CX-5$46$98
Audi Q5$46$115
Honda Pilot$47$100

How to Get Cheap Insurance for an SUV

Drivers can cut SUV insurance costs through smarter coverage choices and available discounts, without sacrificing needed protection.

  1. 1
    Compare quotes from multiple companies

    Insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars between providers. Use online tools or independent agents to compare at least three quotes before buying a policy.

  2. 2
    Raise your deductible

    Choosing a higher deductible, like $1,000 instead of $500, can reduce your monthly cost. Just make sure you can afford to pay that amount if you have an accident.

  3. 3
    Bundle your policies

    Many insurers offer discounts if you bundle auto and home or renters insurance. This can save you up to 25% on your SUV policy.

  4. 4
    Drive safely and avoid claims

    A clean driving record with no accidents or tickets over the last few years helps lower your premium. Some insurers also give discounts after just one claim-free year.

  5. 5
    Look for discounts based on your SUV’s features

    SUVs with anti-lock brakes, airbags and anti-theft devices can qualify for safety or anti-theft discounts.

  6. 6
    Ask about usage-based or low-mileage programs

    If you don’t drive often, some insurers offer savings for putting fewer miles on your SUV. Others offer telematics programs that reward safe habits like smooth braking and slow acceleration.

  7. 7
    Take a defensive driving course

    Some companies offer small discounts if you complete an approved course, which is especially helpful for teen or senior drivers.

Additional SUV Car Insurance Coverage

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.

Coverage
Description

Collision coverage

Pays for damage to your SUV if you hit another car or object. This is helpful for larger SUVs that may cost more to repair after an accident.

Comprehensive coverage

Covers non-crash events like theft, fire, flooding, falling trees or animal damage, common risks for SUVs parked outdoors or used in rural areas.

Gap insurance

If your SUV is leased or financed, gap coverage helps pay the difference between what you owe and what the SUV is worth if it gets totaled. This is especially useful for newer or luxury SUV models that depreciate quickly.

Roadside assistance

Larger SUVs can be harder and more expensive to tow. Roadside coverage gives you access to towing, flat tire help and battery jump-starts if your vehicle breaks down.

Rental reimbursement

SUVs are often the primary family or utility vehicle. If yours is in the shop after a covered event, this coverage pays for a rental car, so you’re not left without transportation.

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

What Coverages Should You Get?

Minimum coverage car insurance only pays for damage you cause to other people. It won't pay to fix or replace your own SUV if something goes wrong.

If your bank or leasing company requires full coverage, you're already paying for the basics (liability, comprehensive, and collision). The extra coverages you need depend on how you use your SUV. For example, a family that relies on one SUV every day needs different add-ons than someone who takes their truck off-road on weekends, or someone making payments on a brand-new luxury model.

The table below shows which coverages matter most for your situation. If a coverage shows "Situational," it's worth getting if your SUV is newer or you still owe money on it. If it shows "Rarely needed," you can probably skip it and save the money.

Image showing a decision matrix for SUV additional coverages.

Auto Insurance for SUVs: Bottom Line

SUV insurance costs vary based on age, model and coverage. Compact SUVs and non-luxury models usually offer the best value. In this article, we discussed the best rates, coverages and policies so you can find the right policy that fits your budget and lifestyle.

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.

SUV Insurance: FAQ

These expert answers cover common questions about SUV car insurance.

Is car insurance for an SUV more expensive than a sedan?

Which SUV is the cheapest to insure?

What affects the cost of SUV insurance?

Does SUV size affect insurance cost?

Is it worth getting full coverage on an older SUV?

Best Car Insurance for SUVs: Our Rating Methodology

To find the best car insurance for SUVs, we built a weighted scoring system that balances price with service quality and financial strength. Insurance isn’t just about the lowest premium. It’s about how well a company handles claims, how stable it is and what coverage options it offers.

We reviewed 80,676 quotes from seven companies using a standard driver profile (male, 40 years old, single, clean record) while adjusting for age, location and driving history.

Car Insurance for SUVs: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick, Licensed P&C Insurance Expert, MoneyGeek

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). His career began in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.