Finding Affordable Insurance for a Sports Car

Insurers price every car model on its own claims history, and sports cars tend to come out expensive. That doesn't make an affordable policy impossible, but the biggest savings come before you buy the car, not after.

Why sports cars cost more to insure

Insurers price each model on its loss history: how often it's involved in claims and how much those claims cost. The Highway Loss Data Institute, which publishes insurance losses for hundreds of models, finds that sports and luxury cars have higher-than-average losses, mainly because their claims cost more to settle (Highway Loss Data Institute). Parts, paint, sensors and specialist labor are expensive, performance models are frequent theft targets, and a powerful car driven hard is more likely to be in a serious crash. Your own age and record count too: a young driver in a high-performance car is among the most expensive combinations to insure. See teen car insurance.

Check the price before you buy

Two cars with similar performance can differ a lot in insurance cost. Before you commit, get quotes on your shortlist using each car's VIN, with the same limits and deductibles for each. HLDI's make-and-model loss results, published on the IIHS website, show how each model's claims compare with the average. For comparison, see the cheapest cars to insure.

Ways to lower a sports car premium

Choose deductibles carefully. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible lowers the premium. Lenders and leasing companies usually set a maximum deductible, so check the agreement first.
Declare low mileage and garage parking if they're true. A weekend car kept in a locked garage is a better risk than a daily driver parked on the street, and many insurers price it that way.
Consider a usage-based program if you drive smoothly; the data can lower your price, though in some states it can raise it.
Keep your record clean. A speeding ticket costs more on a car that already sits in a high rating group.
Protect against theft: tracking devices and immobilizers can earn a discount and make recovery more likely.
Compare several insurers. Companies rate performance models very differently, and some specialize in them.

Track days aren't covered by a normal policy

Standard auto policies exclude racing and speed contests, and many now also exclude high-performance driving events (HPDE), track days and performance driving schools, anywhere on a track or a course set up for timed or speed driving (Hagerty). If you plan to take the car on track, ask your insurer in writing what's covered, and look at specialist track-day insurance for the event itself.

Modifications and aftermarket parts

Tell your insurer about performance modifications such as engine tuning, exhaust or suspension changes, before a claim, not after. Undeclared modifications can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Standard policies also cap cover for custom parts and equipment, so ask about adding cover if you've spent a lot on aftermarket parts.

Collector and weekend cars

If your sports car is a collectible that you drive only occasionally, a collector or classic car policy may cost less than standard cover and can pay an agreed value instead of market value after a total loss. These policies come with usage and storage limits. See classic car insurance.

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Written by the CarInsuranceHub.com editorial team. Last updated September 2026. Rating rules and coverage options vary by insurer and state; check the policy wording before relying on any cover.