Best car insurance for sedans

How much does it cost to insure a sedan?

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. is $2,458 per year for a full coverage policy and $678 per year for a minimum coverage policy, according to Bankrate’s review of premium data from Quadrant Information Services. Our average rates are based on a sedan — the 2022 Toyota Camry.

However, your sedan’s insurance premium will likely vary based on several factors highly personalized to you, including your vehicle’s make and model. Different vehicles have different crash statistics, replacement part costs and safety features which can represent varied levels of financial risk to insurers. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest factors that may affect the cost of your car insurance:

• Crash rates and claim frequency: Some vehicles are associated with a much higher rate of crashes and injuries than other comparable vehicles. For instance, the Nissan Altima has a much higher driver death rate than the Toyota Camry, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), along with a higher frequency of all types of insurance claim. As a result, Nissan Altima insurance costs roughly 7 percent more than coverage for the Toyota Camry.
• Price of parts: Some cars are much cheaper to repair than others due to the cost of parts. For example, in a study by Consumer Reports, the Toyota Corolla turned out to be cheaper to repair than the Toyota Camry over the span of 10 years. Cars with parts that need to be imported from overseas, as well electric cars, may be more expensive to repair, possibly resulting in higher car insurance rates.
• Ease of repairs: If you drive a sedan that requires specialized repair technicians — as is the case with some electric sedans like the Tesla Model 3 — or is made with parts that need to be imported from overseas, you may pay higher rates for car insurance than you would with a domestic sedan.
• Safety & security features: Driving a car with advanced safety features can reduce the severity of a crash or prevent a collision entirely, which may help you get a cheaper car insurance premium or qualify for specific discounts. Similarly, a sedan outfitted with a security system that reduces the likelihood of theft will typically qualify for more affordable premiums.

Car insurance for sedans by make and model

To help you find the best sedan insurance, we pulled sample rate data for some of the most popular makes and models. Models like the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry emerge as some of the cheapest sedans to insure with full coverage, while higher-priced models like the BMW 3 Series and Tesla Model 3 saw higher average premiums.

Below you can see average full and minimum coverage rates for six sedans, but keep in mind that car insurance rates are highly personalized to each driver. Regardless of the make and model you drive, your auto insurance premium may vary based on individual characteristics such as your driving record, claims history, location and, depending on your state, your age, gender and credit history.

How to get cheap car insurance for sedans

If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance for sedans, you'll likely want to get personalized quotes from carriers that appeal to you to see how much you might actually pay with each company. On average, Geico, Erie and Auto-Owners are among the cheapest insurers for many sedan owners according to rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Keep in mind, however, that the rates shown below are the national average for single adult drivers with clean records — your rates might look different based on individual rate factors.

Average annual premium for full coverage by model

To find affordable sedan insurance that fits your budget and personal risk profile, you may want to:

• Review your insurance needs by speaking with a licensed agent or evaluating your ability to cover accident-related costs
• Request personalized quotes from at least three to five insurance companies
• Consider customer service, coverage offerings and discount availability

How much coverage do I need for a sedan?

If you’re wondering how much coverage you need for your sedan, you may want to start by assessing your state's minimum insurance laws. Nearly every state requires car insurance. Each state has different regulations, too, which is part of the reason that rates will differ by state.

If you have an auto loan or lease your vehicle, your financial institution will likely require you to carry full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. You may also want to consider gap insurance, which pays the difference between the value of your vehicle and what you still owe on your loan in the event that your car is totaled in a covered incident.

Even if you've paid for your car in full, most insurance experts still recommend purchasing full coverage if you can afford to do so. This enhanced financial protection for your vehicle might save you from expensive out-of-pocket costs if your vehicle were damaged in an accident or other covered event.

Other common endorsements from many car insurance companies include roadside assistance, new car replacement, custom equipment coverage and accident forgiveness.

Factors that impact car insurance costs for sedans

On average, sedans tend to be slightly more expensive to insure than most small or midsize SUVs and pickup trucks, but less expensive than coupes, sports cars and large SUVs or trucks. The reasons come down to perceived and statistical safety: while sedans are associated with safe driving and routine commutes, their smaller stature puts them at a disadvantage in crashes.

• High death rates: According to IIHS, small cars have an approximate driver death rate 16 points higher than the average for all passenger vehicles, while midsize sedans have an even higher driver death rate. With SUVs and trucks gaining in popularity, even highly-rated sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry are vulnerable in crashes with larger vehicles.
• Advanced driver assistance technology: If your sedan was manufactured recently, your insurance premium may benefit from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with functions like collision detection and mitigation. This technology can reduce the risk of accidents — and with it, your insurance premium.
• Vehicle use: Most sedan owners rely on their cars for regular commuting, errands and other routine tasks — not for pleasure drives, off-road antics or drag racing. While a long commute could increase your annual mileage and your insurance costs, insurers prefer vehicles that aren’t associated with risky driving, like the humble Nissan Altima, to performance-oriented vehicles.
• Driver factors: Ultimately, driver-specific factors like driving record, claims history, credit score and age have a far greater impact on your insurance rates than the body style of your vehicle. Sedan owners with high risk factors like driving violations or limited on-road experience pay higher rates.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 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 are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Dodge Charger, Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Mercedes C300, Nissan Altima, Tesla Model 3 and Toyota Camry (base).