SUV vs sedan insurance: what really changes the price?

Compare models, not only body styles

A modest SUV and a premium sedan can have very different purchase and repair costs. Even two SUVs can differ in theft experience, parts availability and the cost of replacing sensors or body panels. Ask insurers for the exact year, make, model and trim you are considering.

What a vehicle rating tells you

Canadian insurers can use claims data to assess the likelihood and cost of losses for particular vehicles. The Insurance Bureau of Canada describes CLEAR, a vehicle rating system based on insurance losses. A vehicle with a lower sticker price is not automatically less expensive to insure.

Coverage can outweigh the category

A newer vehicle with financing may prompt you to consider collision and comprehensive coverage. An older vehicle owner may choose different coverage after weighing the vehicle’s value against the deductible and premium. These decisions can shift the quote more than switching between an SUV and a sedan.

To make a fair comparison, request quotes with identical drivers, address, usage, liability limits, deductible and optional coverage for each candidate vehicle.

A three-step shopping check

1. Shortlist two or three exact models and model years.
2. Look up the models in IBC’s How Cars Measure Up resource.
3. Get insurer quotes for each one before you buy the car.

The vehicle-type calculator can help set an early budget, but it does not contain live model-specific premiums.