Most Expensive Cars to Insure

When insurers begin the process of figuring a driver's premium level, they look at a number of factors including:

• The car's value, in terms of both repair and full replacement costs.
• The individual driver's record.
• The driver's age. (Younger drivers are considered high risk.)
• Stereotypical perceptions of the car in question. (Fast, high-performance cars carry higher premiums.)
• How popular the model is with car thieves.
• The car's form factor. (People who drive SUVs and minivans usually have families and are thus considered safer drivers.)

Currently, the most-expensive car on American roads in terms of insurance is the Nissan GT-R, with premiums averaging $2,533 a year. The car itself carries a sticker price of $80,790. (Motor Trend named the GT-R its car of the year in 2009.) With a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged, 24-valve V6, this one definitely falls into the "stereotypical" category. It's fast, and powerful, and thus considered to be an accident waiting to happen.

Not surprisingly, the next two cars on the list suffer from the same perception. If you drive a Dodge Viper, expect to pay $2,446 in premiums annually. The BMW M6 is just marginally cheaper at $2,236. High repair and replacement costs figure into the premium equation for all these vehicles.

Other high-priced models include:

- Ford Shelby GT500 - $2,186
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class - $2,088
- Audi S8 - $2,071
- BMW M5 - $2,020
- Hummer H2 - $1,912
- Lexus ISF - $1,881
- Porsche 911 - $1,819

If you drive one of these high-premium class models, get aggressive about seeking discounts for such things as:

- Your education or field of employment.
- Past or present service in the military.
- Holding multiple policies with one insurer.
- Making payments quarterly or annually.
- Onboard vehicle safety systems.
- Limiting the number of miles you drive.

Regardless of how many discounts you receive, however, any one of these cars will put you in a higher insurance bracket. In 2009, the average national cost of automotive insurance per year was $1,810 or about $150 a month. If that’s more than you can afford, you’ll need to seriously consider what you’re driving and potential switch to a model that’s cheaper to insure.