How Much Do Self-Driving Cars Cost to Insure?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

“Self-driving car” can mean anything from basic lane-keep assist to vehicles that can handle certain driving tasks with minimal input. Either way, the big question for most shoppers is practical: how much do these high-tech cars cost to insure?

In most cases, cars with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are insured like any other vehicle—but they can cost more to insure because repairs are often pricier (think cameras, radar, sensors, and calibration). On the other hand, some safety tech can reduce crashes and may help you qualify for discounts.

Most “self-driving” cars sold to consumers today are driver-assistance vehicles, so they’re insured like normal cars—but repair costs can push premiums higher.
The biggest driver of higher rates is often claim severity: cameras, radar, sensors, and calibration can make even minor repairs much more expensive.
Some ADAS features may qualify for discounts, but savings aren’t guaranteed if the vehicle is costly to fix or shows higher claims patterns.
The best way to estimate cost is to quote multiple insurers before you buy and compare identical limits, deductibles, and coverage add-ons.

Table Of Contents

First: most “self-driving” cars you can buy today aren’t fully autonomous
What self-driving features are common right now?
So how much do “self-driving” cars cost to insure?
How to shop for insurance on a self-driving / ADAS-equipped car
Will fully driverless cars change car insurance in the future?
FAQs on Insuring Self-Driving Cars
Bottom line

First: most “self-driving” cars you can buy today aren’t fully autonomous

Most consumer vehicles on the road today fall into the “driver assistance” category. That means the car can help with steering, braking, or speed in certain conditions, but you’re still responsible for driving and staying alert.

Tesla is the best-known example because of Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” branding—plus the company’s own coverage option (see our Tesla insurance review if you’re comparing policies). But many mainstream brands now offer similar driver-assist packages across a wide range of price points.

What self-driving features are common right now?

Many modern cars include ADAS features that can make driving easier and help prevent certain types of crashes. These features can also influence insurance pricing because they change both crash frequency and repair costs.

Lane departure warning + lane keeping assist (alerts and gentle steering to help keep you in your lane)
Lane centering (helps keep the vehicle centered in the lane on supported roads)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to keep a following distance and may work in stop-and-go traffic)
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) (can brake if a forward collision is detected)
Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts

If you’re shopping for a car and hoping for an insurance discount, focus on widely adopted safety tech (like AEB and lane-keeping) rather than marketing terms. Here’s a deeper breakdown of safety features that may qualify for auto insurance discounts.

So how much do “self-driving” cars cost to insure?

There isn’t one price because insurers don’t rate “self-driving” as a single category. They price the risk based on the vehicle and driver—plus repair severity. Here are the biggest forces that typically push premiums up or down.

1) Higher repair costs (the #1 reason premiums can be higher)

ADAS hardware is expensive, and even minor collisions can require sensor and camera calibration. That can turn what used to be a relatively simple repair into a much larger bill. Insurers price for that higher claim severity, which can raise premiums—especially on vehicles with lots of embedded tech or expensive replacement parts.

This is one reason your vehicle choice matters so much for pricing. If you want a quick refresher on the rating factors insurers use, here’s how your type of car affects your insurance rates.

2) EVs often cost more to insure (and many “self-driving” cars are EVs)

Many vehicles marketed as “self-driving” (or loaded with automation features) are electric or tech-heavy trims. EV insurance tends to run higher than comparable gas cars largely due to repair complexity and parts costs. That doesn’t mean every EV is expensive to insure—but it’s common enough that it should be part of your budgeting.

3) Discounts are possible—but not guaranteed

Some insurers offer discounts for certain safety features, while others price the vehicle based more heavily on repair costs and claims patterns. In other words: a car can be safer and still be more expensive to insure if it costs more to fix after a crash.

4) Your driving profile still matters a lot

Even with advanced tech, your premium still hinges on traditional rating factors: age, location, driving history, annual mileage, and prior claims. A “self-driving” feature doesn’t cancel out riskier behavior behind the wheel—especially if you have major violations on your record. (For example, here’s how much reckless driving can affect auto insurance.)

How to shop for insurance on a self-driving / ADAS-equipped car

If you’re buying a vehicle with advanced automation features, the best approach is to quote insurance before you purchase. A small model change (or a higher-tech trim) can shift premiums more than people expect.

Quote multiple companies at the same limits and deductibles. Rates can vary widely by insurer (start here if you’re price shopping: cheapest auto insurance companies).
Don’t underinsure a high-tech car. If the vehicle is newer or financed/leased, minimum limits may leave you exposed. Learn the tradeoffs of minimum coverage before choosing the cheapest possible policy.
Consider higher deductibles if you can afford them. This can help offset higher premiums on tech-heavy vehicles.
Ask how the insurer handles calibration and OEM parts after a claim. These details can matter a lot with ADAS repairs.
Use telematics if you’re a safe driver. Usage-based programs can be one of the most effective ways to bring premiums down.

Will fully driverless cars change car insurance in the future?

As automation improves, insurance may evolve—especially around liability (driver vs. automaker/software) and how claims are handled. But for now, most consumer “self-driving” systems still require an attentive driver, so personal auto insurance remains the primary coverage.

If you’re curious about the long-term impact, here’s a bigger-picture look at whether driverless cars will end the car insurance industry.

FAQs on Insuring Self-Driving Cars

Are self-driving cars more expensive to insure?

Often, yes—but not because the car is “fully autonomous.” Many vehicles marketed as self-driving are packed with ADAS hardware that can be expensive to replace and calibrate after even minor damage. Higher repair costs can translate into higher premiums.

Do insurers give discounts for self-driving features?

Sometimes. Some companies offer discounts for certain safety features like automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping assistance. However, any discount may be offset if the vehicle is expensive to repair or has higher claims costs in your area.

What “self-driving” features matter most for insurance?

Insurers tend to care about two things: (1) whether the feature reduces common crashes, and (2) how expensive it makes repairs. Widely adopted features like AEB and lane-keeping may help with crash frequency, while complex sensor suites can increase repair severity.

Why can repairs be so expensive on ADAS-equipped cars?

Modern driver-assist systems rely on cameras, radar, and sensors that may need replacement and calibration after a collision—or even after certain glass, bumper, or mirror repairs. That added complexity and labor can increase claim costs.

Does having “Full Self-Driving” mean I don’t need as much insurance?

No. Even with advanced driver-assist features, you’re typically still responsible for the vehicle, and accidents can still happen. In most cases, you should insure the car based on its value, how expensive it is to repair, and your liability exposure—not marketing terms.

What coverage is most important for a high-tech vehicle?

For newer or tech-heavy vehicles, collision and comprehensive are often important because repairs can be costly. Consider higher liability limits as well, and review deductibles so you can afford them if you need to file a claim.

How can I lower insurance costs on a self-driving/ADAS vehicle?

Shop multiple insurers at the same limits and deductibles, ask about safety-feature and telematics discounts, consider a higher deductible if you can afford it, and avoid coverage gaps (especially if the car is financed or leased).

Bottom line

Cars with “self-driving” features can be more expensive to insure mainly because they’re often pricier to repair—especially after even minor damage that requires sensor/camera replacement and calibration. However, some safety features can reduce certain crash types and may qualify you for discounts.

Before you buy, get quotes from several insurers, compare coverage details, and pick the right policy for how you drive and what the car will cost to repair. If you want help understanding your choices, this overview of auto insurance types is a good place to start.

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