What is car trim?

When discussing the make and model of a vehicle, the car's trim is also important. Car trim refers to a specific configuration of a vehicle model, usually differing in features, materials, and engine size. If you refer to a manufacturer's guide or even a specific vehicle's website, you'll learn more about a specific model's different trim levels.

Example:

A Nissan Altima might have as many as six different trim levels between the Nissan Altima S, the Altima SV, the Altima SR, the Altima SR VC-Turbo, the Altima SL, or the Altima Platinum. Think of a trim as a further categorization of a vehicle.

Why do make and model matter?

Different makes and models — as well as different trim configurations — tend to be geared toward specific uses. As a result, the make, model, and trim of a vehicle can significantly impact car insurance rates. For example, a standard SUV would likely have lower rates than the same model geared toward off-roading and adventure driving.

The difference in cost between vehicle trims can vary by thousands of dollars. That difference can play a role in determining car insurance premiums too, especially if you have comprehensive car insurance coverage or collision car insurance coverage.

How does make vs. model affect insurance rates?

The make and model of your car can affect your insurance rate based on factors like how often that make is involved in insurance claims, how much it generally costs to repair or replace the vehicle, and the safety features it has.

For example, a make and model that's the least risky and therefore one of the cheapest cars to insure is likely one that has important safety features, is generally affordable to repair or replace, and doesn't tend to be involved in a lot of accidents.

While you can typically get auto insurance regardless of your car's make and model, explore more information on car insurance for these particular makes:

Remember, make and model is just one part of how much car insurance costs. Other car insurance rate factors include:

  • Age of the vehicle
  • Vehicle usage
  • Location
  • Moving violations & claims history
  • Age of drivers

Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.