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Performance car insurance

Finding insurance for a performance car works the same way as any other, except that due to the increased insurance risks that come with performance cars, you may find you have fewer and more expensive quotes to choose from.

That doesn't mean finding a reasonably priced policy is impossible, and that's where we can help. Read on to find out about insuring your performance car, or if you're ready to get a quote, use the quote button to get started.

Rhydian Jones - Confused.com Commercial Director

Written by Rhydian Jones Commercial Director & Motoring Expert 6 min read | Published 18/11/2024

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What is a performance car?

Collins dictionary defines a performance car as "a car that can go very fast and increase its speed very quickly" which is a pretty good way of describing them. Sports-cars and supercars such as Porsche can also come under the umbrella of performance cars.

These types of cars are usually fast, expensive and tend to have race-prepared engines, tuned exhausts and uprated suspensions. Allowing you to hit higher speeds with ease. They’re designed with power in mind, enabling it to handle higher-than-normal speeds or take tight corners.

An insurer usually classes a supercar as a 2-door, lightweight vehicle with a large, powerful engine. But it’s a pretty broad category as it covers prestige models, kit cars and imported cars.

It also covers modified cars. These are regular cars that have been modified for high performance by adding a larger engine or upgrading the fuel system, for example.

Other high-performance modifications might include:

Reducing the weight with lighter materials such as carbon fibre
Using specifically-designed components
Tuning the engine, which is usually a V5 or bigger

Is a performance or supercar more expensive to insure?

It can be. Their ability to reach high speeds and huge value means insurers see performance cars as a higher risk.

As with any car, there are many factors that go into working out how much you should pay for your supercar insurance.

When covering supercars, insurers also need to consider:

The extra power in the engine means there’s a greater risk of an accident.
It’ll be more difficult and expensive to source specialist parts for repair.
Accidents at high speeds have a greater risk of leading to serious injury or death. Not just for the driver but passengers and 3rd parties too.
Performance cars are more desirable, and so a more tempting target for thieves and vandals. Some people even delight in damaging these cars.

Putting it simply, insurers think there’s more chance of a high-performance car being damaged or stolen, and it costs them more when that happens. The bottom line is that you’re dealing with valuable assets.

Do I need specialist performance car insurance?

Not necessarily: you should be able to insure your performance car with a standard car insurance policy, the same as any other car. However, you might find because of the increased insurance risks that come with your car- it's power, value, higher insurance group for example - that you'll have fewer quotes to choose from, and those you do get will likely be more expensive.

The only time you may need a specialist policy for it is if you take it to a track. For this, you'll need track day insurance.

We work with 169 insurers and the quotes we'll show you are from those that are willing to offer you cover based on the information you've told us. All quotes we show are for standard car insurance which should cover you but may not include extras that some performance and supercar specialists offer.

If your car is really at the highest end of the performance spectrum and you're looking for a policy tailored to your type of car, it might be worth looking for a specialist supercar insurance company.

What our expert says

"Performance cars are extremely powerful so come with a higher risk, that makes them very expensive to insure. So it makes sense to do your research and make sure it's completely covered with the correct insurance."

Rhydian Jones Commercial Director & Motoring Expert

Can young drivers be insured to drive a performance car?

Yes, but it could be expensive.

All the factors that make high performance insurance more expensive for older drivers also come into play with younger drivers.

But there’s the added issue that younger drivers usually pay higher insurance costs than more experienced motorists. This is because:

You won’t have the experience that people who’ve been driving for longer have built up.
Insurers believe you’re more likely to drive irresponsibly, and as a result you’re more likely to have an accident.
If you do have an accident, you’re more likely to have other people in the car with you.

The costs for a young driver to be insured on a performance car could be astronomical and you might find some insurers don't offer quotes at all because of the extra risk. In some cases, it can make the very idea of owning such a vehicle almost impossible to achieve.

How can I get cheaper insurance?

It’s always going to be more expensive to insure a performance car, but you could get cheaper car insurance if you're aware of your options.

Be organised and don't leave it late to get your insurance. Our data shows the cheapest time to buy your policy is 18* days before the policy start date. The longer you leave it, the more the price can go up.

*Confused.com data Q2 2024

Consider adding an immobiliser or tracker to your car's security. This should deter would-be thieves, lessening the risk of you needing to make a claim.
Increase your voluntary excess. But make sure you can afford to pay it should you need to make a claim.
Reduce your mileage. Don’t pay for mileage you don’t need. If you only take your supercar out occasionally or for shorter journeys, your costs could fall as a result.
Add a named driver. Younger or less experienced drivers may be able to shave some money off their insurance costs by adding a more experienced driver to the policy.