10 Cheapest Cars to Insure in 2024

Looking for a new car? Don’t forget to take your future car insurance premium into account. Car insurance rates vary widely, and picking a specific model could save you hundreds of dollars on car insurance every month.

For example, the vehicle with the most affordable car insurance, the Subaru Forester, costs an average of $147 per month to insure; but the Infiniti Q50 costs an average of $296 per month to insure. Cost differences make it as important to compare insurance rates as vehicle features before you commit to buying a car.

Here’s how your vehicle’s make and model affect your car insurance and what you need to know about the cheapest cars to insure.

The top 10 cheapest cars to insure

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Subaru Forester (the cheapest car to insure) a 2023 Top Safety Pick.^[1] The second-cheapest vehicle to insure, the Subaru Outback, earned an IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick+ recognition.^[2]

Insurance companies consider vehicle safety features when determining rates, so driving a car with a top safety rating can help you save on car insurance.

Cheapest car brands to insure

Insurers consider many factors when they underwrite policies and determine premiums, including your vehicle’s model year, safety features, theft risk, and repair costs. Subaru is the cheapest car brand to insure, with an average monthly premium of $174 for full coverage, compared to $202 across all manufacturers.

Foreign and domestic brands were equally represented among the 10 cheapest car brands.

Editor’s Experience

Ashley Cox

Senior Managing Editor, Insurify

I drive a Honda CR-V, which is one of the cheapest vehicles to insure. Insurance costs weren’t the only factor I considered when I was used-car shopping. But choosing a safe car with affordable insurance was definitely up there on my list of "must-haves."

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Cheapest car types to insure

Common, affordable, reliable vehicles with safety and anti-theft features are generally the cheapest models to insure. Insurance companies view high-horsepower sports cars and expensive luxury or exotic vehicles as being at a higher risk for theft and accidents. Repairing or replacing higher-value vehicles is also more expensive for car insurance companies.

Among sedans, trucks, and SUVs, trucks have the lowest insurance rates, and sedans have the highest. The average truck costs about 16% less to insure than the average sedan, but rates vary widely among different vehicles.

Cheapest sedans to insure

Sedans cost an average of $219 monthly to insure, but some models are much cheaper to cover. Insurers consider the cost to repair or replace your car when setting rates. Nine out of the 10 cheapest sedans to insure cost less than $30,000. The Chevrolet Impala costs slightly more, with an MSRP of $31,620.

Cheapest SUVs to insure

The Honda CR-V is the SUV with the cheapest insurance, with an average monthly rate of $160 for full coverage, compared to $189 across all SUV models. An equal number of American and Japanese manufacturers made the 10 cheapest SUVs to insure. Ford and Chevrolet were the most represented brands among the 10 least expensive to cover.

Cheapest trucks to insure

Trucks, usually built with durability in mind, are the cheapest type of vehicle to insure, with an average monthly rate of $187 for full coverage. The RAM 1500 costs the least to cover, at $177 per month.

Why the car you drive affects your car insurance rates

Insurance companies consider multiple factors when pricing your quote, but they typically offer lower rates on cars with advanced safety features like collision-warning systems, lane-departure warnings, anti-lock brakes, adaptive cruise control, and rearview cameras. These features can reduce your risk of accidents and injuries, making you less likely to file a claim.

Insurance companies also rely on historical data, examining the accident rates and claims history associated with certain car models. Insurers typically view high-performance vehicles and sports cars as posing a greater risk of claims and charge accordingly. New cars have higher rates since the price of repairing or replacing a new vehicle is greater.

Luxury cars and vehicles with specialized parts also have high repair costs, and insurance companies consider those costs when determining applicable premiums. Car models with high theft rates can also have higher premiums, but anti-theft features often reduce the price of insurance.

Avoid these cars if you want cheaper car insurance

Sports cars and luxury vehicles typically have higher car insurance premiums because of their higher theft rates and expensive repair costs. Additionally, the higher horsepower in sports cars increases the risk of severe damage in an accident.^[3]

Electric cars can also be costly to insure. The 10 bestselling electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. cost an average of $253 per month to insure. If you want to keep your car insurance premium cheap, choose a common vehicle with easily replaceable parts, robust safety features, and less expensive car maintenance costs.

Most expensive cars to insure

If your car model has a high value, lacks safety features, or gets into more accidents than average, insurance companies might charge you more for car insurance. The theft risk is another common factor that influences insurance rates, so if your car is one of the most frequently stolen models, you could see that reflected in your premium.

The table below shows the most expensive cars to insure.

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How to lower your car insurance costs

Insurers look at numerous factors — including your ZIP code, age, driving history, credit history, type of vehicle, and additional features in your car — when determining your car insurance premium. While you can’t change your age or undo past accidents, you have ways to lower your auto insurance:

• Increase your full-coverage deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your collision and comprehensive insurance covers a claim. Setting a higher deductible will usually lower your monthly premium because you’re taking on more of the up-front costs. However, it’s important you never set a deductible higher than you can afford should you need to file a claim.

• Choose a car with advanced safety and anti-theft features. Many of the cheapest car models to insure come equipped with these features, which signals a lower risk of accidents or theft to insurance companies. Keep in mind your car choice could affect your rates the next time you buy or lease a vehicle.

• Take a safe driving course. Some companies offer a discount on car insurance if you complete a defensive driving course through your insurer or an approved third party. You can also contact your insurance company to find out what’s available to you. Typically, you’ll need to have a clean driving record for at least three years to qualify for a safe driving course discount.

• Join a usage-based insurance (UBI) program. Your insurance company may have an optional UBI telematics program that tracks driving behaviors — including hard braking, speeding, fast turns, and phone usage — through your car’s diagnostic system and your phone. Programs like DriveEasy by GEICO and Drivewise by Allstate reward a clean driving record, fewer accidents, and safe habits with lower rates.

• Shop around for a better rate. Regularly comparing quotes from several insurance companies ensures you’re not overpaying for car insurance. You can use an online quote-comparison tool to see multiple rates at once to help you shop.

Cheapest cars to insure FAQs