The Most Expensive Cars to Insure

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- The real cost of a car isn't just what you pay on the lot.

If you're looking to buy a new car, you should do your due diligence and learn what your potential purchases will cost to insure. While personal profiles and driving records will help shape your individual policy quotes, "what determines the insurance rate is the claims history of the vehicle," says Amy Danise, senior managing editor of Insure.com.

These 2012 cars cost the most to insure annually, according to research by Insure.com.

That means convertibles - which Danise says "were made to crash" thanks to their high-powered engines -- are well represented among the most expensive, while family cars such as station wagons or sedans with low horsepower make up a bulk of the cheapest cars to insure. Very few drivers are taking them to drag races.

There's also a correlation between cars that cost a lot to buy and cars that cost a lot to insure, since repairs on expensive vehicles also carry a higher price tag, even if they don't break down often.

Which 2012 models specifically present the best (and worst) insurance deals? Read on to find out.

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Methodology
Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services, which monitors insurance rates, to calculate the average annual premium for a single 40-year-old male driver who commutes a dozen miles to work each day. This theoretical driver has a clean driving record and good credit. All policies considered had limits of $100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage sustained in an accident. They also all had a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Quadrant used car insurance rates from six large carriers (State Farm, Allstate(ALL), Progressive(PRG), Geico, Farmers and Nationwide) in 10 ZIP codes per state. Note also that a person's rate will vary depending on their actual driving record.

10th-least expensive:Chevrolet(GM) Silverado 1500 Extended Cab
Average national annual premium: $1,143

Ninth-least expensive:Toyota(TM) Sienna 6-Cylinder
Average national annual premium: $1,139

Eighth-least expensive: Ford(F) Escape XLS
Average national annual premium: $1,137

Seventh-least expensive: Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
Average national annual premium: $1,129

Sixth-least expensive: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab
Average national annual premium: $1,125

Fifth-least expensive: GMC Sierra K1500 Regular Cab
Average national annual premium: $1,121

Fourth-least expensive: Jeep Compass Sport
Average national annual premium: $1,118

Third least expensive: Jeep Patriot Sport
Average national annual premium: $1,116

Second least expensive: Toyota Sienna 4-Cylinder
Average national annual premium: $1,114

The least expensive car to insure: Toyota Sienna LE
Average national annual premium: $1,111

A perennial mainstay, the Sienna LE, finally wrested the top spot from last year's winner, the Chrysler Town and Country.

10th-most expensive: BMW 750Li Hybrid
Average national annual premium: $2,641

Ninth-most expensive: Mercedes CL65 AMG Coupe
Average national annual premium: $2,669

Seventh-most expensive (tie): Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible
Average national annual premium: $2,674

Seventh-most expensive (tie): Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible
Average national annual premium: $2,674

Sixth-most expensive: BMW 750i Hybrid
Average national annual premium: $2,701

Fifth-most expensive: Porsche Panamera Turbo
Average national annual premium: $2,764

Fourth-most expensive: Audi R8 4.2 Quatrro Coupe
Average national annual premium: $2,903

Third-most expensive: Mercedes S600
Average national annual premium: $2,948

Second-most expensive: Mercedes CL600 Coupe
Average national annual premium: $3,307

The most expensive car to insure: Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible
Average national annual premium: $3,384

According to Danise, the Audi's appearance at the top spot was the biggest surprise this year, as it didn't appear on the in the top 10 at all last year.

"It means [Audis] are now incurring expensive claims," she says.

The cost of repairs is a big factor in how much a car is going to cost to insure. Find out what vehicles are among the most reliable in our roundup of the Healthiest Cars of 2011.

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