The cars with the lowest insurance costs are usually older, smaller sedans with high safety ratings and no performance features

Insurance companies price based on repair costs, accident frequency, and theft rates for each model. A Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla from five to ten years ago will almost always cost less to insure than a new sports car, luxury sedan, or truck. The cheapest cars to insure are typically four-door sedans with modest engines, good crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and a long track record of low claim rates.

The relationship between a car's price and its insurance cost is not straightforward. A used Honda Accord may cost less to insure than a brand-new Dodge Charger, even though the Accord costs more to buy. Insurance looks at what that specific model costs to repair, how often drivers of that model file claims, and whether thieves target it — not the sticker price you paid.

Key Takeaways

  • Older sedans from mainstream brands like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan typically have the lowest insurance rates because they are cheap to repair and have low accident claim histories.
  • Sports cars, luxury vehicles, and trucks cost significantly more to insure, even used ones, because repair costs and claim frequencies are higher.
  • A car's safety rating affects insurance cost: vehicles with high NHTSA crash test scores and good Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings often may have access to for discounts.
  • The year, mileage, and condition of a car matter less to insurance pricing than the make and model — a 2015 Civic and a 2020 Civic may have similar rates.
  • Asking your insurance company for a quote on a specific car before you buy it takes five minutes and shows you the actual cost difference between models.

Sedan models that consistently have low insurance rates

The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Altima appear on most insurers' low-cost lists year after year. These cars are abundant on the road, so repair shops stock parts and know how to fix them quickly. Insurance companies pass that efficiency on as lower rates. A five-year-old Civic with 80,000 miles will likely cost $100 to $150 per month to insure (depending on your location, driving record, and coverage level), while a comparable sports car might run $200 to $300.

Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte models also tend toward lower rates, as do older Toyota Camry and Honda Accord sedans. The pattern holds: common, practical, four-door cars with engines under 2.0 liters and no performance branding cost less to insure. Avoid anything marketed as "sport" or "performance" — even if it is the same engine in a different trim, the label itself can raise your rate.

Why sports cars and trucks cost more to insure

A Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, or Chevrolet Camaro will cost two to three times as much to insure as a Civic, even if both cars are the same age. Insurance companies have decades of data showing that drivers of sports cars file more collision and comprehensive claims. Whether that reflects driver behavior or the car's handling characteristics, the result is the same: higher rates.

Pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado also carry higher insurance costs, partly because they are expensive to repair and partly because they are theft targets in many regions. Luxury brands — BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi — cost more to insure because parts are expensive and specialized technicians charge more labor. A ten-year-old BMW 3 Series can cost as much or more to insure than a new Honda Civic.

How safety ratings affect your insurance quote

Cars with high crash test ratings from NHTSA and the IIHS often may have access to for safety discounts from insurers. A Honda Civic with a five-star overall NHTSA rating and a "Good" rating from IIHS in all crash categories may save you 5 to 15 percent on collision and comprehensive coverage compared to a car with lower ratings. That discount is built into the base rate the insurer quotes you — you do not have to ask for it separately.

Vehicles with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring may also may have access to for discounts with some insurers. Check the NHTSA and IIHS websites before you buy a used car if insurance cost matters to you. A car that scores well in both organizations' tests will almost certainly have lower rates than one that does not.

Theft rates and insurance costs in your area

Some cars are stolen more often in certain regions, and that affects insurance rates. Honda Civics and Accords are frequently stolen nationwide, which can push their rates up in high-theft areas. Conversely, a car that is rarely stolen in your state may have lower rates even if it is expensive to repair. Your insurer's rates reflect theft data for your specific ZIP code, not national averages.

If you are shopping for a used car in a high-theft area, ask your insurance company about theft rates for the models you are considering. A Toyota Camry might cost less to insure than a Honda Civic in your neighborhood, even though the Civic is usually cheaper nationwide. The only way to know is to get a quote on the specific car and year you are thinking about buying.

Getting an insurance quote before you buy

Do not wait until after you own a car to find out what it costs to insure. Call your insurance company or use their online quote tool and enter the year, make, model, and trim of the car you are considering. Most insurers will give you a quote in minutes without any commitment. The quote is usually good for 30 to 60 days, so you can shop for cars knowing the actual insurance cost for each one.

Compare quotes from at least two insurers if you are buying a car that might be expensive to insure. A sports car or luxury vehicle might be cheaper with one company than another, depending on how that insurer weights repair costs and claim history. The difference between insurers can be larger than the difference between car models, so it is worth checking more than one.

Used versus new: which costs less to insure

A used car almost always costs less to insure than a new one, regardless of make and model. Insurance rates are based partly on the car's actual cash value — what it would sell for today. A three-year-old Honda Civic is worth $15,000 to $18,000; a brand-new one is worth $28,000. The newer car costs more to repair and is worth more if it is totaled, so the insurance rate is higher.

The exception is when a newer model has significantly better safety features or crash test ratings than an older one. A 2023 Civic with automatic emergency braking might cost only slightly more to insure than a 2015 Civic without it, and the safety discount could offset some of the value difference. But in most cases, buying a car that is five to ten years old will lower your insurance cost compared to buying new, regardless of which model you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the color of a car affect insurance cost?

No. Insurance companies do not adjust rates based on paint color. That is a common myth. The only factors that matter are the make, model, year, trim level, and your personal driving record and location.

Will a hybrid or electric car cost more or less to insure?

Hybrids like the Toyota Prius usually cost about the same to insure as their gas-only counterparts, sometimes slightly less because they have lower accident rates. Electric vehicles are newer, so insurers have less historical data, but rates are generally competitive with comparable gas cars. Battery replacement is expensive, but most insurers do not factor that into standard rates yet.

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

Smaller, older trucks like a used Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier will cost less to insure than full-size trucks, but they will still cost more than a sedan. If insurance cost is your main concern, a sedan is the better choice. If you need a truck, accept that insurance will be higher and get quotes on specific models before you buy.

Can I lower my insurance by modifying my car?

Most modifications raise your insurance cost or void your coverage. Performance upgrades, lowered suspension, and custom wheels all increase rates. Stick with the car as the manufacturer built it if you want to keep insurance costs down.

Do I need to tell my insurance company what car I drive?

Yes. Your policy lists the specific vehicle you are insured to drive. If you buy a different car, contact your insurer before you drive it. Driving an uninsured car is illegal, and your old policy will not cover damage or liability in the new car.