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The cheapest cars to insure in 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).
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Subaru Outback
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Average annual full coverage premium
$2,227
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Honda CR-V
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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
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Average annual full coverage premium
$2,417
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,391
|
|
Honda Odyssey
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Average annual full coverage premium
$2,431
|
Acura RDX
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,455
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,385
|
Learn more: Car Insurance Rates by Make and Model
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
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---|---|
Honda Civic
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,654
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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
|
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---|---|
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
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|
---|---|
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,377
|
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GMC Sierra
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Average annual full coverage premium
$2,892
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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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Compare auto insurance rates
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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.
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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
|
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Lexus RC F
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Average annual full coverage premium
$4,637
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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.Shannon Martin, Bankrate insurance analyst
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:

Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500To 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.
- 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.