Think carefully before you choose the model of your next car? Not only for gas economy, but also for insurance premium. Every dollar counts!

Most Expensive Cars to Insure:

1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2. Mercedes CL
3. Dodge SRT-4
4. Subaru Impreza WRX
5. Jaguar XK (convertible)

Lease Expensive Cars to Insure:

1. Volvo XC90
2. Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
3. GMC Safari
4. Buick Le Sabre
5. Nissan Pathfinder Armada (2004 only)

Why some cost more?

Collision damage costs are one of the main factors in differentiating the cost of insuring one type of car over another, says Rader. To a lesser extent, you also want to look at how attractive the car is to thieves.

Vehicles that top the insurance-cost list tend to be either high horsepower, high dollar or expensive to repair, Rader says. An expensive choice: "Sporty cars that are favored by young drivers who are risky drivers, so they are crashing a lot."

Higher horsepower means the driver is more likely to be going faster and getting into more accidents. That will send insurance rates up for everyone who owns a similar car.

Many of the vehicles that are expensive to insure "share a common problem, and that is horsepower," says Kim Hazelbaker, a senior vice president with the Highway Loss Data Institute.