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The Cheapest Cars to Insure

Last updated: February 26th, 2024

When shopping for a new car, it’s important to keep your budget in mind. In addition to the vehicle price, you should also consider expenses like gas, maintenance, and car insurance. The cost of car insurance can vary significantly depending on your car’s make, model, year, and trim level.

To help you choose the most affordable vehicle for your situation, we analyzed recent rate data to find the least expensive cars to insure out of popular 2023 models.

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Our rates are based on public rate filings obtained by analytics company First Interpreter. While we may partner with some of the carriers you see on our site, we maintain editorial independence and it does not affect the rates you see. Read more about our rating methodology or see our rigorous editorial policy.

Which car costs the least to insure?

While there isn’t a single vehicle that is the cheapest to insure for all drivers, according to our average rate data, the Subaru Outback has the lowest car insurance rates. The average premium for a Subaru Outback is $1,691 per year, which is about $141 per month.

In the table below, you can see the average cost of car insurance for the least expensive cars to insure out of the top 100 most popular 2023 models:

Model	Average Annual Premium
Subaru Outback	1,839
Subaru Forester	1,893
Mazda CX-5	1,941
Volkswagen Tiguan	1,968
Jeep Wrangler	1,972
Chevrolet TrailBlazer	1,989
Honda HR-V	2,002
Hyundai Kona	2,026
Hyundai Tuscon	2,032
Kia Sportage	2,032
Hyundai Tuscon	2,032
Ram ProMaster 3500	2,039
Honda Odyssey	2,047
Subaru Impreza	2,049
Toyota RAV4	2,049
Chevrolet Express 2500	2,062
Buick Encore	2,073
Acura RDX	2,083
Hyundai Santa Fe	2,086
Ford Transit Cargo XL	2,094
Kia Soul	2,101
Honda Pilot	2,106
Ram ProMaster 2500	2,127
Ford Escape	2,133
Ford Transit Connect Passenger	2,144
Toyota Highlander	2,195

Annual rates for a single 35-year-old male, estimated using public rate filings sourced from First Interpreter. Rates do not represent actual quotes. Accurate as of January 2024.

What is the least expensive type of car to insure?

You might be surprised to learn that your vehicle type can have a big impact on the cost of your auto insurance.

In general, the least expensive car types to insure are SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. These vehicle classes usually have improved safety features which make a total loss less likely, and replacement parts may be more easily accessible due to their popularity. Both of these factors likely contribute to lower insurance premiums, since insurance companies will pay less to repair them in the event of a claim. They also tend to have lower value than electric vehicles (EVs), luxury cars, and sports cars, so the cost of car insurance is usually more affordable.

What does it cost to insure my vehicle?

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What are the least expensive car brands to insure?

The least expensive car brands to insure are Subaru, Honda, Chevrolet, and Hyundai. The Subaru Outback has the cheapest average insurance premiums based on our data, followed closely by the Subaru Forester respectively.

Subaru

Subarus with cheap insurance:
1. Subaru Outback
2. Subaru Forester
3. Subaru Impreza

Honda

Hondas with cheap insurance:
1. Honda HR-V
2. Honda Odyssey
3. Honda Pilot

Chevrolet

Chevrolets with cheap insurance:
1. Chevrolet TrailBlazer
2. Chevrolet Express
3. Chevrolet Equinox

Hyundai

Hyundais with cheap insurance:
1. Hyundai Tucson
2. Hyundai Kona
3. Hyundai Santa Fe

However, that doesn’t mean these car brands are the cheapest for everyone. Car insurance rates depend on a variety of factors, including your location, age, credit score, driving record, and claims history. Comparing quotes can help you find the lowest rate.

To find the cheapest car insurance for your situation and vehicle type, you can use our online comparison tool to compare quotes in 30 seconds.

What are the least expensive sports cars to insure?

Sports cars often have some of the highest car insurance premiums. However, some makes and models have lower rates than others. According to our research, the least expensive sports cars to insure are the Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and Ford Mustang.

Cost of car insurance for popular sports cars

Model	Premium
Ford Mustang	2,660
Dodge Challenger	2,922
Dodge Charger	3,186

What is the least expensive new car to insure?

If you want to purchase a brand-new vehicle, you should budget for higher insurance premiums, even if you get a model with low average rates. We found that the least expensive new car to insure in 2023 is the Subaru Outback. Following closely behind are the Subaru Forester, as well as the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Which used cars have the lowest insurance rates?

When shopping for an affordable vehicle, picking a used model can be a great financial decision. Because used cars have already depreciated, they tend to be less expensive to insure than brand-new models.

However, there isn’t one used vehicle make and model that is cheaper to insure than the rest. If you buy a used car, the same car insurance rating factors apply. Your location, credit score, claims history, coverage limits, and deductibles will impact the cost of your policy. And depending on the vehicle, there’s no guarantee that a used car will be cheaper to insure than a new car.

Compare car insurance cost between two vehicles

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Vehicle factors that impact car insurance rates

Besides the personal and policy factors that contribute to your premium, there are also vehicle factors that can impact your rate. Here are some of the vehicle-related factors that car insurance companies consider when calculating your premium:

Vehicle make and model: Your car’s make and model can have a big impact on the cost of your car insurance policy. Luxury vehicles, sports cars, and SUVs often have some of the highest premiums. In general, vehicles with more value cost more to insure.
Model year: Used cars almost always have less expensive insurance rates than new cars. When you apply for car insurance, you will need to include the model year and mileage, if it’s used. Getting a used car can help you save money on insurance.
Safety ratings: Several industry organizations, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publish safety ratings and crash test reports for new vehicles. Cars with the highest safety ratings sometimes have lower premiums because there’s less risk of a serious accident occurring.
Safety features: Cars that have more advanced safety features, such as a forward collision warning system, blind spot monitoring, anti-lock brakes, or an anti-theft device, tend to have lower insurance rates. Many insurers also offer discounts to drivers who insure a car with these safety features and others.

How much should I expect to pay to insure my car?

Personalized rate estimates at the top insurance companies in your state

Your rates will vary based on where you live, your age, and other factors like your driving record

Cheapest car insurance companies

Each car insurance company charges different rates for different people based on several factors including the car you drive, where you live, and personal factors like your driving record. Because of this, the cheapest car insurance companies for you might be different than the cheapest car insurance companies for a neighbor or friend.

Here is the average cost for car insurance at national car insurance companies:

Company	Average Annual Premium
USAA	1,457
Progressive	1,497
Nationwide	1,602
Geico	1,669
Auto-Owners Insurance	1,698
Travelers	1,818
State Farm	1,967
Farmers	2,476
Allstate	2,504

Annual rates for a male driving a 2023 RAV4, estimated using public rate filings sourced from First Interpreter. Rates do not represent actual quotes. Accurate as of January 2024.

The above rates only represent companies that serve a large portion of the United States. You might find that they do not provide coverage in your state, or that local insurance companies will offer you better rates. To find the company that will give you the cheapest car insurance, it’s importanat to compare rates at number of companies near you.

How to get cheap car insurance

The best way to get cheap car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. The only way to know you found the cheapest car insurance for you is to compare rates at all insurance companies near you.

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Frequently asked

What is the least expensive car to insure for a teenager?

The least expensive car to insure for a teenager is likely the same as the cheapest car to insure for all drivers. That means a Subaru Outback is probably the cheapest car for teens and adults. However, teens generally pay much higher car insurance rates than more experienced drivers. To get a cheaper rate, teens should get multiple quotes and look for insurers that offer discounts for young drivers or good students.

Is a car or SUV cheaper to insure?

A standard car, like a sedan, is usually cheaper to insure than an SUV. Out of all vehicle types, SUVs tend to have some of the highest insurance rates, due to their value. However, there are likely some sedans that have more expensive premiums than some SUVs, so it’s important to compare quotes to find the cheapest policy.

Is a truck or car cheaper to insure?

Cars are usually cheaper to insure than trucks. While some pickup trucks have low rates, trucks with a higher value and brand-new trucks could be more expensive to insure.

Are newer or older cars cheaper to insure?

Older cars are often the least expensive vehicles to insure, whereas brand-new cars usually cost the most to insure. If you’re looking to save money, choosing a used car can be a good option.

What color car is the least expensive to insure?

The color of your car has no impact on the cost of your car insurance policy. It’s a myth that red cars cost more to insure. You can choose any vehicle color without worrying about how it will affect your car insurance premium.

Methodology

Rate Retriever rates are based on public rate filings obtained by analytics company First Interpreter. This data comes from the rating plans insurance carriers submit to each state’s department of insurance. Rating plans detail how each carrier calculates premiums using factors such as location, age, gender, and driving record, and they ensure that insurance premiums are both fair and competitive.

For the data on this page, we made the following assumptions: a 35-year-old single male with a clean driving record and Good credit score. We adjusted this profile by vehicle make, model, trim, and year to determine the rates you see on this page.

These rates are not actual quotes and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your rates can vary significantly based on your unique driver profile.

About Rate Retriever

At Rate Retriever, our mission is to make the way you shop for insurance transparent and fair through user-friendly tools that respect your privacy and deliver reliable, comprehensive results.

So we took everything we hated about comparing insurance quotes online – the spam, the long questionnaires, the limited choices, the inaccuracy of quote prices – and threw it out the window, favoring a short form that more accurately estimates what you’ll pay at each of the top insurance providers near you.

Rate Retriever is an independent company that is not owned by an insurance provider, nor do we provide insurance ourselves. This independence allows us to be your free and impartial insurance research tool, helping you make the best decisions for your insurance needs.

We may earn a commission when you click one of the links or call one of the providers listed on our site; however, we do not allow our partnerships to influence which information we provide.