High-Cost Accidents: The 10 Car Brands With the Most Expensive Crashes

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Car crashes are never easy to deal with. Beyond the immediate impact, the financial aftermath can add another layer of stress. Repair bills, medical costs and insurance claims can escalate quickly — especially with certain vehicles.

A recent study by DJC Law revealed the ten cars with the priciest crash data, based on 2023 numbers including insurance rates, sales and accident data. Each vehicle earned a risk score, and the higher the score, the higher the financial cost of an accident.

Dodge Charger

• Risk score: 94.67
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 105%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 132%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 160%

Dodge not only tops the list with the Charger, it’s also one of the brands with two models in the top ten. The Charger has the highest average annual insurance rate at $2,208 and a high average base price of $30,200.  It also has the highest frequency of personal injury, bodily injury and medical payments claims.

Nissan Altima

• Risk score: 85.75
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 101%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 106%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 72%

The Altima comes in at number two with 14,752 accidents in 2023 and among the highest total loss claims at 1,947.

Kia Forte

• Risk score: 84.25
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 78%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 117%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 72%

Medical payment claims make up a significant portion of the Forte’s claims data, paired with insurance rates averaging $1,704 per year.

Chevrolet Malibu

• Risk score: 83.75
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 92%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 109%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 122%

One of two Chevrolets on the list, the Malibu was one of the top sellers with 158,385 sold, but its popularity doesn’t make it safer — just more expensive when things go wrong.

Nissan Sentra

• Risk score: 81
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 75%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 118%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 71%

The second Nissan on the list, the Sentra’s massive footprint — topping the list with 159,193 units sold — makes its risk score significant. Its high frequency of medical payment claims demonstrate the car’s potential costs.

Hyundai Elantra

• Risk score: 79.25
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 76%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 97%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 49%

The Elantra’s accident-to-sales ratio is one of the worst here. With over 12,700 crashes among 15,200 units sold, it’s a risky bet. Its lower rate of bodily injury claims is a silver lining, but hefty medical payment costs drag its score up.

Chevrolet Impala

• Risk score: 77.75
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 92%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 72%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 69%

The Impala’s lower insurance costs, $276 annually, don’t shield it from accident expenses. Its high base price of $28,500 and steady percentage of claims mean it’s still a financial burden if a crash happens.

Dodge Challenger

• Risk score: 74.75
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 52%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 73%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 109%

The second Dodge on the list, the Challenger had the lowest frequency of accidents, just 4,125. However, its high bodily injury costs and premium price tag of $34,400 means it makes the top ten.

Ford Mustang

• Risk score: 74.5
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 50%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 83%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 75%

Despite selling nearly 99,000 units in 2023, the Mustang’s risk comes from medical payment claims, which make up 83% of its crash-related costs.

Chevrolet Camaro

• Risk score: 71.5
• Frequency of personal injury claims: 56%
• Frequency of medical payment claims: 65%
• Frequency of bodily injury claims: 66%

Though the Camaro, the second Chevrolet on the list, has the lowest average annual insurance rate at $240, the percentage of claims is still concerning.

Editor’s note: The percentages for personal injury, medical payment and bodily injury claims are index values compared to an industry average, which is set at 100%.

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