Insuring a Bentley

The name Bentley is synonymous with luxury and refinement. These vehicles are almost entirely made by hand, and a very limited number of them are produced each year. As a result, these vehicles come with astronomically high price tags. Of course, those who are in the market for high-end, ultra-luxury cars don't bat an eyelash when presented with MSRPs that are well into the six digits. The price of a vehicle has a profound influence on how much it costs to protect it, so these models tend to be among the most expensive cars to insure and join Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces at the priciest end of the list.

Brief History

Bentley Motors is headquartered in Crewe, Cheshire in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Walter Owen Bentley in 1919, but the first model was not produced until 1921. Ownership of the company has changed hands several times through the years. Volkswagen owned the automaker for a while, and the brand is currently owned by BMW. The brand's distinctive style was revived by the Mulsanne Turbo in the 1980s. In addition to being revered for its exceptional attention to detail, the automaker is famous for producing models that are equipped with extremely powerful engines. 12-cylinder engines that are capable of more than 600 horsepower are prominently featured.

Ultra-High MSRPs Drive Up Insurance Prices

Insurance companies charge higher premiums for more expensive cars because they come with more expensive claims. Although official figures about the average cost to insure these cars are not available, it is safe to assume that insuring them is in the same ballpark as insuring Rolls-Royce vehicles. The average yearly Rolls-Royce premium is around $2,800, so you can expect to pay around that amount to insure one of these luxury offerings, should you be lucky enough to buy one for yourself.

Theft is Not a Contributing Factor

Very few models are produced each year. The ones that are produced are snapped up by people who generally have the means to keep them safely under lock and key. As a result, theft rates are very low. In fact, no Bentleys were stolen in 2009, at least according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA. As a result, it is safe to say that theft rates do not play a role in the average insurance policy.

Safety has a Negligible Effect on Insurance Premiums

In most cases, a vehicle's safety ratings and safety features play huge roles in how much they cost to protect. That isn't the case with these cars because they are in an entirely different class than most automobiles. Bentleys are typically enhanced with a broad array of important safety features. However, the most important factor in the price of insuring these models is their price. The 2012 Mulsanne, for example, has a starting MSRP of $290,000. On the "cheaper" end of the scale, the 2012 Continental Flying Spur has a starting MSRP of $184,200.

Although it takes a lot of money to buy car insurance for these luxury offerings, those who can afford these exceptionally luxurious automobiles are typically more than happy to pay their monthly insurance premiums. The high cost of insuring these cars can be lowered with a good driving record and enhanced anti-theft devices.