Find the most affordable cars to insure and learn what factors affect insurance costs.
Cheapest Cars to Insure (2026)
Average annual insurance costs based on full coverage for a 35-year-old driver with clean record
Top 10 Cheapest Cars to Insure
| Rank | Vehicle | Annual Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda CR-V | $1,285 |
| 2 | Subaru Outback | $1,310 |
| 3 | Honda Odyssey | $1,325 |
| 4 | Jeep Wrangler | $1,340 |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | $1,355 |
| 6 | Mazda CX-5 | $1,365 |
| 7 | Toyota RAV4 | $1,380 |
| 8 | Honda Accord | $1,395 |
| 9 | Toyota Camry | $1,410 |
| 10 | Ford Escape | $1,425 |
Cheapest by Category
| Category | Cheapest Model | Annual Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Honda Civic | $1,420 |
| SUV | Honda CR-V | $1,285 |
| Minivan | Honda Odyssey | $1,325 |
| Truck | Ford F-150 (base) | $1,510 |
| Compact | Toyota Corolla | $1,445 |
| Midsize | Toyota Camry | $1,410 |
Most Expensive Cars to Insure
| Rank | Vehicle | Annual Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maserati Quattroporte | $4,200+ |
| 2 | BMW M8 | $3,800+ |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG GT | $3,600+ |
| 4 | Tesla Model S Plaid | $3,400+ |
| 5 | Dodge Charger SRT | $3,200+ |
Expensive Categories
| Category | Avg Insurance |
|---|---|
| Sports cars | $2,500-$4,000+ |
| Luxury sedans | $2,000-$3,500 |
| High-performance | $2,500-$4,000+ |
| Exotic cars | $4,000-$10,000+ |
Insurance Cost by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Minivan | $1,350 |
| Small SUV | $1,420 |
| Midsize sedan | $1,450 |
| Compact car | $1,475 |
| Midsize SUV | $1,520 |
| Full-size sedan | $1,550 |
| Pickup truck | $1,580 |
| Large SUV | $1,650 |
| Sports car | $2,100 |
| Luxury car | $2,300 |
What Makes Cars Cheap to Insure?
| Factor | Impact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Safety ratings | Major | Fewer injuries = lower claims |
| Repair costs | Major | Cheap parts = cheaper claims |
| Theft rates | Moderate | Less theft = fewer total losses |
| Vehicle size | Moderate | Larger often means safer |
| Driver demographics | Moderate | Who typically drives it |
| Claim history | Moderate | Model’s track record |
Signs of Cheap-to-Insure Cars
| Good Signs | Bad Signs |
|---|---|
| High safety ratings | Sports car designation |
| Common parts | Expensive repair shops only |
| Low theft rates | High theft target |
| Family-oriented | Young driver appeal |
| Moderate horsepower | High horsepower |
Cheapest New Cars to Insure
| Vehicle | MSRP | Annual Insurance | Total Year 1 Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Versa | $16,500 | $1,450 | $17,950 |
| Kia Forte | $19,500 | $1,420 | $20,920 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $21,000 | $1,435 | $22,435 |
| Toyota Corolla | $22,000 | $1,445 | $23,445 |
| Honda Civic | $24,000 | $1,420 | $25,420 |
Cheapest Used Cars to Insure
3-5 years old
| Vehicle | Used Price | Annual Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | $22,000 | $1,180 |
| Toyota Camry | $18,000 | $1,220 |
| Subaru Outback | $24,000 | $1,210 |
| Honda Accord | $20,000 | $1,250 |
| Mazda CX-5 | $21,000 | $1,240 |
Insurance often cheaper on used cars due to lower vehicle value
Electric Vehicle Insurance Costs
| EV Model | Annual Insurance | vs. Similar Gas Car |
|---|---|---|
| Chevy Bolt | $1,650 | +15% more |
| Nissan Leaf | $1,550 | +12% more |
| Tesla Model 3 | $2,100 | +25% more |
| Tesla Model Y | $2,200 | +22% more |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $1,850 | +18% more |
Why EVs cost more to insure:
- Expensive battery repairs
- Specialized mechanics needed
- Higher vehicle values
- Newer technology = uncertainty
Insurance by Driver Profile
Same car (Honda CR-V), different drivers:
| Driver Profile | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| 35-year-old, clean record | $1,285 |
| 25-year-old, clean record | $1,650 |
| 20-year-old, clean record | $2,100 |
| 45-year-old, clean record | $1,200 |
| 35-year-old, 1 accident | $1,750 |
| 35-year-old, 1 speeding ticket | $1,480 |
Tips to Lower Insurance Costs
Choose the Right Vehicle
| Strategy | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| High safety ratings | 5-10% off |
| Low horsepower | 10-20% off |
| Anti-theft devices | 5-15% off |
| Common model | Lower repair costs |
Other Discounts
| Discount | Typical Savings |
|---|---|
| Bundle home + auto | 10-25% |
| Good driver | 10-30% |
| Low mileage | 5-15% |
| Defensive driving course | 5-10% |
| Good student (under 25) | 8-15% |
| Pay in full | 5-10% |
| Automatic payments | 3-5% |
Full Coverage vs Liability-Only
| Coverage Type | Honda CR-V Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $1,285/year | Newer cars, loans/leases |
| Liability only | $480/year | Older cars, paid off |
Rule of thumb: Drop full coverage when annual premium > 10% of car’s value
Shopping for Insurance
Compare Multiple Quotes
| Insurer | Same Driver, Same Car | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer A | $1,285 | Lowest |
| Insurer B | $1,450 | +12% |
| Insurer C | $1,620 | +26% |
| Insurer D | $1,380 | +7% |
Prices vary 20-40% between insurers for the same coverage
When to Shop
- Before buying a new car
- At renewal time
- After major life changes
- If rates increase
- Every 1-2 years
Related: Auto Loan Rates | How Much Car Can I Afford? | Best Auto Insurance