The 2018 Audi RS3 has made its debut in the US, and it’s the first model to do so in a few generations. As one of the world’s most expensive sedans, it tends to be pricey to insure, which is typical for Audis. The average cost of insuring an Audi is around $200 a month — or $2,400 a year.
Your premium varies depending on your provider, driving history, level of coverage and state. Car insurance is often cheaper in states like Maine and notoriously expensive in New Jersey, Minnesota and Georgia.
Audi RS3 insurance rates
Model
Monthly insurance rate
Base car price
A3
$191.00
$31,200
A4
$191.00
$34,900
A4 ALL ROAD
$132.00
$44,000
A5
$127.00
$41,200
A6
$136.00
$47,600
A7
$124.00
$68,800
A8
$191.00
$82,500
Q3
$191.00
$31,800
Q5
$138.00
$40,900
Q7
$197.00
$49,000
R8
$197.00
$162,900
RS7
$191
$110,700
S3
$132
$42,900
S5
$98
$53,100
S6
$132
$70,900
S7
$191
$79,900
S8
$191.00
$115,900
SQ5
$132.00
$53,300
TT
$128.00
$43,500
TTS
$125.00
$52,500
How we got this rate
To determine our estimated cost, we aggregated quotes from insurance companies using this profile:
Car insurance is customizable. Change providers or tweak your policy, level of coverage and extras to suit your situation, resulting in a competitive and flexible market.
Extras. Enhance your policy with extras like accident forgiveness and vanishing deductibles, depending on your insurer.
Restrictions. Due to high demand in the US, Audis are typically easy to insure. But many providers won’t cover teens driving high-end cars like the RS3. Some carriers impose restrictions on ridesharing and driving overseas too. Learn limitations now to avoid denied claims and gaps in coverage later.
Warranty. A four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty comes standard with any new Audi RS3. It includes four years of 24/7 roadside assistance, a 12-year warranty against corrosion perforation and the first scheduled maintenance service at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Does Audi have any special programs for the RS3?
Do you already own an Audi? Audi rewards loyal customers by putting $1,000 toward the purchase or lease of any new 2017 or 2018 model — including the RS3.
If you’re in the military, you may be eligible for Audi’s Military Sales and Expatriate Program. It offers special discounts for active-duty military, civilian and Department of Defense employees stationed outside of the US.
Your insurer may offer other discounts for loyalty to them, as well as for defensive driving and paying your premiums up front.
What factors affect car insurance for the Audi RS3?
The rate you’re offered reflects your provider, as well as your driving history, where you live and the car you drive. Insurers use their own algorithms that weigh mileage, body styling and engine power differently.
For an Audi RS3, your insurance premium is affected by:
Body type. The RS3 is a luxury four-door sedan. While compact, it’s powerful and expensive, so it tends to be on the pricier side to insure.
Fuel option. This model runs on premium gas and has a turbocharged engine, which could result in higher premiums.
Theft. The RS3 is not a frequently stolen vehicle. Audis have low theft rates in general, which is good news for insurance costs.
Repairs. While the RS3 is a sedan, it’s a high-performance one with sporty features, like a boost gauge and G-meter. It can be costly to replace the interior or repair body damage, which raises the price of insurance. However, Audi has a generous warranty and maintenance program.
Safety features. The RS3 is equipped with top-notch safety features, like airbags, electronic stability control and an antitheft alarm system. Insurance is a game of risk, and because these features lower the risk of damage in an accident, they often lead to lower rates.
Driver factors and insurance costs
When they’re crunching the numbers, insurers look at your age, gender and marital status in determining your rate. They’ll also consider your driving history and any violations, accidents and claims. If your driving record is free from major traffic violations in the past three to five years, you’ll most likely score a cheaper rate.
On top of your driving history, insurers take your credit history into account. Generally, the better your credit, the better your rate — though some providers specialize in covering drivers with poor credit.
Finally, they assess any other drivers you expect to get behind the wheel. If teenagers or anyone with a lead foot will be driving your car, expect a higher premium.
What discounts does the Audi RS3 qualify for?
Driver discounts aside, your provider may offer:
New car discount
Antitheft discount
Passive restraint discount
Automatic lights and wipers discount
These discounts can cut the cost of your premium by 5% to 30%, depending on your provider.
Reliability and safety ratings for the Audi RS3
The 2018 Audi RS3 hasn’t undergone crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It isn’t yet rated by U.S. News or JD Power because it’s only just rolling out in US showrooms.
While it hasn’t been officially tested, safety ratings are stellar for the rest of the new Audi fleet. Almost all of the 2018 Audi models rated by the NHTSA earned a 5-star safety rating.
The RS3 is equipped with excellent safety features like a power central locking system, a tire pressure monitoring system and an antilock braking system (ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake pressure distribution. It also has multiple front and side airbags, electronic stability control and an electromechanical parking brake. Families with small children will like lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) in the rear seats.
The NHTSA records two complaints about the model, one about the struggle to maneuver a booster seat in the back. Other reviewers say it’s a tight squeeze, especially for adults in the rear seats and drivers who need to push their seat forward to accommodate them.
Meanwhile, in 2018 Audi recalled specific 2018 RS3 vehicles for faulty rear-seat frame welding, and twice again in 2019 for missing latch pins for the center rear-seat head restraint, and faulty passenger airbag sensors.
In terms of fuel, the sedan’s tank size is 14.5 gallons. According to Fuel Economy, the average annual fuel cost for driving the RS3 is $2,350 per year.
That number reflects the current fuel prices of $50 to fill the tank and a mix of 45% highway and 55% city driving over 15,000 miles. Fuel Economy estimates that you’ll pay $4,000 more in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new vehicle.
The 2018 Audi RS3 was specifically designed for the US market
In the past, the Audi RS3 has been forbidden fruit for Americans. Car enthusiasts knew all about it, but the last two editions didn’t reach our shores.
The 2018 model skirted the trend. The sedan was developed specifically for the US market and caters to our roads, driving conditions and design preferences.
While the Audi RS3 is a sedan, it’s a high-end, high-performance car. That power, combined with its flashy design details, attracts car enthusiasts. In turn, insurers consider it risky to insure, which is why they tend to charge higher premiums than for other sedans.
To get the best value for your money, compare car insurance providers to find one that meets your needs and budget.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my premium if I file a claim?
It depends on the size of the claim — whether it’s a dented door or a totaled car — and your driving history. Many insurers don’t penalize customers for accidents and losses that aren’t their fault, though that’s contingent on your policy. If you cause a major accident or get charged with driving under the influence (DUI), expect your premium will likely increase.
How is the price of insurance affected if I upgrade my Audi?
Typically, the more expensive or techy a car, the pricier it is to insure.
For the RS3, Audi offers a string of extra packages. These range from the $1,400 Driver Assistance Bundle, which adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist features, to the $4,800 Technology Package. Because these features add value to the car and increase the potential cost of repairs, most providers charge higher rates.
What is Audi Prestige Insurance?
It’s Audi’s partnership with Liberty Mutual. If you insure your Audi with Liberty Mutual, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 10%, along with benefits like towing, new car replacement and accident forgiveness.
Katia Iervasi is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in insurance. Her writing and analysis on life, disability and health insurance has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. She holds a BA in communication from Australia's Griffith University.
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