Luxury Cars

• Luxury cars can have higher than average rates because of their higher value, and also because they can be a target of vandals and car thieves. The Cadillac Escalade, for example, is at the top of the list of most frequently stolen vehicles, along with the Hummer (according to carseek.com.
  According to Motortrend magazine, the average annual premium for a 2009 Mercedes G-Class is $2,088, while it costs $2,236 to insure a BMW M6.
  
  

Sports Cars

• Sports cars are often driven faster than most other vehicles, so they tend to be involved in more accidents, and the claims can be more expensive. They also are attractive targets for vandals and car thieves. Drivers under 30 often purchase sports cars, which is an age category that generally pays higher insurance rates regardless of the type of vehicle purchased.
  According to Motortrend, a 2009 Dodge Viper averages $2,446 per year to insure, and the Ford Shelby GT-500 averages $2,186 per year.
  
  

SUVs

• SUVs also have a higher claims frequency, and are more expensive to insure than the average vehicle. According to Money Magazine, the Hummer is the vehicle that is most frequently ticketed for speeding, and accident frequency and moving violations are among the factors that insurance companies use to determine premium. On average, a 2009 Land Rover Range Rover costs $1,603 per year to insure, and the BMW X6 costs $1,584, according to an article published by insure.com.
  
  

Small Cars

• Smaller cars offer less protection to drivers and passengers in accidents, so the chance of serious injury can be greater, which leads to higher medical claims from such accidents (and that, of course, affects insurance premiums). It has also been shown that smaller cars are highly vulnerable when involved in crashes with larger cars.
  
  

Other Factors

• Cars that lack modern safety features such as dual airbags, shoulder restraints, and seat belts may require higher premiums, and many insurance companies offer discounts for cars equipped with such features. Cars that are driven more than 12,000 miles per year will also require higher premiums as they are more likely to be involved in an accident because they are on the road more. Vehicles that are used for work or business, such as those of a traveling salesperson or delivery driver, will result in additional premium because of the higher likelihood of having to drive in challenging weather and road conditions.