You budget for gas. You budget for payments. You maybe even budget for maintenance.
Then you get the insurance quote. And your eyes pop.
I thought I was alone. Then I started asking around.
"My payment went down. My insurance went up."
Car: 2023 Honda CR-V (replaced a 2015 sedan)
Old insurance: $980/year
New insurance: $1,840/year
"I expected maybe a $300 increase. Almost $900? For a Honda? The agent said 'newer SUVs are stolen more and cost more to repair.' I didn't believe her until I checked three other companies. Same story.""The Telluride almost doubled my premium."
Car: 2022 Kia Telluride (replaced a 2018 sedan)
Old insurance: $1,100/year
New insurance: $2,050/year
"No tickets. No accidents. Good credit. The agent literally said 'the Telluride is expensive to fix right now.' Parts shortages. Long repair times. Rental car coverage adds up. I still bought it. But I wish someone had warned me.""I downgraded from an Audi to a Toyota. Insurance went up."
Car: 2024 Toyota Highlander (replaced a 2019 Audi Q5)
Old insurance: $1,450/year
New insurance: $1,680/year
"I thought a mainstream brand would be cheaper to insure. Wrong. The Audi had better safety ratings and a lower theft rate. The Highlander is more common and gets into more accidents. Insurance is about statistics, not luxury.""The roof glass on the EV killed me."
Car: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Old insurance (2018 Forester): $1,050/year
New insurance: $2,300/year
"The agent explained: the glass roof cracks easily, replacement is $4,000+, and body shops are backed up for months. Plus EVs are written off more often after minor damage because repair costs exceed value. I love the car. But the insurance hurts every six months."
Why newer SUVs are so expensive to insure
Insurers won't tell you this directly, but here's what's happening:
Factor | Why it raises your rate |
Repair costs | New sensors, cameras, and bumpers mean a fender bender that cost 1,500 in 2018 now costs1,500in2018nowcosts4,500 |
Theft rates | Certain Hyundais and Kias (even newer ones) are still tagged with higher theft risk |
Parts shortages | Post-COVID supply chain means longer rentals while waiting for parts |
Safety tech calibration | A cracked windshield now needs camera recalibration – adds $300–500 to every glass claim |
Bigger vehicles, bigger damage | SUVs cause more damage to other cars, so liability is higher |
What you can actually do
Check insurance before you buy. Get VINs for 2–3 cars you're considering and run quotes.
Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 can drop your premium 10–15%.
Ask about new car replacement gap. Some insurers offer it cheap. Others charge a lot.
Bundle with home/renters. Usually saves 10–20%.
Avoid certain models. Call your agent and ask: "Which SUVs are cheapest to insure right now?" They know the list.
The cheapest SUVs to insure (based on recent data)
Subaru Outback
Honda CR-V (non-hybrid, lower trims)
Ford Escape (base engine)
Mazda CX-5 (non-turbo)
The most expensive (relative to price)
Kia Telluride
Hyundai Palisade
Toyota Highlander (especially Hybrid)
Any EV with a glass roof
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