Are 2-Door Cars More Expensive to Insure?

Last Updated on September 21, 2023

You may have heard that two-door cars, or coupes, are more expensive to insure.

It’s true: insurance companies generally charge higher premiums for coupes because they’re considered higher-risk vehicles than sedans. Statistically, people who drive coupes are more likely to make a claim.

Keep reading to find out how much more you’ll pay for insurance on a two-door car.

Table of Contents:

• Yes, Two-Door Cars May Have Higher Insurance Costs
• Why Coupe Drivers Pay More for Car Insurance
• Other Factors Impacting Coupe Car Insurance Premiums
• How to Save on Two-Door Car Insurance

Yes, Two-Door Cars May Have Higher Insurance Costs

All things being equal, it costs more to insure a two-door car (a coupe) than a four-door car (a sedan).

Insurers charge higher prices on coupes because of higher perceived risk. Insurers use decades of driving statistics to calculate the risk of insuring someone.

If you drive a coupe, then you’re statistically more likely to cause an accident and make a claim than someone who drives a sedan.

However, insurers consider hundreds of factors to calculate premiums. The type of vehicle you drive is one of many factors.

Why Coupe Drivers Pay More for Car Insurance

You may think sedans have higher insurance premiums than coupes because there are more doors to repair after an accident.

However, coupe drivers tend to pay more for car insurance because of all of the following reasons:

Coupes Are Higher Risk Vehicles: Statistically, you’re more likely to cause an accident and engage in risky driving behavior in a coupe than in a sedan. Even if you’re the world’s safest coupe driver, other coupe drivers are less safe than average, which means you’ll pay higher insurance premiums.

Coupe Drivers Tend to Be Higher-Risk Drivers: The drivers who drive coupes tend to be higher-risk drivers. When you apply for car insurance with a coupe, your insurer assumes you’re riskier to insure than, say, a minivan driver.

Insurers Label Some Coupes as Sports Cars: Some insurers consider a coupe to be a sports car, which can significantly increase car insurance premiums. Sports cars are more likely to be stolen. Sports car drivers also tend to have a higher risk of speeding and other dangerous driving behavior.

Higher Vehicle Value: Coupes tend to cost more than sedans. You’ll pay more upfront for your vehicle. Insurers cover your vehicle up to its actual cash value (ACV). The higher the actual cash value of your vehicle, the more you’ll pay for car insurance.

Other Factors Impacting Coupe Car Insurance Premiums

Coupes tend to have higher insurance premiums, but that doesn’t mean you’ll pay higher rates all the time. Instead, insurers consider hundreds of factors to calculate premiums.

Some of the most important factors behind your insurance premiums include:

Vehicle Horsepower: Insurers may not consider every coupe to be a sports car. If your vehicle has lower horsepower, you may pay less for car insurance regardless of whether you drive a coupe or a sedan. Vehicles with four-cylinder engines tend to cost less than vehicles with six or eight-cylinder engines, for example.

Vehicle Safety Features: Modern coupes are loaded with safety features. The more safety features your vehicle has, the less you’ll pay for car insurance. To calculate premiums, insurers consider crash data. Some vehicles have notoriously high fatality or injury rates, while other vehicles consistently protect the people inside.

Credit Score: Insurers use your credit score to calculate premiums. If you have a good credit score, then you could pay hundreds of dollars less per year than someone with a bad credit score – even if you drive a coupe and they drive a sedan. California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts forbid the use of credit scores in insurance premiums, but your credit score impacts premiums in all other states.

Driving History: Your driving history has a bigger role in insurance premiums than any other factor. If you have a safe driving history with zero tickets, citations, or at-fault accidents in the last three to seven years, then you’ll pay some of the lowest possible premiums regardless of which car you drive.

Location: Insurers consider your ZIP code, state insurance laws, and other location-specific factors when calculating premiums.

How to Save on Two-Door Car Insurance

Having a coupe doesn’t mean paying higher rates for car insurance. To save, follow these tips:

• Take advantage of discounts
• Shop around for car insurance (not all insurers charge a premium for coupes versus sedans)
• Consider the cost of insurance before buying a new vehicle
• Improve your credit score
• Wait for at-fault accidents and other incidents to fall off your record 

Final Word: Compare Quotes to Find the Best Coupe Insurance

Driving a coupe doesn’t always mean paying more for car insurance.

Some insurers consider coupes sports cars, while others do not. That’s why it’s important to compare quotes to find the best insurer for your unique needs.

Some insurers charge higher rates to coupe drivers because they consider coupes high-risk. Other insurers charge lower rates because they use different ranking factors. Some insurers put a higher value on driving history and credit score, for example, than vehicle type.

By comparing quotes from insurers in your area, you can ensure you’re paying the cheapest possible rates for your coupe insurance.