Kia Insurance: How Much Is It and How to Get Coverage
The average price to insure a Kia is $129 per month for a full coverage policy.
However, Kia insurance rates range from $91 per month to $162 per month depending on the model you drive and the insurance company you choose.
Some insurance companies aren't offering new policies for certain Kia models. This is because of the rise in car thefts after the TikTok Kia Challenge went viral in July 2022.
How much is insurance for my Kia?
Kia car insurance cost by model
The Sportage, a compact SUV, is the cheapest Kia to insure. A full coverage policy for a Kia Sportage costs around $111 per month.
The most expensive Kia to insure is the Optima, at $162 per month for full coverage. The Optima is a sedan that was discontinued in 2020.
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The most expensive Kias to insure are sedans, although insuring the EV6 hybrid SUV also costs more than the average Kia insurance policy.
Average cost of full coverage Kia insurance by model
Kia insurance rates by company
Geico has the cheapest car insurance for Kia owners, at $91 per month for a full coverage policy.
That's 30% cheaper than the average cost of Kia insurance.
Nationwide has the most expensive Kia car insurance, charging $161 per month for a full coverage insurance policy. That's 77% more expensive than a policy from Geico.
The company you choose has a much bigger impact on the cost of Kia insurance than the model you drive. That's why it's important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the cheapest rate for you.
Average cost of full coverage Kia insurance by company
Company | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $91 | |
| Progressive | $94 | |
| State Farm | $133 | |
| Allstate | $142 | |
| Farmers | $151 | |
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Why are Kias so expensive to insure?
Kias are actually not expensive to insure.
The average cost of full coverage insurance for a Kia is $129 per month, which is 13% cheaper than the national average.
Kia insurance is also cheaper than insurance for similar makes. For example, the average cost of full coverage insurance is $166 per month for a Hyundai and $212 for a Toyota. This may be surprising, considering recent news about Kia's insurance issues.
However, the price of your car affects the amount you pay for full coverage insurance, and Kia has some of the cheapest models on the market. For example, the Rio sedan starts at $16,750, making it the second-cheapest sedan on the market, after the Nissan Versa.
The cost of your car affects insurance rates because an inexpensive car will be cheaper to replace if you're in a bad crash.
Why are insurance companies not insuring Kias?
Some insurance companies, including Allstate, State Farm and Progressive, are insuring fewer Kias after a recent spike in theft rates for both Kias and Hyundais.
The increase in stolen Kias is due in large part to the "Kia Challenge."
What is the Kia Challenge?
A group from Milwaukee called the "Kia Boyz" made a TikTok video that went viral in July of 2022 showing how to steal some Kia or Hyundai models using only a flathead screwdriver and a USB cord.
If your car is on the list below, you should check with Kia to see if you have an engine immobilizer.
You can contact Kia at 800-333-4542.
Kia models without an engine immobilizer
- 2015-2021 Kia Forte
- 2015-2021 Kia Optima
- 2015-2021 Kia Rio
- 2015-2021 Kia Sedona
- 2015-2021 Kia Sorento
- 2015-2021 Kia Soul
- 2015-2021 Kia Sportage
These cars are easier to steal because they don't have a basic anti-theft device, called an engine immobilizer.
What is an engine immobilizer?
When you have an engine immobilizer, your car key sends an electronic code to your vehicle. The engine will only start if the code in your key matches the code in the car's immobilizer. Cars without an immobilizer can be started with any key that fits in the ignition, which makes them easier to steal.
Some Kia models with model years between 2015 and 2021 don't have engine immobilizers. All models produced for 2022 or later have this technology, so they're not affected by the Kia Challenge.
In Milwaukee, where the challenge started, thefts of Kias and Hyundais nearly tripled between 2020 and 2021. Once the video went viral, thefts rose in cities across the Midwest and Northwest, including Cleveland, Chicago, Seattle and Portland, Ore.
For example, in the first half of 2022, there were 511 Kias and Hyundais stolen in Chicago. In the second half of the year, Chicago reported 6,250 of these cars stolen. That's 10 times as many thefts after the TikTok video went viral.
Which companies are not insuring Kias?
Allstate, State Farm and Progressive announced that they are limiting the number of new policies they offer to owners of some Kia models.
This will only affect new customers living in certain areas. The companies aren't dropping Kia owners, so if you're already an Allstate, State Farm or Progressive customer, your policy won't be canceled. But your rates could go up.
These companies have not provided a list of models or years that they won't cover. But you may not be able to get a policy from them if your car doesn't have an engine immobilizer.
How to protect your Kia from being stolen
There are a few steps that Kia owners can take to protect their car.
- Get the Kia anti-theft software update by calling 800-333-4542.
- Install an aftermarket immobilizer kit. This is the priciest option, but it will make it so your car can't be easily hot-wired.
- Install an alarm system, or use a wheel-locking device. Kia may reimburse you for these items. But you should call 800-333-4542 to make sure before buying an expensive system.
- Install a car tracker like LoJack, or hide an Apple AirTag in your car. This will help the police recover your car if it's stolen.
Kia Carnival insurance rates
The average cost of full coverage car insurance for a Kia Carnival is $119 per year. That's $10 per month less than the average cost to insure a Kia.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $120 |
| 2022 | $118 |
Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for Kia Carnival owners. At $77 per month, a full coverage policy from Progressive is 35% cheaper than average.
The Kia Carnival is a minivan that Kia began producing for 2022 to replace the Kia Sedona.
Kia EV6 insurance cost
The average cost of car insurance for a Kia EV6 is $130 per month for a full coverage policy. Because it’s an electric car, the EV6 is the only Kia SUV that's more expensive than average to insure. Electric cars typically cost more to insure than gas-powered models. That's because their parts can be pricey to repair or replace after an accident.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $131 |
| 2022 | $128 |
The EV6 is also one of the most expensive Kias to purchase, with a starting MSRP of $42,600.
Geico has the cheapest full coverage rate for the Kia EV6, at $97 per month. That's 25% less than average.
How much is insurance for a Kia Forte?
Full coverage car insurance for a Kia Forte costs an average of $149 per month. That makes the Forte the most expensive current Kia model to insure.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $140 |
| 2022 | $137 |
| 2021 | $211 |
| 2020 | $131 |
| 2019 | $127 |
The 2021 Kia Forte is the most expensive model year to insure. Typically, newer models come with the most expensive insurance rates. However, insurance for a 2021 Forte is more expensive than insurance for 2022 or 2023 models.
That's probably because Fortes with model years between 2015 and 2021 are missing key anti-theft technology, which makes them an easy target for car thieves.
Geico offers the cheapest car insurance quotes for Kia Forte owners. At $99 per month, a full coverage policy from Geico is 34% cheaper than average. The second-cheapest option is Progressive, where a full coverage policy costs $104 per month.
Kia K5 insurance cost
The average cost of Kia K5 insurance is $137 per month for a full coverage policy. That's 6% more expensive than the average cost to insure a Kia.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $138 |
| 2022 | $135 |
| 2021 | $129 |
The K5 is a performance sedan with a turbocharged engine. It's able to go from zero to 60 in 5.7 seconds. This probably contributes to its higher insurance costs, because insurance companies believe performance cars are more likely to be involved in an accident.
Geico is the cheapest option for K5 insurance, at $97 per month for a full coverage policy. That's 29% cheaper than average and 27% less expensive than the second-cheapest company, Progressive.
Kia Optima insurance rates
Kia Optima owners pay an average of $162 per month for full coverage car insurance. The Optima is the most expensive Kia to insure, even though it hasn't been produced since the 2020 model year. Full coverage insurance for the Optima costs 26% more than the average rate to insure a Kia.
That may be because the Kia Optima lacks some standard anti-theft features, which means it's easier to steal.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $130 |
| 2019 | $127 |
| 2018 | $189 |
| 2017 | $182 |
| 2016 | $184 |
Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for the Kia Optima. At $123 per month, a full coverage policy from Progressive is 24% less expensive than average.
Optima owners can also find affordable rates with Geico, where a full coverage policy costs $125 per month.
Kia Niro car insurance rates
Kia Niro insurance costs around $119 per month for a full coverage policy, which is 8% cheaper than average.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $126 |
| 2022 | $122 |
| 2021 | $116 |
| 2020 | $118 |
| 2019 | $113 |
Geico offers the cheapest quotes for the Niro, which is Kia's hybrid compact SUV. A full coverage policy from Geico costs around $76 per month. That's 26% cheaper than average and 14% less expensive than the second-cheapest company, Progressive. [/column] [/column]
Kia Rio car insurance rates
The average cost of car insurance for a Kia Rio is $135 per month for a full coverage policy. The Rio is one of the more expensive Kias to insure, despite being the cheapest model to purchase.
This could be because models produced prior to the 2022 model year don't have an engine immobilizer, which is a key anti-theft device. That means these older Rios are more likely to be stolen.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $140 |
| 2022 | $137 |
| 2021 | $137 |
| 2020 | $134 |
| 2019 | $128 |
Kia Rio owners can find the cheapest car insurance quotes at Geico. A full coverage policy from Geico costs $83 per month, which is 38% cheaper than average. Progressive also offers affordable rates, averaging around $92 per month.
Kia Seltos insurance cost
The Seltos is the second-cheapest Kia model to insure, at $117 per month for a full coverage policy. That's 9% cheaper than the average cost to insure a Kia.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $118 |
| 2022 | $115 |
| 2021 | $112 |
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for Kia Seltos owners. At $68 per month, a full coverage policy from Progressive is 41% cheaper than average. Kia Seltos insurance from Progressive is also 30% less expensive than the second-cheapest company, Geico.
Kia Sorento insurance cost
Full coverage car insurance for a Kia Sorento costs an average of $120 per month. The Sorento is the most expensive gas-powered Kia SUV to insure. However, it costs $5,000 more to buy a Telluride than a Sorento.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $123 |
| 2022 | $121 |
| 2021 | $118 |
| 2020 | $118 |
| 2019 | $119 |
Sorento owners can find the cheapest rates at Geico, where a full coverage policy costs $82 per month. That's 31% less than the average rate to insure a Sorento. Progressive also offers affordable insurance for the Kia Sorento, with an average rate of $84 per month.
How much is insurance for a Kia Soul?
The average insurance cost for a Kia Soul is $119 per month for a full coverage policy. The Soul is the second most expensive Kia SUV to insure, even though it's the cheapest to purchase. However, insurance for a Soul is still 8% less expensive than the average cost of Kia insurance.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $124 |
| 2022 | $121 |
| 2021 | $119 |
| 2020 | $116 |
| 2019 | $117 |
The cheapest Kia Soul insurance comes from Geico. A full coverage policy from Geico costs $78 per month, which is 34% less than average for the Soul.
Kia Sportage insurance cost
The Sportage is the cheapest Kia model to insure. The average insurance cost for a Kia Sportage is $111 per month for full coverage, which is 14% cheaper than average.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $116 |
| 2022 | $113 |
| 2021 | $111 |
| 2020 | $109 |
| 2019 | $108 |
Progressive has the cheapest coverage for a Kia Sportage, at $79 per month for full coverage. That's 29% cheaper than average Kia insurance coverage. Sportage owners should also compare quotes from Geico, where a full coverage policy costs $80 per month, on average. That's just $1 per month more expensive than Progressive.
Kia Stinger insurance cost
The average cost of full coverage car insurance for a Stinger is $146 per month. That's 13% higher than average, making the Stinger one of the most expensive Kia models to insure. It's also the most expensive Kia sedan to purchase, with a starting price of $36,690.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $153 |
| 2022 | $146 |
| 2021 | $144 |
| 2020 | $141 |
| 2019 | $148 |
The Stinger comes with a turbocharged engine with up to 368 horsepower. And it has the ability to go from zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds. Insurance companies tend to charge more money to insure performance cars like the Stinger. That's because they believe these cars are more likely to get into an accident.
Progressive offers the most affordable insurance for a Kia Stinger. A full coverage policy from Progressive costs $89 per month, which is 36% cheaper than average. It's also 21% less expensive than coverage from the second-cheapest company, Geico.
Kia Telluride insurance cost
The average insurance cost for a Kia Telluride is $118 per month for a full coverage policy. Insurance for a Telluride is 9% cheaper than the average for a Kia.
Year | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $123 |
| 2022 | $122 |
| 2021 | $114 |
| 2020 | $115 |
Telluride owners can find the cheapest rates at Progressive, where a full coverage policy costs $91 per month. That's 23% cheaper than the average for a Telluride. Geico also offers an affordable rate for a Kia Telluride, at $94 per month for full coverage. That's only $3 per month more expensive than Progressive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kia TikTok challenge?
The Kia Challenge was started by the Kia Boyz, a group based in Milwaukee. The group created a TikTok video showing how to hot-wire some Kia and Hyundai models using only a flathead screwdriver and a USB cable.
This video went viral in July 2022 and resulted in a large increase in theft rates for Kias and Hyundais.
Which Kia models are susceptible to theft?
Kia models that don't have a basic piece of anti-theft technology, called an engine immobilizer, are easier to steal. This includes Kia Fortes, Optimas, Rios, Sedonas, Sorentos, Souls and Sportages with model years between 2015 and 2021.
How much is Kia insurance?
The average cost of insuring a Kia is $129 per month for a full coverage policy. That's 13% less expensive than the average cost of car insurance.
Which insurance companies are not insuring Kias?
Allstate, State Farm and Progressive are limiting the number of new Kia insurance policies for certain types of Kias. This is because of the rise in car theft for Kias with model years between 2015 and 2021. The companies haven't shared a list of which models are affected. But it is probably similar to the list of Kias that don't have engine immobilizers.
Methodology and sources
To find the average cost of Kia car insurance, ValuePenguin collected quotes from eight top companies across every ZIP code in California. Rates are for a 30-year-old single man with a good credit score and clean driving record. Rates per model are for the base trim level.
Quotes are for a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, along with higher liability limits than the state requirement.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per person
- Uninsured and underinsured bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Medical payments: $5,000
- Comprehensive and collision deductible: $500
Sources
Kia theft rates are based on data from the Milwaukee Police Department and the Chicago Police Department, via USAFacts.