Honda Pilots usually cost slightly less than the U.S. average to insure, sitting in the mid-range for family SUVs depending on driver and coverage.
Are Honda Pilots Expensive To Insure? Average Rates At A Glance
Many shoppers hear that midsize SUVs cost a lot to cover and wonder where the Honda Pilot lands. Insurance data shows that the Pilot usually falls in the middle of the pack, with rates that stay below many large SUVs yet above compact cars and small crossovers.
Recent research from independent insurance analysts points to full coverage Honda Pilot costs in the low to mid two thousand dollar range per year for a typical driver. That may feel steep when you see the bill, yet it helps to compare those numbers with national averages and with other family haulers in the same class.
| Driver Profile | Approx Annual Insurance Cost For A Honda Pilot | How It Compares |
|---|---|---|
| Safe driver, age 40, full coverage | $1,800–$2,000 | Often a bit lower than U.S. full coverage average |
| Safe driver, age 30, full coverage | $1,950–$2,150 | Roughly in line with national pricing |
| Safe driver, age 25, full coverage | $2,200–$2,500 | Higher due to age, still mid pack for midsize SUVs |
| Safe driver, age 40, state minimum cover | $850–$1,000 | Often close to or below national minimum average |
| Recent speeding ticket, age 40 | $2,300–$2,700 | Noticeably higher than clean record drivers |
| Recent at fault crash, age 40 | $2,700–$3,200 | Can climb well above average until the claim ages off |
| Teen driver on family policy | $3,500+ | Among the priciest setups, regardless of vehicle |
These ranges line up with recent rate studies on Honda Pilot insurance, which place full coverage around eighteen hundred to just over two thousand dollars per year for a middle aged driver, while basic state minimum cover tends to sit under one thousand dollars for many households. By comparison, NerdWallet places the overall U.S. average full coverage bill near two thousand three hundred dollars per year, so the Pilot usually comes in a bit cheaper for similar drivers and coverage levels.
Real quotes move up or down from these ranges based on age, driving record, address, and the Pilot you drive, so treat them as ballpark figures.
Honda Pilot Insurance Cost Breakdown By Driver Profile
How National Averages Compare To Pilot Rates
Broad insurance surveys show national averages that help answer the question, are honda pilots expensive to insure? In a recent nationwide study, NerdWallet estimated that typical full coverage car insurance across all vehicles runs around two thousand three hundred thirty nine dollars per year, while minimum cover averages just over six hundred dollars.
By comparison, a Honda Pilot often lands several hundred dollars below that full coverage bill for a clean forty year old driver, according to a recent Honda Pilot insurance study by MoneyGeek. That gap can shrink or widen based on your state, but it reinforces the idea that the Pilot sits in the middle, not at the top, of the family SUV insurance chart.
One more point: every insurance company uses its own pricing formula. Some carriers give aggressive discounts to safe family SUVs with strong crash test results, while others weigh location or prior claims history more heavily. This is why two owners with nearly identical Pilots can see widely different quotes.
If you have time, gather renewal offers from your insurer plus two or three rivals, then compare both price and service before you decide.
Vehicle Traits That Influence Insurance Cost
Safety Ratings And Crash Protection
Recent Honda Pilot models earn high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for crash performance and crash avoidance tech. Strong ratings reduce the risk of severe injury claims, which helps insurers keep medical and liability payouts under tighter control. That tends to make the Pilot less expensive to insure than large SUVs with weaker crash results or fewer active safety systems.
Advanced driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control also help lower risk when drivers use them correctly. Many recent Pilots include these systems as standard equipment, which can lead to small discounts or at least keep the model out of higher risk tiers.
Trim Level, Engine, And Equipment
Within the Honda Pilot line, the exact trim and powertrain you choose also shapes insurance cost. A base model with cloth seats, smaller wheels, and a modest options list usually costs less to repair after a crash than a loaded top trim with panoramic roof, large alloy wheels, and a long list of gadgets. Higher repair bills tend to translate into higher costs for physical damage cover.
Adding accessories, custom wheels, or aftermarket parts can push rates upward, because insurers have to factor in both the extra value on the vehicle and the higher chance of damage or theft. When you order add ons, ask your agent how they might affect your coverage and whether you need extra protection for special equipment.
Driver And Location Factors
Even the safest midsize SUV cannot outrun basic insurance math based on who drives it and where it lives. Age, years of licensed driving, prior tickets, at fault crashes, and coverage history all change the price that appears on your renewal notice. A long record of clean driving usually earns discounts, while recent violations push rates higher for several years.
Location matters as well. Dense urban areas with heavy traffic, frequent theft claims, or high medical costs tend to carry higher base rates than small towns with lighter congestion and fewer claims. Garaging the Pilot in a locked garage instead of on the street may help, and some insurers even adjust pricing if you move from one postal code to another.
Credit based insurance scores, where allowed, also shape what you pay. Drivers with strong payment histories and low default risk often receive better offers, while those with poor credit may see higher quotes even with a clean driving record. If this practice concerns you, ask potential insurers how they handle credit and whether they offer options that rely less on those scores.
How To Lower Your Honda Pilot Insurance Bill
Quick Wins That Many Drivers Miss
If you still find yourself asking, are honda pilots expensive to insure?, shifting a few settings on your policy can make a real difference. Start with the basics: shop quotes from at least three to five carriers, check available discounts, and review whether your coverage levels still match the age and value of your Pilot.
Most insurers offer a list of possible savings, from safe driver and multi car discounts to bundling home and auto cover. Some give price breaks for paying in full, signing up for automatic payments, or taking a short defensive driving course. A quick phone call or online chat can often reveal small rate cuts that add up over a year.
| Saving Step | What It Involves | Possible Cost Change |
|---|---|---|
| Raise collision and comp deductibles | Move from $500 to $1,000 deductibles on a Pilot you could afford to repair or replace | Often trims 10–25% from those coverage lines |
| Bundle home or renters with auto | Place property and Honda Pilot policies with the same insurer | Commonly cuts 5–20% off the combined bill |
| Ask about telematics programs | Allow a phone app or plug in device to track braking, speed, and time of day | Good habits may earn double digit discounts |
| Clean up old coverage tickets | Check your motor vehicle record and dispute errors or old items that should have dropped off | Removing mistakes can drop you into a better pricing tier |
| Adjust coverage on older Pilots | Weigh the cost of collision cover against the cash value of an aging SUV | Dropping low value cover can free up room in your budget |
| Review listed drivers | Make sure only current household drivers are on the policy and that occasional drivers are set correctly | Clearing old drivers can trim a surprise surcharge |
| Improve credit health | Pay bills on time and reduce revolving balances where possible | Better credit based scores often mean better offers over time |
Longer Term Habits That Keep Rates In Check
Insurance pricing rewards steady, low risk behavior over many years. Staying ticket free, avoiding at fault crashes, and keeping claims to a minimum usually bring the largest savings, though they take patience. Many insurers offer accident forgiveness or safe driver tiers that open up after three to five claim free years.
Vehicle choice also matters when you replace or add a car in the driveway. If insurance cost is a top concern, compare quotes for the Honda Pilot with other models on your shopping list before you sign any sales paperwork. In recent cost rankings, brands like Honda often appear near the lower end of insurance expense thanks to parts availability and strong reliability records.
Final Thoughts On Honda Pilot Insurance Costs
So, are Honda Pilots expensive to insure compared with other family SUVs? For most drivers, the answer is no. The Pilot usually lands near or slightly below national full coverage averages, helped by strong crash test scores and a reputation for dependability.
Reviewing your policy once a year around renewal season also keeps small price bumps from creeping in unchecked and reminds you to add any new discounts.
Your own price tag will still depend on age, driving record, location, coverage choices, and the insurer you pick. By understanding how those pieces fit together and taking a few practical steps to manage risk, you can keep your Honda Pilot covered at a rate that feels manageable without stripping away solid protection for your family and your finances.