Does the Color of Your Car Affect Your Insurance Rates?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

“Red cars cost more to insure.” It’s one of the most persistent car insurance myths—right up there with other popular car insurance myths.

Here’s the truth: in nearly all cases, the color of your car does not affect your insurance rates. Insurers care about risk (crashes, theft, repair costs), and paint color usually isn’t part of that pricing equation.

In most cases, your car’s paint color (red, black, white, etc.) does not affect your auto insurance premium.
Insurers mainly price policies using your vehicle’s VIN-based details (make/model/trim), repair costs, location, mileage, coverage choices, and your driving record.
The “red cars cost more” myth often comes from confusing color with higher-risk vehicle types (sports cars, convertibles, luxury models) and driver behavior.
Custom paint or wraps usually won’t raise your base rate, but they can affect how much a claim costs—so ask about custom parts/equipment coverage if you’ve upgraded your car.

Table Of Contents

Quick Answer: No—Car Color Typically Doesn’t Affect Insurance Premiums
Why Insurers Don’t Price Policies Based on Paint Color
So Why Does the “Red Car Costs More” Myth Exist?
One Exception: Custom Paint (or Wraps) Can Affect a Claim
FAQs on Car Color and Insurance Rates
Bottom Line: Your Car’s Color Doesn’t Affect Insurance Rates

Quick Answer: No—Car Color Typically Doesn’t Affect Insurance Premiums

If you’ve ever wondered why your rates changed after switching vehicles or renewing a policy, it’s far more likely due to normal pricing factors—not paint. (If you’re dealing with a surprise increase, see why your car insurance company raised your rates.)

Auto insurers usually price your policy using factors like:

Your vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim (repair costs and safety features matter a lot)
Your driving history (tickets, accidents, claims) — see how driving history affects insurance rates
Your age and experience level — see the optimal age for low auto insurance rates
Your location, mileage, coverage limits, deductibles, and (in many states) credit-based rating variables

Notice what’s missing: the color of the car. Even if you’re paying “too much” and it feels random, it’s usually tied to rating details—not paint. (Related: why insurance can be high with no accidents.)

Why Insurers Don’t Price Policies Based on Paint Color

Insurers identify and price vehicles using the VIN (vehicle identification number), which tells them what matters for risk and cost—like the exact model, engine, safety tech, and typical repair expenses.

Color is often collected for practical reasons (verifying the vehicle, matching registration/claims details, and identifying cars in theft recovery), but it’s generally not a core pricing variable.

So Why Does the “Red Car Costs More” Myth Exist?

No one can pinpoint a single origin story, but a few ideas keep the myth alive.

1) Some safety research links visibility and crash risk to certain colors

Over the years, a handful of studies have suggested that visibility and contrast may influence crash risk in some conditions (for example, darker colors blending into roads or low light). That’s not the same as saying “red is expensive to insure,” and it doesn’t mean insurers rate your policy by paint color—but it helps explain why the topic gets attention.

2) Color gets blamed for what’s really a vehicle-type issue

“Flashy colors” tend to show up more often on vehicles that are already expensive to insure—like sports cars, performance trims, and luxury models. The price difference is usually about the car (and how it’s driven), not the color.

For example, fast cars generally cost more to insure than practical vehicles, and certain body styles can be pricier too, like convertibles and 2-door coupes. Meanwhile, family-focused vehicles like a minivan are often cheaper because they’re statistically associated with lower-risk driving and can be less expensive to repair.

That’s why “color” can look like the culprit when the bigger factor is actually how your type of car affects your insurance rates.

3) People confuse attention with pricing

Bright colors are more noticeable, which can fuel the belief that red cars get more tickets—or that insurers charge more because drivers get pulled over more. But insurers don’t price your policy based on how “attention-grabbing” the paint is. They price based on measurable risk factors like violations, accidents, and claims.

If you’ve had issues in the past and you’re working your way back to better pricing, focus on what actually moves the needle—your record, claims history, and shopping around. This guide can help: how to move from high-risk to standard car insurance.

One Exception: Custom Paint (or Wraps) Can Affect a Claim

Standard factory colors typically won’t change your rate. But if you’ve paid extra for a custom paint job, specialty wrap, or aftermarket appearance upgrades, that could affect coverage because it changes the cost to repair or replace the vehicle. If you’ve invested money into appearance upgrades, ask your insurer whether you need custom parts/equipment coverage (names vary by company).

FAQs on Car Color and Insurance Rates

Do red cars cost more to insure?

Typically, no. Auto insurers generally don’t use paint color as a pricing factor. If two drivers insure the same vehicle with the same coverage, the color (red vs. blue vs. white) usually won’t change the premium.

Why do some insurance forms ask for my car’s color?

Usually for identification and administrative reasons—matching registration details, verifying the vehicle, and helping with theft recovery or claims processing. It’s commonly collected even though it’s not a core rating variable.

Are some car colors more likely to be in accidents?

Some studies have suggested small crash-risk differences by color in certain conditions due to visibility and contrast. But that doesn’t mean insurers price your policy by color. Your premium is far more influenced by your driving record, your location, and the vehicle’s repair costs.

Do red cars get more speeding tickets?

Not necessarily. Bright colors can be more noticeable, but tickets are tied to driver behavior and enforcement—not a guaranteed outcome of choosing a red vehicle. Insurers care about the violations on your record, not the paint.

Can a custom paint job or wrap affect my insurance?

It can affect coverage and claims more than your base rate. If you have custom paint, wraps, or expensive appearance upgrades, ask your insurer whether you need custom parts/equipment coverage so repairs or replacement reflect what you’ve added.

Will repainting my car change my premium?

Usually not. Repainting a standard vehicle color generally doesn’t change insurance pricing. But you should keep your insurer’s vehicle description accurate, and you may want to disclose major custom work that increases repair costs.

What actually has the biggest impact on my car insurance price?

The biggest factors are typically your driving history (tickets/accidents/claims), your location, your annual mileage, the vehicle’s make/model/trim and repair costs, and the coverage limits and deductibles you choose. Age and credit-based rating factors can also matter depending on your state.

Bottom Line: Your Car’s Color Doesn’t Affect Insurance Rates

In general, you can pick the color you like without worrying about a “red car surcharge.” Insurers focus on risk and repair costs—things like the vehicle’s specs, whether it’s a new car with expensive tech, whether it’s used, and the driver’s record and profile.

If you want the best price, your best moves are comparing carriers, matching coverage to your needs, and choosing a vehicle that’s affordable to repair. If you’re shopping, start with a shortlist of reputable providers: the best auto insurance companies in America.

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