Cheapest Cars to Insure: Affordable Vehicles with Low Premiums
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The car you drive plays a major role in how much you should plan to pay for insurance. The good news is there are some models that will get you lower premiums, making them ideal for budget-conscious drivers.
The cheapest cars to insure tend to have strong safety ratings, affordable repair costs, and lower accident risks. This guide ranks the top cheapest cars to insure and explains what makes them more affordable. You'll also learn key factors that influence insurance costs and how to find the best rates for your needs.
How Vehicle Choice Affects Insurance Costs
Not all cars are going to cost the same when it comes to insurance. Insurance companies assess vehicle types based on several risk factors, including safety ratings, theft rates, and repair costs.
Smaller SUVs often have lower insurance costs compared to mid-size sedans because they offer a good balance of safety and affordability. Luxury cars and high-performance vehicles carry higher repair expenses and accident risks, leading to higher premiums.
The type of vehicle you drive directly impacts your insurance rates, so choosing wisely can lead to significant savings.
Top Factors That Determine Car Insurance Costs
Several key factors influence how much you pay for insurance:
- Driver age and experience: Younger and inexperienced drivers typically pay higher premiums due to a greater likelihood of accidents.
- Location: Urban areas with higher traffic congestion and theft rates usually have higher insurance costs compared to rural areas.
- Driving history: A clean driving record with no accidents or violations can lead to lower premiums, while a history of claims increases rates.
- Safety features: Cars with advanced safety technology, such as automatic braking and lane departure warnings, can qualify for lower insurance premiums.
- Repair costs: Vehicles with expensive parts or complex repairs mean higher insurance rates.
- Accident and theft history: Cars with a track record of frequent claims tend to have higher insurance costs.
- Retail price: Higher-priced vehicles usually cost more to insure due to the increased cost of replacement. To save money, consider one of the cheapest used cars to insure, as older models often come with lower premiums.
- Vehicle types: Sports cars and high-performance models typically carry higher insurance rates due to increased accident risks.
The Top Cheapest Cars to Insure
Based on industry data, these are the cheapest cars to insure:
- Subaru Forester
- Subaru Outback
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Wrangler
- Ford Escape
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Nissan Rogue
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Tacoma
- Honda Pilot
Why These Cars Have Lower Insurance Rates
The cheapest-to-insure cars have several things in common. First, they come with top safety features that reduce the likelihood of injuries and damage, which helps lower claims. Second, they tend to have lower repair costs, making it easier for insurance companies to cover expenses after an accident. These vehicles also typically have lower theft rates, meaning less overall risk for insurers.
Many of the models on our list, like the Subaru Forester and Outback, are built with safety as a priority, featuring all-wheel drive and high crash-test ratings. The Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue are among the most popular SUVs, which means repair parts are widely available and affordable. Meanwhile, the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma are known for their durability, leading to fewer costly claims.
When you're looking for the cheapest insurance, choosing a vehicle with these characteristics can make a big difference.
Tips for Lowering Car Insurance Costs
Even if you don’t own one of the cars cheapest to insure, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs. Keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain a clean driving record: Avoiding accidents and traffic violations can significantly lower your premiums.
- Increase your deductible: Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly payments.
- Bundle policies: Many insurance companies offer discounts for customers who bundle auto and homeowners or rental insurance.
- Ask about discounts: Good driver, low mileage, and multi-car discounts can all help you save. Your employer or memberships may qualify you for group discounts.
- Consider usage-based insurance: Some insurers offer lower rates based on safe driving habits recorded through telematics devices.
How To Compare Insurance Quotes for Different Vehicles
Getting the best rate on car insurance requires comparing quotes from multiple providers. Follow these steps to find affordable coverage with the best car insurance companies:
- Get multiple quotes: Request an insurance quote from at least three different companies to compare rates.
- Consider coverage needs: Make sure you're comparing similar coverage levels when you look at different car insurance policies.
- Factor in discounts: Check for all the available discounts that could lower your premium.
- Evaluate customer service: A lower rate isn’t helpful if the insurance company has poor customer service or slow claims processing.
- Use online tools: Insurance comparison websites can simplify the process with online forms to help you find cheap car insurance.
Find Affordable Car Insurance Today!
By choosing a vehicle with a strong safety record and low repair costs, you can find the cheapest insurance coverage to fit your budget.
For a great price on car insurance, choosing the right car is just the first step. To get the lowest possible rate, you need to compare multiple quotes and take advantage of discounts. Premium rates vary by ZIP code, driving history, and vehicle, so you’ll want to compare custom options.
Start now with a quick and free customized insurance comparison from EverQuote.