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Car insurance for SUVs
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The average cost of car insurance is $1,674 per year for full coverage, but the price you pay for your auto insurance policy may differ based on a variety of factors, including the type of vehicle you drive. SUVs are a popular type of vehicle, and in general, rates for many SUV models come with lower average auto insurance rates when compared to the national average. The lower cost could be due to increased safety features often included in these vehicles.
The Jeep Wrangler has the lowest average premium of the vehicles we analyzed, with an average annual full coverage rate of $1,358. Even the Nissan Rogue, which has the most expensive full coverage premium on our list, at $1,560 per year, comes in over $100 cheaper than the national average cost of car insurance. To help you find the right coverage for your SUV, Bankrate reviewed average prices per model and looked at average rates for some of the best car insurance companies.
Models included in this review:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Ford Escape
- Ford Explorer
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Jeep Wrangler
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota RAV4
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
How much does it cost to insure an SUV
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,674 a year for full coverage. While SUV car insurance can fall within this range, premiums could also be higher or lower, depending upon the make and model of your SUV and what auto insurance company you choose.
Your vehicle type, the size of the vehicle, the cost to repair it and the safety features are some of the rating factors for auto insurance companies to help determine premiums.
- Crash rate stats per make/model: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings are not only a great way to shop for safe vehicles, but a high safety rating on your SUV could also earn you savings on your annual premium.
- Price of parts: Luxury car insurance will usually cost more than insurance for a lower-priced vehicle because of the difference in repair costs. This causes insurers to increase rates to cover these increased repair expenses.
- Safety features: SUVs with advanced safety features and those that are statistically less likely to get into an accident may be cheaper to insure than models that have had high instances of theft and claims in the recent past. If your SUV includes features like blind-spot detection, surround-view or rear cross-traffic alert, you might save money.
SUVs may include several specific features that impact the cost of your auto insurance, and these features will vary by make and model. Insurance companies also generally offer several car insurance discounts to help you save money on your premium.
Car insurance for an SUV
The true cost of your auto insurance depends on several individual factors, which may include where you live, your age, your driver record and your credit-based insurance score. The average costs for SUV insurance featured here are based on the most current data available from Quadrant Information Services. Keep in mind that different states have different insurance laws, and some states may ban the use of your age, gender, credit tier when rating insurance policies. In some states, ZIP codes are also a banned rating factor.
Car insurance for SUVs by make and model
The make and model of your SUV is a major factor that impacts pricing for your car insurance. The type of coverage and level of coverage you choose can also make a difference, with minimum coverage policies typically costing less than full coverage policies.
The following table indicates the average cost of insuring several popular SUV models. The Jeep Wrangler, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester are among the cheapest makes and models for full coverage auto insurance for SUVs.
| Model car insurance | Average annual full coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | $1,467 | $495 |
| Ford Escape | $1,430 | $495 |
| Ford Explorer | $1,536 | $492 |
| Honda CR-V | $1,369 | $487 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $1,531 | $516 |
| Jeep Wrangler | $1,358 | $517 |
| Nissan Rogue | $1,560 | $507 |
| Subaru Forester | $1,419 | $459 |
| Toyota Highlander | $1,511 | $498 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $1,510 | $501 |
Cheapest car insurance companies for SUVs
Just because an SUV is popular does not mean it is the cheapest to insure. The SUV and car insurance carrier you choose could significantly impact how much you pay for car insurance.
The following table indicates the cost of insuring various SUV makes and models with five of the biggest car insurance companies by market share in the U.S. Several of these carriers are among the cheapest car insurance companies overall. The best way to find cheap car insurance for your needs, though, is to shop around and compare car insurance quotes.
Average annual premium for full coverage by model
| Car insurance company | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Explorer | Honda CR-V | Jeep Wrangler | Nissan Rogue | Subaru Forester | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amica | $1,199 | $1,247 | $1,098 | $915 | $1,233 | $1,116 | $1,185 |
| Erie | $1,306 | $1,134 | $1,134 | $1,124 | $1,199 | $1,178 | $1,229 |
| Geico | $1,217 | $1,304 | $1,033 | $1,125 | $1,182 | $1,072 | $1,028 |
| State Farm | $1,264 | $1,371 | $1,229 | $1,283 | $1,359 | $1,266 | $1,358 |
| USAA | $1,061 | $1,180 | $1,054 | $1,094 | $1,114 | $1,094 | $1,100 |
Other car insurance coverage for an SUV
SUV insurance may not always have the lowest cost when compared to other cheap cars to insure, even though average costs tend to be lower than the national average premiums. However, it’s important to have the right coverage to help protect your finances against expensive SUV damage.
The standard auto insurance policy typically includes liability coverage to protect your finances from damages and injuries you cause to others. Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are also standard optional offerings that are designed to protect against damage to your vehicle caused by crashes, vandalism, theft and weather damage. Some states also require drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in case of accidents with drivers who have no insurance or don’t have enough coverage to pay for your damages.
Many insurance companies offer drivers the option of additional coverage. This may include rental reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for expenses of renting a vehicle while your car is in repair from a covered claim. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, towing and labor can help offer peace of mind. Some drivers may also want to consider special protections like new car replacement insurance and customized equipment to help replace or repair customized parts. Gap insurance could come in handy when you lease or finance a new vehicle by covering the difference between the depreciated value and the financed amount if totaled in a covered accident. Discuss your situation with an insurance agent to decide which coverage options suit your needs best.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 SUV of the following types, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
SUV models:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Ford Escape
- Ford Explorer
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Jeep Wrangler
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota RAV4
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.