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The cheapest cars to insure in 2025

Updated May 16, 2025
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Key takeaways

  • The Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V and Toyota Tacoma are some of the cheapest cars to insure out of the vehicles we reviewed.
  • On average, SUVs and trucks are the cheapest vehicles to insure compared to sedans, minivans and sports cars. 
  • The Audi R8 Quattro is one of the most expensive vehicles to insure out of the vehicles assessed, with an average premium of $6,591 per year for full coverage.

The 10 cheapest cars to insure

If you feel like car insurance has become harder to budget for, you're not alone. Bankrate's annual True Cost of Auto Insurance Report found that Americans' auto premiums have gone up by an average of 12 percent in the last year, for a cumulative increase of 31 percent since 2023. While experts say that rate increases are slowing, they're not likely to go in reverse. In other words, your high premium may be the new normal. 

But not all car insurance premiums are equally high. Among the factors that impact the cost of full coverage car insurance, your vehicle's make and model play a significant role, with cheaper and safer vehicles enjoying low rates in comparison to cars with a high sticker price, low safety ratings or other factors that increase the financial risk associated with driving.


Below, we showcase the 10 cheapest cars to insure based on our assessment of average rates for over 70 vehicle makes and models. For comparison, the national average cost of car insurance is $2,692 per year for full coverage. We’ve included the average full coverage premium, as well as the starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), for each vehicle (remember that MSRP will vary based on the trim package and optional features).

Subaru Outback
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,227
Honda CR-V
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,262
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,377
Subaru Forester
Average annual full coverage premium
N/A
Honda Pilot
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,422
Ford Escape
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,417
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,391
Honda Odyssey
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,431
Acura RDX
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,455
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,385

Cheapest cars to insure by vehicle type

Finding the cheapest cars for insurance is one thing, but it doesn’t take into account your specific needs. Maybe you have your heart set on a fuel-efficient car to reduce your carbon footprint, an SUV with room for mountain bikes and camping gear, or a truck to haul lumber for yard and home projects. Rest assured, while it may take a bit more research, you can find cheap car insurance no matter what type of vehicle you’re looking for. Below, you’ll find the cheapest vehicles to insure categorized by cars, SUVs and trucks.

Keep in mind, though, that “cheap” is a relative term. In addition to personal factors that may influence insurance costs, such as age, gender, location, credit score and driving record, each vehicle presents unique rating factors that can also affect insurance premiums, like the price of repairs and accident risk.

Cheapest cars to insure

Honda Civic
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,654
Mazda 3
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,713
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,692
Kia Forte
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,843
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,767
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,934

Cheapest SUVs to insure

Subaru Outback
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,227
Honda CR-V
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,262
Subaru Forester
Average annual full coverage premium
N/A
Honda Pilot
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,422
Ford Escape
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,417

Cheapest trucks to insure

Average annual full coverage premium
$2,377
GMC Sierra
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,892
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,660
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,611
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,851
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What makes a vehicle expensive to insure?

The cost of insuring any vehicle depends on how much it's likely to cost your insurance company. When an insurance company looks at your vehicle, they're trying to estimate two factors: how likely you are to file a claim while driving that car, and how costly the potential claim could be. Your car insurance rates will reflect the amount of risk the insurer has decided your vehicle carries. 

Some attributes of a vehicle that can affect the premium are:

  • Age: The older the car, the cheaper it might be to insure compared to newer models due to a lower repair or replacement cost. However, older cars also tend to lack updated safety features, which can lower premiums on the cars that have them.
  • Size: Bigger, heavier vehicles like mid- and full-size trucks or SUVs may be more capable of causing more damage on the road, but they're also less likely to sustain serious damage and offer greater protection to occupants, which is why it often costs less to insure an SUV than a sedan — even if the SUV is worth more.
  • Trim level: Upgraded features in a vehicle affect the cost of repairs. Not only do the individual components of your car's safety or technology systems need to be repaired, they may require additional calibration, which adds to the labor hours required and the overall cost of claims.
  • Safety features: Vehicles with safety features that reduce the risk of an accident, like blind-spot monitors, are often associated with cheaper insurance premiums.
  • Security features: Anti-theft systems and other security features can decrease the odds that a vehicle will be stolen, which may qualify you for discounted premiums.
  • High-end or luxury cars: The overall cost of these vehicles is higher than standard vehicles, so the expensive repair or replacement costs tend to drive up insurance rates.
  • Cars with specialty parts: It can be hard to obtain specialty parts to repair an imported or customized car after an accident, so they can be more expensive to insure.
  • Vehicles with low safety ratings: These vehicles may be more likely to be involved in accidents, and those accidents may be more severe, leading to a higher claim payout. The higher risk leads to a higher rate.

Car insurance rates are complex, as each company values the above attributes differently. The only way to know how much you’ll pay for a given car is to request and compare quotes from a few companies before purchasing an insurance policy.

Vehicles with more expensive car insurance

If you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle and are specifically looking for something with cheap car insurance rates, there are certain makes and models you may want to avoid. We’ve listed out the five most expensive vehicles to insure, based on our research, below.

However, keep in mind that while a vehicle’s make and model does affect rates, insurance companies use many other factors when determining premiums. The best way to know how much your vehicle will cost to insure is to get multiple quotes.

Audi R8 Quattro Performance
Average annual full coverage premium
$6,591
Average annual full coverage premium
$5,484
Average annual full coverage premium
$5,523
Average annual full coverage premium
$4,907
Lexus RC F
Average annual full coverage premium
$4,637

How much should insurance cost factor into my vehicle purchase?

When buying a new car, insurance may not be the first factor on your mind. You'll also need to consider the type of car you're interested in, the size of the down payment you can make and your potential loan payments (if you're financing your purchase). 

But as you're evaluating your options, don't let the cost of insurance stray too far from your attention. Bankrate's Hidden Cost of Car Ownership Study found that insurance makes up the biggest part of the ongoing cost of car ownership — that is, the bills you're stuck with for the life of the car after you leave the dealership. Keep the following in mind as you shop: 

  • The average monthly car loan payment for new vehicles is $742, according to Experian's Q4 2024 data.
  • The average monthly cost of full coverage insurance is $224.
  • Additional ownership costs, such as fuel, taxes, repair and maintenance, can vary considerably based on vehicle and location.
Buying a car isn’t just about the sticker price. Auto insurance costs can add thousands of dollars to your household budget, and getting locked into an unaffordable insurance payment for several years could put you in a difficult situation. To avoid turning your dream car into a financial nightmare, get a quote for the exact vehicle you intend to purchase before signing on the dotted line.
Bankrate logo Shannon Martin, Bankrate insurance analyst

Frequently asked questions

Related articles

Methodology

Rates

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze May 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied: 

User Icon
40 year old
Single male and female driver
Logo for Brand name
2023 Toyota Camry
Primary vehicle
Credit Good Icon
Good credit score
Auto Insurance Guide Icon
Clean driving record
Briefcase Icon
Commutes 5 days

Bodily injury liability

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Property damage liability

$50,000 per accident

Personal injury protection

$100,000 per accident

Uninsured motorist bodily injury

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Collision deductible

$500

Comprehensive deductible

$500

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:

Other profiles

Bankrate Score

Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

50% Cost & ratings
 
30% Coverage & savings
 
20% Support
 
  • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 
  • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
  • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.

Written by
R.E. Hawley
Senior writer, Insurance
R.E. Hawley is a senior writer for Bankrate. Prior to joining Bankrate’s insurance editorial team in 2024, they worked as senior writer for a popular car ownership and insurance comparison app, leading a team of over a dozen writers in creating customer-focused financial advice content on topics ranging from insurance to vehicle reliability and auto loan refinance. R.E. holds a personal lines insurance license.
Edited by Senior editor, Insurance
Reviewed by Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute