What Are the Least Expensive Cars to Insure?
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Today’s cars are incredibly high-tech and packed with features like parking assistance and lane-departure warnings. Who would have guessed that a car could park itself or watch its own lane? While a shiny, new ride may have all the latest technology you want to turbocharge your driving safety, it can spike your auto insurance rates because of the higher repair costs.
Before you head out to buy a new car, it’s wise to look at the cost to insure it. We looked at the average car insurance rates of the 50 top-selling cars to identify the least expensive cars to insure.
Related: Compare Rates On Car Insurance With EverQuote
The 20 Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure
(Scroll right on the table to see average annual premiums for each vehicle)
| Vehicle | Average Annual Premium |
| Honda CR-V LX | $1,574 |
| Jeep Wrangler JL Sport | $1,585 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $1,606 |
| Subaru Forester 2.5I | $1,613 |
| Hyundai Tucson SE | $1,637 |
| Jeep Compass Latitude | $1,645 |
| Chevrolet Equinox L | $1,661 |
| Ford Escape S | $1,663 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan SE | $1,663 |
| Ford F-150 XL | $1,672 |
| Chevrolet Trax LS | $1,680 |
| Toyota Tacoma SR | $1,688 |
| Toyota RAV4 LE | $1,704 |
| Kia Sportage EX | $1,705 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan SE | $1,713 |
| Ford Edge SE | $1,722 |
| Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring | $1,729 |
| Chevrolet Traverse LS | $1,733 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | $1,733 |
| Ford Ranger Lariat | $1,748 |
| Source: Quadrant Information Services, based on a 30-year-old driver and 2021 models with full coverage, including liability limits of $100,000 per person for injury, $300,000 per accident for injury and $100,000 for property damage. | |
What Makes a Vehicle More Expensive to Insure?
The vehicle model you drive is a factor in determining how much you pay for car insurance. For example, consider these factors:
- Vehicles with expensive repair costs often result in higher car insurance rates. For example, if you need to replace the fuel pump on a BMW M4, it will cost over three times more than the average cost for other cars, according to Consumer Reports. The more complex and high-tech your car is, the more it usually costs to repair and insure—even though your insurance won’t cover the cost of normal wear-and-tear repairs.
- The frequency and cost of claims filed for similar vehicles is a factor in your car insurance rates. Let’s say your insurance company has paid out a substantial number of liability claims for a particular SUV. Your own rate will likely be affected if you own the same SUV.
- The value of your vehicle will contribute to your auto insurance cost. Suppose you cause an accident and your car is totaled. If you have collision coverage, the insurer will reimburse you for the value of your vehicle at the time of the accident, minus your deductible. If you have a vehicle that tends to retain a high value, your insurance rates for collision and comprehensive coverage will reflect that.
Related: Compare Rates On Car Insurance With EverQuote
Other Factors That Impact Auto Insurance Costs
While the car you drive plays a role in how much you pay for coverage, so do many other factors such as:
- Your driving record. Drivers with records free of tickets and violations will pay less than those who drive like the Fast and the Furious.
- Your insurance claims record. Have you made auto insurance claims in the recent past? These are likely affecting your current auto insurance rate.
- Where you live. Where you live and garage your car influences your rates. For example, car owners in urban areas will often pay more for insurance because of the higher frequency of accidents, car theft and vandalism.
- Your credit-based insurance score. Auto insurance companies often give substantial attention to your credit-based insurance score, which is much like your regular insurance score. Insurance companies say these scores predict the likelihood that you will file a claim. In some cases your credit can affect your car insurance rate even more than causing an accident.
- Your age. Inexperienced drivers tend to be young and have more accidents and traffic violations, so they pay more. Rates for young drivers generally begin to decline at age 25.
- Your deductible and coverage limits. The deductible you choose and the types of coverage you buy influence your rate. You can typically save money by increasing your collision and comprehensive deductibles—keeping in mind that you’ll pay a higher portion of the bill if you make a claim.
Related: Compare Rates On Car Insurance With EverQuote
