May 15, 2025
Surprising states where insuring a sports car costs less than your family SUV.
Sports cars have long carried the stigma of being expensive to insure, and often rightfully so—high performance comes with high risk in the eyes of insurance companies. But in 2025, new data from across all 50 states reveals that insuring a sports car may be more affordable than expected, depending on your ZIP code.
From rural regions with minimal traffic to states with insurance-friendly laws, premiums for sports car coverage vary dramatically. For enthusiasts, collectors, or first-time buyers, understanding where you’ll pay the least can result in thousands of dollars in savings over time.
Top 10 States With the Lowest Sports Car Insurance Rates in 2025
Not all states penalize performance the same way. In fact, several offer impressively low average premiums for high-powered vehicles. Here’s a breakdown of the most cost-effective states for sports car insurance in 2025:
| State | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Maine | $876 |
| Vermont | $1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $1,182 |
| Ohio | $1,200 |
| Wisconsin | $1,249 |
| Indiana | $1,242 |
| Iowa | $1,254 |
| Virginia | $1,340 |
| Massachusetts | $1,296 |
| North Carolina | $1,392 |
These states consistently rank low due to a combination of low population density, favorable driving conditions, minimal vehicle theft, and insurance regulations that discourage predatory premium hikes.
What Defines a Sports Car for Insurance Purposes?
Insurers often define sports cars based on performance metrics such as horsepower, acceleration, body style, and market positioning. Examples of sports cars falling into this category in 2025 include:
-
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata – MSRP from $29,300
-
2025 Subaru BRZ – MSRP from $31,195
-
2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost – MSRP from $30,920
-
2025 Toyota GR86 – MSRP from $30,700
-
2025 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 – MSRP from $39,500
These vehicles may have lower MSRPs, but insurance pricing can fluctuate wildly by region. Fortunately, owners in the states listed above can insure these models for significantly less than the national average, which hovers near $1,875/year for sports cars.
Why These States Are Cheaper for Sports Car Insurance
Several factors consistently influence lower insurance rates for sports cars:
-
Low accident rates: Fewer claims in a region reduce overall risk for insurers.
-
Fewer uninsured drivers: States with mandatory insurance enforcement policies drive down premiums.
-
Minimal urban congestion: Rural roads see fewer incidents, leading to lower comprehensive and collision claims.
-
Consumer-friendly laws: States like Maine and Vermont prohibit the use of certain risk multipliers in rate calculations.
What Sports Car Owners Should Look For
If you’re shopping for a performance vehicle and want to keep long-term costs down, prioritize not only the vehicle’s base price but also:
-
Insurance class: Confirm how the insurer categorizes your vehicle.
-
Repair costs: Some sports cars like the MX-5 or GR86 have lower parts and labor costs than high-end imports.
-
Claim frequency: Models with lower theft or crash data will receive better rates.
-
Driver profile discounts: Clean driving history, bundling policies, and anti-theft features can yield sizable savings.
Hidden Gems: Low-Cost Sports Cars with Low Insurance
Not all high-performance cars come with outrageous premiums. Here are several budget-friendly sports cars that are both affordable to buy and insure (based on data from the cheapest states):
| Model | Starting MSRP | Estimated Insurance in Low-Cost States |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $29,300 | $870–$1,050/year |
| Toyota GR86 | $30,700 | $920–$1,120/year |
| Subaru BRZ | $31,195 | $930–$1,200/year |
| Hyundai Elantra N | $33,250 | $1,000–$1,300/year |
| Ford Mustang EcoBoost | $30,920 | $980–$1,240/year |
These vehicles maintain the core characteristics of a sports car—agility, acceleration, rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive options—while avoiding the insurance penalties tied to high horsepower exotics.
Where You Live Can Save or Cost You Thousands
Compare owning a 2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost in two very different states:
-
Maine: $30,920 (vehicle) + $880 (insurance) = $31,800/year
-
Michigan: $30,920 (vehicle) + $2,320 (insurance) = $33,240/year
Over a five-year ownership cycle, that’s a $7,200 difference—enough to cover major modifications, a new set of performance tires, or multiple cross-country road trips.
Smart drivers know that performance isn’t just about what’s under the hood—it’s also about what stays in your wallet. In 2025, the best states to insure a sports car make thrilling driving far more accessible. From rural New England to the Midwest, adventure and affordability no longer have to be mutually exclusive.
