Which Cars Cost Less to Insure

Cars with lower insurance costs share specific traits that insurers reward

Insurance companies charge less for cars that are cheaper to repair, less likely to be stolen, and safer in crashes. A Honda Civic costs less to insure than a Dodge Charger because repair parts are cheaper, theft rates are lower, and safety ratings are higher. A Toyota Corolla costs less than a BMW 3 Series for the same reasons. The make, model, year, and trim all affect your rate — not just whether the car exists, but which version of it you own.

Your actual rate depends on where you live, your driving record, the coverage you choose, and how much you drive. Two people insuring the same 2020 Honda Accord will pay different amounts based on their zip code, age, and claims history. This guide explains what features keep insurance costs down so you can see which cars fit that pattern.

Key Takeaways

• Insurers charge less for cars with cheap, widely available repair parts and high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.
• Sedans and hatchbacks typically cost less to insure than sports cars, luxury vehicles, and trucks.
• Older model years usually cost less than new ones, but a 15-year-old car with high repair costs may cost more than a 5-year-old one with cheap parts.
• Theft rates vary by model — some Honda and Toyota models are stolen more often, which raises their rates in some regions.
• Your rate also depends on your age, driving record, location, and coverage choices, so comparing quotes for the specific car and your situation is the only way to know the actual cost.

Sedans and hatchbacks with common repair parts

Insurance is cheaper for cars where replacement parts are inexpensive and straightforward to find. A Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or Hyundai Elantra costs less to insure than a Porsche or Audi because a fender or headlight assembly costs $200 instead of $1,500. Insurers pass that savings to you because they pay less when your car is damaged.

Sedans and hatchbacks from mainstream manufacturers — Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Ford, Chevrolet — tend to have the cheapest parts. Parts for these cars are made by multiple suppliers, sold at multiple retailers, and installed at thousands of shops. A 2019 Toyota Corolla has more repair shops competing for your business than a 2019 Jaguar does, which drives repair costs down.

Luxury brands and European cars cost more to insure partly because parts are harder to find and more expensive. A BMW or Mercedes repair often requires a dealership visit, which charges more than an independent shop. Specialty parts for these cars are made by fewer suppliers, so prices stay high.

Cars with high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS

Insurers reward cars that protect occupants in crashes because fewer injuries mean fewer medical claims. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates cars on a five-star scale for frontal crash, side crash, and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates cars as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor in six crash types, plus rates roof strength and crash avoidance features.

Cars that earn five stars from NHTSA or Good ratings from IIHS in multiple categories typically may have access to for lower rates. A Subaru Legacy or Honda Accord with top safety ratings costs less to insure than a car with three-star ratings. Some insurers offer discounts of 5 to 15 percent for cars with high safety scores, though the discount varies by company and state.

You can check NHTSA ratings at safercar.gov and IIHS ratings at iihs.org. Both sites let you search by model year and trim level, because safety features vary within the same model.

Vehicles less likely to be stolen

Theft rates vary sharply by model. Some Honda and Toyota models, particularly older Civics and Accords, are stolen at much higher rates than others because thieves target them for parts or resale. In some regions, a 2000 Honda Civic costs more to insure than a 2015 Honda Civic because the older model is stolen more often.

Trucks and SUVs are also stolen frequently, which raises their rates. A Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado costs more to insure partly because they are stolen often and partly because repair costs are higher. Luxury vehicles like Range Rovers and BMWs are stolen for parts and resale, which also raises their rates.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) publishes annual lists of most-stolen vehicles by model year. You can search nicb.org to see theft rates for a specific car before you buy. If theft is high in your area, comprehensive coverage (which covers theft) will cost more, but the base rate for that car may already reflect the risk.

Older model years versus newer ones

Newer cars usually cost more to insure because they cost more to repair and replace. A 2024 Honda Civic costs more to insure than a 2019 Honda Civic because parts are more expensive and labor rates have risen. However, the 2024 model likely has better safety features, which can lower the rate slightly.

Very old cars sometimes cost less to insure because their replacement value is low — if a 2005 Honda Civic is totaled, the insurer pays out less. However, a 15-year-old car with expensive, hard-to-find parts may cost more to insure than a 5-year-old car with cheap, common parts. A 2009 Porsche 911 costs more to insure than a 2019 Honda Civic even though it is older, because Porsche parts are expensive.

Insurers also consider whether a car is still in production. A 2015 Honda Civic is easier and cheaper to repair than a 2015 model of a car that was discontinued, because parts are still made and widely available.

Body type and engine size

Sports cars, luxury cars, and high-performance vehicles cost significantly more to insure than sedans and hatchbacks. A Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Camaro, or Ford Mustang costs more because they are involved in more accidents, stolen more often, and cost more to repair. A Porsche or BMW M-series costs even more.

Trucks and large SUVs cost more to insure than sedans because they are heavier, more expensive to repair, and involved in more accidents. A Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Tahoe costs more than a Honda Civic. Compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 fall in the middle — more than a sedan, less than a full-size truck.

Engine size matters less than it once did, but larger engines still raise rates slightly. A four-cylinder sedan costs less than a six-cylinder or eight-cylinder version of the same model. However, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine may cost more than a naturally aspirated six-cylinder because it is more expensive to repair.

Examples of cars with lower insurance costs

Based on repair costs, safety ratings, and theft rates, these cars typically fall into the lower-cost range: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Mazda6, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Subaru Legacy, and Subaru Outback. These are mainstream sedans and hatchbacks with cheap parts, high safety ratings, and lower theft rates in most regions.

Compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sportage cost more than sedans but less than full-size trucks. Minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna also tend to have lower rates because they are involved in fewer accidents and have low theft rates.

Keep in mind that your actual rate depends on your age, driving record, location, coverage choices, and how much you drive. A 16-year-old driver in a Honda Civic will pay more than a 45-year-old driver in a Dodge Charger. The only way to know what a specific car will cost you is to get quotes from insurers for that car and your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius typically cost about the same as comparable gas-only sedans because repair parts are now widely available and theft rates are low. Electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt often cost more because battery repairs are expensive and fewer shops can do the work. As electric cars become more common, rates are dropping.

Does the color of the car affect insurance cost?

No. Insurance companies do not charge different rates based on paint color. This is a common myth. Your rate depends on the make, model, year, and trim — not whether the car is red, blue, or silver.

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

Usually, yes. A used car costs less to insure because its replacement value is lower. However, if the used car is an older model with expensive parts or a high theft rate, it may cost more than a newer car with cheaper parts. Compare quotes for the specific used car you are considering before you buy.

Can I lower my insurance cost by choosing a different trim level of the same model?

Sometimes. Different trim levels of the same model may have different safety features, engines, or theft rates, which affects the rate. A Honda Civic with a turbocharged engine costs more to insure than the same year with a standard engine. Check the safety ratings and repair costs for the specific trim before you buy.

Do insurance companies give discounts for cars with certain safety features?

Yes. Many insurers offer discounts of 5 to 15 percent for cars with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, or other crash avoidance features. The discount varies by insurer and state. Ask your insurer what discounts are available for the car you are considering.