Cars that cost less to insure share predictable traits: they are older, have smaller engines, carry lower repair costs, and have strong safety records

Insurance companies price premiums based on the cost to repair or replace a vehicle after an accident, the likelihood of theft, and historical claims data for that make and model. A car that is cheap to buy is not necessarily cheap to insure — a used luxury sedan might have expensive parts, while a ten-year-old Honda Civic has abundant aftermarket components and a large repair network that keeps labor costs down. The vehicles with the lowest insurance costs tend to be mid-size sedans and compact cars from manufacturers with high production volumes, combined with safety features that reduce injury claims.

Your actual premium depends on your age, driving record, location, coverage type, and deductible choice. A 25-year-old with a speeding ticket will pay more to insure a Honda Accord than a 50-year-old with a clean record, even though the car is the same. This guide describes which vehicle types and specific models historically carry lower insurance costs, and what features insurers look at when pricing.

Key Takeaways

  • Mid-size sedans like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima consistently rank among the cheapest to insure because parts are inexpensive and repair shops are abundant.
  • Compact cars such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have lower repair costs and strong safety ratings, which reduces both collision and injury-related claims.
  • Vehicles with high theft rates — including some older pickup trucks and sports cars — carry higher insurance costs even if repair costs are low.
  • Safety features like automatic emergency braking and stability control can lower your premium by 10 to 25 percent, depending on your insurer.
  • A car's age, engine size, and body type matter more than its purchase price; a five-year-old practical sedan will cost less to insure than a new sports coupe.

Mid-size sedans with the lowest insurance costs

The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry appear on nearly every insurer's list of lowest-cost vehicles. Both have been in production for decades, meaning repair shops nationwide stock parts and technicians know how to work on them. A fender or door for a 2015 Accord costs less than the same part for a 2015 Infiniti Q50, even though both are mid-size sedans. Insurance companies track the average cost to repair each model year and use that data to set rates.

The Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima also rank low because they are common, have moderate engine sizes, and carry good safety ratings. The Sonata and Optima are particularly affordable to insure because Hyundai and Kia have lower labor rates at their certified repair shops compared to luxury brands. A 2018 Sonata will typically cost 15 to 30 percent less per year to insure than a 2018 BMW 3 Series, even though both are four-door sedans in a similar size range.

Avoid mid-size sedans marketed as performance variants — the Dodge Charger R/T or Chrysler 300S, for example. These carry higher insurance costs because they have larger engines, higher horsepower, and more expensive parts. An insurer will charge more for a Charger than an Accord, regardless of the body style similarity.

Compact cars and hatchbacks with lower premiums

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are the two most commonly insured compact cars in the United States, which means insurers have extensive claims data and can price accurately. Both models have been produced in high volume for over 20 years, so used parts are cheap and widely available. A Civic repair typically costs 20 to 40 percent less than a comparable repair on a Volkswagen Golf or Mazda3, even though all three are compact hatchbacks.

The Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte offer similar cost advantages. Both are manufactured domestically or regionally, which reduces parts costs. The Toyota Prius, despite being a hybrid, ranks low on insurance costs because the hybrid powertrain is now common enough that repair networks exist and parts prices have stabilized. Insurers do not charge a premium for hybrid technology itself; they charge based on repair cost and claims history.

Hatchbacks and compact cars with turbocharged engines — the Civic Si, Hyundai Veloster Turbo, or Ford Focus ST — carry higher premiums than their non-turbocharged counterparts because turbochargers are expensive to repair and insurers associate them with younger, higher-risk drivers. If you are shopping for a compact car to minimize insurance cost, choose the base or mid-trim engine option rather than the performance version.

Why pickup trucks and SUVs cost more to insure

Full-size pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado have high insurance costs for two reasons: they are frequently stolen, and repair costs are high. The F-150 has been the most-stolen vehicle in the United States for over a decade, which means insurers price theft risk into the premium. A 2015 F-150 will cost significantly more to insure than a 2015 Accord, even though the truck may have cost less to purchase.

SUVs and crossovers vary widely. A Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 — both common, practical models — will cost less to insure than a full-size Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition because the larger vehicles have higher repair costs and higher injury claim costs due to their weight and size. Luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE carry premiums 40 to 60 percent higher than comparable mid-size sedans because parts are expensive and specialized labor is required.

If you need an SUV or truck, the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Santa Fe rank among the lowest-cost options in their categories. All three are produced in high volume, have good safety ratings, and have low theft rates.

How vehicle age and engine size affect insurance rates

A five-year-old Honda Civic will cost less to insure than a brand-new Civic, all else equal. Newer vehicles have higher repair costs because parts are more expensive and labor rates are higher at dealerships. However, newer vehicles often have better safety features — automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, blind-spot monitoring — which can lower premiums by 10 to 25 percent depending on your insurer. The net effect varies by model and insurer.

Engine size matters because larger engines are associated with higher repair costs and, in some cases, higher injury claims. A four-cylinder engine will cost less to insure than a six-cylinder or eight-cylinder engine in the same vehicle model. A Honda Accord with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder costs less to insure than an Accord with a 3.5-liter V6, even though both are the same model year and body style.

Vehicles older than 10 years may see insurance costs plateau or even rise slightly, depending on the model. Older vehicles have higher repair costs due to parts scarcity, and they may lack modern safety features. A 2010 Civic will cost less to insure than a 2015 Civic, but a 2000 Civic may cost more than the 2010 model because parts are harder to find and the vehicle lacks airbags or stability control that newer models have.

Safety features that lower your premium

Automatic emergency braking, electronic stability control, and lane-keeping information reduce injury claims and are rewarded by most insurers. Some companies offer discounts of 10 to 25 percent for vehicles equipped with these features. The discount varies by insurer and by state — there is no single national standard. Contact your insurer to ask which safety features may have access to for a discount on your specific policy.

Anti-theft devices and alarms can lower premiums by 5 to 15 percent, though the discount is smaller than safety feature discounts. Passive systems — those that work automatically without driver action — are more valuable to insurers than active systems that require the driver to arm them. A car with factory-installed GPS tracking will receive a larger discount than one with an aftermarket alarm.

If you are choosing between two vehicles with similar repair costs, the one with more standard safety features will likely cost less to insure. Check the window sticker or manufacturer website to see which safety features come standard on each trim level, then ask your insurer whether those features may have access to for a discount before you purchase.

Vehicles to avoid if insurance cost matters

Sports cars and performance vehicles carry the highest insurance costs. A Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, or Ford Mustang will cost 50 to 100 percent more to insure than a comparable mid-size sedan, even if the purchase price is similar. Insurers associate these vehicles with higher-risk driving behavior and higher injury claim costs due to their weight and power.

Luxury brands — BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus — carry higher premiums because parts are expensive and labor rates at authorized repair shops are high. A 2018 BMW 3 Series costs significantly more to insure than a 2018 Honda Accord, even though both are mid-size sedans. The difference narrows as both vehicles age, but luxury brands remain more expensive to insure throughout their lifespan.

Vehicles with high theft rates include older pickup trucks (2000s Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado models), certain Dodge Chargers, and some Jeep Wranglers. Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau's annual theft report to see which models rank highest in your region, as theft rates vary by geography. A vehicle that is frequently stolen in one state may be rarely stolen in another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does buying a used car instead of new really save money on insurance?

Yes, typically 15 to 30 percent per year depending on the model. Newer vehicles have higher repair costs because parts are more expensive and labor rates are higher at dealerships. However, newer vehicles often have better safety features that can offset some of that cost. A five-year-old Accord will cost less to insure than a brand-new Accord, but a brand-new Accord with advanced safety features may cost less than a ten-year-old Accord without them.

Will my insurance cost go down if I add safety features to an older car?

Aftermarket safety features like dash cams or GPS trackers may may have access to for small discounts (5 to 10 percent), but most insurers do not discount for aftermarket additions to older vehicles. Factory-installed features on newer vehicles receive larger discounts. If you are considering upgrading an older vehicle, ask your insurer first whether the specific feature qualifies for a discount.

What if I want a truck but need low insurance costs?

Mid-size trucks like the Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma cost less to insure than full-size trucks because they have lower repair costs and lower theft rates. The Ridgeline in particular ranks among the lowest-cost trucks to insure. Avoid older F-150s and Silverados, which have high theft rates and will carry higher premiums regardless of their age or condition.

Does the color of the car affect insurance cost?

No. Insurance companies do not adjust premiums based on vehicle color. This is a common myth. Your premium is based on the make, model, year, engine size, safety features, and your personal driving record — not on whether the car is red, blue, or silver.

How much can I save by choosing a low-insurance car instead of a sports car?

The difference varies by model and insurer, but typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 per year. A 25-year-old driver insuring a Dodge Challenger might pay $2,500 to $3,500 annually, while the same driver insuring a Honda Accord might pay $1,200 to $1,800 annually. The gap narrows for older drivers with clean records, but the low-insurance car will almost always cost less.