Which Cars Cost Less to Insure

The cars with the lowest insurance costs are usually older, common models with good safety records and no high-performance features

Insurance companies charge based on what it costs them to repair a car, how often that model gets stolen, how often drivers of that model file claims, and how much damage the car absorbs in a crash. A Honda Civic costs less to insure than a BMW M440i because Civics are cheap to fix, rarely stolen, and their drivers file fewer claims. A 2015 Toyota Corolla will cost less than a 2024 Corolla because older cars are worth less, so repairs cost less and theft payouts are smaller.

The specific cheapest car in your area depends on your age, driving record, and which insurance company you call — rates vary widely. But the types of cars that consistently cost less to insure are sedans and hatchbacks from Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai; vehicles with four cylinders instead of six or eight; and cars at least three to five years old.

Key Takeaways

• Insurance costs more for sports cars, luxury brands, and trucks because repairs are expensive and claims are frequent.
• Older model years of the same car cost less to insure because the car is worth less and repairs are cheaper.
• Four-cylinder sedans from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai typically have the lowest insurance rates across most insurers.
• Your own age, driving record, and location matter more than the car itself — a 16-year-old in a Civic may pay more than a 40-year-old in a Mustang.
• The only way to know what a specific car will cost you is to get a quote from the insurers you are considering.

Why some cars cost more to insure than others

Insurance companies use loss history — data on how much money they paid out for each make and model over many years. If Honda Civics are involved in fewer accidents and cost less to repair when they are, that model gets a lower rate. If Dodge Chargers are stolen frequently or their drivers file many claims, the rate goes up.

The second factor is repair cost. A fender-bender on a Honda Civic costs $800 to fix. The same damage on a BMW costs $2,500 because the parts are expensive and the labor is specialized. Insurance companies know this and charge accordingly.

A third factor is safety ratings. Cars that perform well in crash tests and have modern safety features like automatic emergency braking may get small discounts because they reduce the severity of accidents. This matters less than repair cost and loss history, but it moves the needle.

Performance and engine size matter too. A V8 truck or a sports car with a turbocharged engine will cost more to insure than an identical body style with a four-cylinder engine, because insurers see higher claims for those vehicles.

Car models that typically have the lowest insurance rates

Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra, and Hyundai Sonata are consistently among the cheapest to insure across most major insurers. These are all mid-size or compact sedans with four-cylinder engines, good safety records, and low repair costs.

Mazda3, Mazda6, Kia Forte, and Kia Optima fall into the same category — affordable to repair, common enough that parts are cheap, and driven by people who file fewer claims. Hatchbacks like the Honda Fit and Toyota Corolla Hatchback also tend to be inexpensive to insure.

Pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado are more expensive to insure than sedans, even though they are common. Trucks cost more to repair, and their drivers file more claims. SUVs and crossovers fall in the middle — more expensive than sedans, but cheaper than sports cars or luxury vehicles.

Avoid sports cars (Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang), luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi), and high-performance versions of regular cars (Civic Si, Accord Type R) if insurance cost is your main concern. These carry higher rates because of repair costs, theft risk, and claim frequency.

How the age of the car affects your insurance rate

A newer car costs more to insure than an older version of the same model because the car is worth more. If a 2024 Honda Civic is totaled, the insurance company pays out $28,000. If a 2019 Honda Civic is totaled, they pay out $16,000. That difference shows up in your rate.

Older cars also have lower repair costs because used parts are available and labor rates for older vehicles are lower. A 2015 Civic with a dented door can use a used door from a salvage yard for $200. A 2024 Civic may need a new door from the dealer for $600.

The trade-off is that very old cars (10+ years) may cost more to insure if they lack modern safety features, or if the model has a poor safety record. A 2010 model with no backup camera or lane-keeping information may have a higher rate than a 2018 model with those features, even though the 2010 is worth less.

What your age and driving record mean for the final cost

The car you choose matters, but your own profile matters more. A 16-year-old driver in a Honda Civic will pay significantly more than a 40-year-old in the same car because teenage drivers file more claims. A driver with two at-fault accidents in the past three years will pay more than a driver with a clean record, regardless of the vehicle.

Insurance companies weight your age, driving history, and location more heavily than the car itself. A young driver in a cheap car may pay $150 per month. A middle-aged driver with a clean record in the same car may pay $60 per month. The car is the same; the rate is not.

This means that if you are a high-risk driver (young, new to driving, or with accidents on your record), buying the cheapest car to insure will help, but it will not solve the problem. You will still pay more than a low-risk driver in an expensive car.

How to compare insurance costs for a specific car before you buy

The only way to know what a car will cost you to insure is to get a quote. Call or visit the websites of at least three insurers — State Farm, Geico, Progressive, and your local or regional carriers. Enter the exact make, model, year, and trim level of the car you are thinking about buying.

You will need to provide your age, driving record, current coverage limits, and desired deductible. The quote will show you the monthly or annual cost for that specific car. Rates vary widely between insurers, so comparing three or four is worth the time.

If you are shopping for a car and insurance cost is a factor, get quotes on two or three models before you decide. A Honda Civic might be $80 per month, a Toyota Corolla $75, and a Hyundai Elantra $70 — or the order could be reversed depending on your insurer. The difference is real, and it adds up over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the color of the car affect insurance cost?

No. Insurance companies do not charge different rates based on color. This is a common myth. The only factors that matter are the make, model, year, engine size, safety features, and your own driving profile.

Will buying a used car instead of new save me money on insurance?

Yes, usually. A used car is worth less, so the insurance payout in a total loss is smaller and your rate is lower. A three-year-old Honda Civic will cost less to insure than a brand-new one. The older the car, the lower the rate — up to a point where very old cars with poor safety records may cost more.

Do hybrid or electric cars cost more or less to insure?

It depends on the model. A Toyota Prius is cheap to insure because it is common, reliable, and inexpensive to repair. A Tesla is more expensive to insure because repairs are specialized and parts are costly. The fuel type matters less than the specific car and its repair costs.

Can I lower my insurance by choosing a car with more safety features?

Yes, but only slightly. Modern safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping information may earn you a small discount — usually 5 to 10 percent — from some insurers. This discount is smaller than the difference between a sedan and a sports car, so it should not be your main reason for choosing a car.

What if I want a truck or SUV but need cheap insurance?

Trucks and SUVs cost more to insure than sedans, but some are cheaper than others. A Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 will cost less than a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. Stick with common models from reliable brands, avoid high-performance versions, and choose an older model year if you can. Then get quotes before you buy to see the actual cost.