Does car colour really affect insurance premiums?

There’s a chance you’ve heard murmurings or even read theories online about how car colour affects insurance. A quick Google search on the subject will bring up lots of articles, reports and questions on how a splash of paint could make your wheels more or less likely to be stolen or involved in an accident.
Let’s try and make sense of it all.
It ain’t easy being a green car
In the years between 2011/12 and 2015/16, the number of green cars stolen increased dramatically. That’s according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council’s 2017 report ‘Theft Matters.’
In fact, surprisingly the research showed that green cars had the highest theft rate and black cars the second. Although the motives for stealing a car in the first place also had some bearing on the statistics. For example, according to the research a green Holden Commodore VT was more likely to be the victim of a short term theft, while a black Holden Commodore VT was more likely to be stolen for a profit. In other words, someone looking for a quick getaway vehicle after a bank heist might go for green, while someone else looking for a car to resell and make some money off, might opt for black.
The visibility index
When it comes to car colour and crash risk, light conditions are an important factor.
In a 2007 report from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, it was revealed that cars lower on the visibility index were at a higher crash risk in lower light. So, black, blue, grey, green, red and silver cars were a higher risk at dawn, dusk or even during the night.
The report found that no other car colour was statistically safer than white. Although the type of car also threw up some variations in the results.
Mozo’s car quote research
As part of Mozo’s 2020 car insurance report, we looked at the average insurance quote for different car colours.

As you can see black cars were quoted the highest on average for insurance, while green cars were the lowest. While this could be to do with a higher theft rate for black cars, we can’t really speculate.
However, after looking at these statistics and reports, it is clear that there is some correlation between car colour and theft and accident risk. Although it is important to remember that car colour is just one of many factors that could influence these things. Others are how safely you drive and where you park your car at night.
Perhaps if you have your eye on a particular model of car and colour, consider doing some research first. Find out what the car theft stats are on it and whether or not it has a reputation for being at a higher crash risk.
Lastly, if you are paying a lot for car insurance, why not shop around and see if you could get a better deal. Take a look at the comprehensive car insurance policies below to get started.
Compare comprehensive car insurance - last updated 8 February 2025
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Comprehensive Car Insurance
Yes costs extra
Agreed or Market
$400 - $2,500
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Making sure your car insurance is about where you’re at right now could save you lots. Start a quote with Youi today and see what you could save.
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Making sure your car insurance is about where you’re at right now could save you lots. Start a quote with Youi today and see what you could save.
- Monthly premiums available
- Yes costs extra
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed or Market
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,500
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Discounts available
- -
- Quote time
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Comprehensive Car Insurance
Yes costs extra
Agreed or Market
$500 - $2,300
Optional Extra
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums available
- Yes costs extra
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed or Market
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $2,300
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Discounts available
- Online discount $75 off new policies
- Quote time
- 6 to 8 minutes
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Value Car Insurance - 2024
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Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Yes costs extra
Agreed or Market
$550 - $1,900 (varies by state)
Optional Extra
Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
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Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- Monthly premiums available
- Yes costs extra
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed or Market
- Choice of excess
- $550 - $1,900 (varies by state)
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Discounts available
- No claim discount|Online discount 15% on first years premium
- Quote time
- 2 to 3 minutes
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Value Car Insurance - 2024
- Exceptional Value Young Driver Insurance - 2024
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Yes
Agreed
$800 flat excess fee
No
No additional excess for young drivers, lodge a claim 24/7 and zero cancellation fees. Hire car is included up to $80 per day for up to 21 days; cover for one tow to our nearest authorised repairer, following a covered incident. No excess on your first covered windscreen, sunroof, and window glass damage once per insurance period. List multiple cars and drivers under the one policy as long as they fit the underwriting criteria (excludes Safe ’n Save policies).
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
No additional excess for young drivers, lodge a claim 24/7 and zero cancellation fees. Hire car is included up to $80 per day for up to 21 days; cover for one tow to our nearest authorised repairer, following a covered incident. No excess on your first covered windscreen, sunroof, and window glass damage once per insurance period. List multiple cars and drivers under the one policy as long as they fit the underwriting criteria (excludes Safe ’n Save policies).
- Monthly premiums available
- Yes
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed
- Choice of excess
- $800 flat excess fee
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Discounts available
- Get 10% off the base premium for the first 2 consecutive monthly policies and up to a 15% potential monthly discount from your 3rd month for being a safer driver. Minimum premiums may apply. T&Cs apply.
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