Are used cars less expensive to insure?

Asked by: Bernadette Mosciski  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

Insurance costs are generally cheaper for used cars because they can be cheaper to replace. If your car is fairly old, and you've bought it outright, you may decide that comprehensive and collision aren't needed, which reduces your overall premium.

Is it less expensive to insure a used car?

Unfortunately, used cars are not necessarily cheaper to insure than new cars. Depending on the car model and insurer you choose, you may see very different insurance rates for an older vehicle. Some insurers charge less for older vehicles than new ones; others charge more.

Is it more expensive to insure a new or old car?

Older cars are cheaper to insure than newer cars, all else being equal. An older vehicle is cheaper to insure mainly because older cars are less valuable, so an insurer won't have to pay out as much in the event of a total loss.

Does insurance cost less for older cars?

Do Older Cars Cost More to Insure? Your rates for comprehensive coverage or collision coverage on an older vehicle may be lower than what you'd pay for those same coverages on a newer car that's worth more. ... Older cars are typically worth less, as their value depreciates over time.

Do you pay less insurance on newer cars?

Based on our research, Nationwide and USAA offer the cheapest rates for new car insurance. Auto insurance rates drop by 3.4% for every year your vehicle ages. An eight-year-old vehicle is approximately 25% cheaper to insure than is a brand new vehicle.

Top 10 cheapest cars (and trucks) to insure RIGHT NOW

17 related questions found

How can I lower my car insurance rates?

Follow our other top tips to drive the cost down even further.
  1. Limit your mileage. ...
  2. Pay annually. ...
  3. Improve security. ...
  4. Increase your voluntary excess. ...
  5. Build up your no claims bonus discount. ...
  6. Only pay for what you need. ...
  7. See if it's cheaper to buy add-ons as separate products. ...
  8. Consider your cover type.

How can I reduce my insurance rates?

Listed below are other things you can do to lower your insurance costs.
  1. Shop around. ...
  2. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
  3. Ask for higher deductibles. ...
  4. Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
  5. Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
  6. Maintain a good credit record. ...
  7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts.

Are old cars more reliable than new cars?

According to the scores, newer cars are inherently more reliable than old cars. Of course, that doesn't automatically make new cars better, but it makes the driving experience better. Kia, in particular, was most improved.

Why is insurance more expensive on older cars?

Consider repair and replacement costs: Older vehicles can cost more to insure because they can be more expensive to repair due to hard-to-find parts. Consider how much you'll need to spend to make repairs to your older car.

Are used cars more expensive to insure?

Is it cheaper to insure a used car? Used cars are typically cheaper to insure than new ones, but not always. Our used vehicle insurance rates tool gives you an average cost, so you don't have to call or go online to get a quote for every car you see in your car search.

Why you should buy a used car?

Here are the biggest reasons you should be buying a used vehicle: Save money on the purchase price – if you can live without the new-car smell. ... Lower insurance rates, because one of the key factors in the cost is the vehicle's value. You can drive a “better” car than you might be able to afford otherwise.

Should you have full coverage on a 10 year old car?

Between 10 and 15 years after a vehicle's model year, full coverage is a poor investment. While the cost of full coverage by itself likely won't be more than what a car is worth, the cost of insurance is more likely to be higher than the value of the car after an accident.

Is car insurance more expensive for over 70s?

"Car insurance can be expensive for drivers once they are over the age of 70. Even though older drivers are often careful and experienced road users, insurers tend to view the over 70s as high risk and push premiums up. One of the best ways to keep costs down is to reduce your mileage and increase your excess.

Is it worth having fully comprehensive insurance on an old car?

This might prompt you to ask: is my comprehensive car insurance premium still worth it? The answer really depends on your wheels, but a good rule of thumb is: until the sum of your annual premium and excess outweigh that of your car, it is probably still in your best interests to keep your comprehensive policy.

Do older cars have more problems?

One can understand why classic car enthusiasts believe that older cars are more reliable than more modern models. Compared to newer cars, classic machines were much more simplistic in the design of their engines. ... However, the general consensus seems to be that modern cars don't break down as often as older ones.

Why do classic cars look better?

The reason why classic cars look better is that they were built at a time when designers had more freedom. In the old days, designers were not constrained by stringent safety and emission laws, and the whole design process was focused on making the car look good.

How many miles did old cars last?

In the fifties, sixties and seventies, cars improved to last about 100,000 miles. Today's vehicles are engineered to last 200,000 miles, but the U.S. Department of Transportation reports the average life of a vehicle to be 12 years.

Which is a type of insurance to avoid?

Avoid buying insurance that you don't need. Chances are you need life, health, auto, disability, and, perhaps, long-term care insurance. But don't buy into sales arguments that you need other more costly insurance that provides you with coverage only for a limited range of events.

How much does it cost to insure a 17 year old driver in the UK?

How much does car insurance cost for 17 year olds? Car insurance is more expensive for younger drivers, and people in the 17-to-19 age group almost always pay more than any other for cover – with an average cost of £752 a year so far in 2020.

Do you insure the car or the driver?

Contrary to popular belief, car insurance typically follows the car — not the driver. If you let someone else drive your car and they get in an accident, your insurance company would likely be responsible for paying the claim, depending on the coverages in your policy.

Does car engine size affect insurance?

Your vehicle's engine size is one of the factors insurers use to work out the cost of your premium. Vehicles with lower engine capacities are cheaper to insure than high-powered vehicles. The insurance industry uses a system known as 'group rating' to assess the likely insurance costs for different vehicle models.

Who is the best car insurance company in UK?

The UK's best car insurance companies 2019
  1. NFU Mutual - 91.74% Percentage of customers that would renew their policy: 93% ...
  2. RIAS - 88.62% Percentage of customers that would renew their policy: 65%
  3. Privilege - 88.54% Percentage of customers that would renew their policy: 70% ...
  4. LV - 87.31% ...
  5. Quote Me Happy - 86.92%

Do you drive in peak times insurance?

How does driving to work affect my insurance premium? If you use your car to commute to work your premium will be higher, as you are more likely to be driving often and at peak times, and the probability increases of you making make a claim.

Is it better to pay car insurance in full or monthly?

Generally, you'll pay less for your policy if you can pay in full. But if paying a large lump sum upfront would put you in a tight financial spot — say, leave you unable to pay your car insurance deductible — making car insurance monthly payments is probably a better option for you.