What is the cheapest make of car to insure?
Subaru, Chrysler, and Mazda are among the cheapest mainstream car brands to insure, with average annual insurance premiums starting around $2,000 to $2,180.
Cheapest Car Brands
- Subaru: Costs around $2,088 to $2,182 per year on average, driven by high safety ratings on models like the Forester and Outback.
- Chrysler: Averages about $2,008 annually, making it one of the lowest-cost makes for coverage.
- Mazda: Averages around $2,021 to $2,723 depending on the model, helped by affordable repair costs on crossovers like the CX-5.
- Buick: Averages roughly $2,148 to $2,676 per year.
- MINI: Averages about $2,159 to $2,208 annually.
Specific Affordable Models
If you want low insurance, specific vehicle models matter more than the brand name. The most budget-friendly individual models include:
- Honda CR-V: Averages roughly $1,932 per year ($161 monthly).
- Subaru Forester: Averages around $2,013 per year.
- Mazda CX-5: Averages around $2,021 per year.
- Toyota Corolla: Frequently tops lists for low-cost maintenance and parts replacement.
Why These Brands Cost Less
- Safety features: Advanced driver-assist systems reduce accidents and win insurer discounts.
- Lower repair costs: Widespread, affordable parts keep claims inexpensive.
- Driver behavior: Practical SUVs and sedans attract fewer high-risk speeding claims than luxury sports cars.
What is the absolute cheapest car to insure?
The Subaru Outback is frequently ranked as the absolute cheapest new vehicle to insure, with average annual full-coverage premiums hovering around $1,960 to $2,240.
Top Cheapest Cars to Insure
Industry data from providers like The Zebra and CarEdge show that practical, safe compact SUVs and crossovers dominate the lowest-cost lists:
- Subaru Outback: Average monthly cost around $163
- Buick Envista: Average monthly cost around $161
- Volkswagen Taos: Average monthly cost around $163
- Subaru Forester: Average monthly cost around $166
- Honda CR-V: Average monthly cost around $161–$193
- Subaru Crosstrek: Average monthly cost around $168
Why These Cars Cost Less to Insure
- Safety Tech: High safety scores from the IIHS reduce injury claims.
- Lower Repair Costs: Common parts and accessible mechanic repairs mean lower payouts for insurers.
- Driver Demographics: These models are typically driven by safety-conscious owners with fewer claims.
- Vehicle Age: On a broad level, older used cars with liability-only coverage are significantly cheaper to insure than brand-new models.
What cars are difficult to insure?
Certain vehicles are difficult or expensive to insure because of high theft rates, expensive specialized parts, or high accident risks.
High-Theft and Vulnerable Vehicles
- Older Hyundai and Kia Models (2011–2022): Many of these models lack engine immobilizers, making them targets for viral social media theft trends and leading some major insurers to limit or refuse new policies.
- Nissan Altima: Frequently flagged in high-theft urban regions with elevated claim frequencies.
High-Performance and Muscle Cars
- Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat: Blacklisted or heavily restricted by many standard carriers due to high crash rates and association with street racing.
- Chevrolet Corvette (C8): Features a complex mid-engine layout, specialized dual-clutch transmissions, and high repair costs that spike insurance claims.
- Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Exceptional speeds, expensive composite materials, and high repair severity drive up annual premiums significantly.
Exotic and Luxury Brands
- Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley: Limited production numbers, exceptionally high vehicle values, and hand-built components mean standard auto policies rarely apply, often requiring specialized collector or high-net-worth insurance.
- Land Rover Range Rover / Defender: High theft rates combined with expensive electronic architecture and long wait times for specialized parts.
Other Difficult-to-Insure Categories
- Extensively Modified or Custom Cars: Performance upgrades or custom aesthetics deviate from safety baselines and factory specs.
- Grey Market / Imported JDM Cars: Privately imported vehicles that may not match local federal safety or emissions standards.
- Commercial or Passenger Vans: Vehicles carrying 12 or more passengers or utilized for cargo/step-van delivery.
You can review official guidelines and state-specific restrictions through the New York Department of Financial Services or explore options like the HotCars Guide to Difficult Cars to Insure.
Which car brands are the most expensive to insure?
Dodge, Lexus, and Tesla are among the most expensive mainstream and near-luxury car brands to insure, while ultra-luxury and exotic brands like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Bentley command the highest overall premiums in the industry.
Most Expensive Popular & Luxury Brands
According to insurance analytics from CarEdge and industry data, average annual full-coverage costs vary by brand:
- Dodge: Averages around $354 to $425 per month ($4,242+ a year) due to high-performance horsepower and accident frequency.
- Lexus: Averages about $312 per month ($3,747 a year), driven by luxury replacement parts and repair expenses.
- Tesla: Averages $271 per month ($3,248+ a year), heavily impacted by specialized EV battery and sensor repair costs.
- Nissan, GMC, and Ford: Popular brand rankings show high averages (ranging from $2,500 to $2,740 annually) driven by expensive heavy-duty trucks, sports cars like the Nissan GT-R, and high-theft models.
- Exotic/Ultra-Luxury Brands: Bentley ($6,778/yr), Aston Martin ($6,374/yr), and Maserati ($5,661/yr) top the absolute highest tier of insurance costs.
Why These Brands Cost More
- Repair and Part Costs: Advanced driver-assistance technology, aluminum bodies, and specialized electric vehicle components cost significantly more to fix.
- Performance and Risk: Brands known for high horsepower (like Dodge and sports car lines) often attract riskier driving profiles or experience higher rates of speed-related claims.
- Vehicle Replacement Value: Higher MSRPs mean insurance companies pay out much larger sums if the vehicle is totaled or stolen.
Which car will be the cheapest to insure in 2026?
The Buick Envista and Subaru Outback rank as the cheapest cars to insure in 2026, with average full-coverage rates starting around $117 to $161 per month depending on the provider and driver profile.
📊 Top Affordable Vehicles for 2026
- 🚗 Buick Envista
- Monthly average: ~$161
- Why it's cheap: Low repair costs and high safety tech.
- 🚙 Subaru Outback
- Monthly average: ~$117–$191
- Why it's cheap: Top-tier crash ratings and standard all-wheel drive.
- 🚙 Honda CR-V
- Monthly average: ~$122–$161
- Why it's cheap: Exceptional safety scores and low claim severity.
- 🚙 Subaru Forester
- Monthly average: ~$119
- Why it's cheap: Affordable replacement parts and modest power.
💡 Why These Cars Cost Less
- 🛡️ Safety Ratings: High IIHS and NHTSA scores reduce injury claims.
- 🛠️ Repair Costs: Common parts are inexpensive to source and replace.
- 📉 Theft Rates: Mainstream SUVs attract fewer thieves than luxury or sports models.
These 10 Cars Have the Lowest Insurance Rates!
What's the most inexpensive car to insure?
The Honda CR-V is consistently ranked as one of the least expensive and most popular vehicles to insure, with average annual full-coverage rates starting around $1,220 to $1,932 per year.
✅ Top Inexpensive Cars to Insure
- 🚗 Honda CR-V
- Average cost: ~$161 per month
- Why it works: High safety ratings, low repair costs
- 🚙 Subaru Crosstrek
- Average cost: Varies by location/driver
- Why it works: Low collision and injury claim loss data
- 🚙 Mazda CX-5
- Average cost: ~$111 to $160 per month
- Why it works: Excellent safety suite, inexpensive parts
- 🚙 Subaru Forester
- Average cost: ~$120 to $160 per month
- Why it works: Standard safety tech, low claim frequency
- 🚗 Honda HR-V
- Average cost: ~$100 to $135 per month
- Why it works: Compact size, low-risk classification
📊 Comparison of Top Budget Options
| 🚗 Vehicle Model | 🏷️ Category | 💵 Avg. Monthly Premium (Proxy) | 🛡️ Primary Insurability Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Compact SUV | ~$135 - $160 | Stellar safety scores |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Subcompact SUV | ~$125 - $150 | 47% below-average collision loss |
| Mazda CX-5 | Compact SUV | ~$115 - $145 | Affordable OEM parts |
💡 Why These Cars Cost Less
- 🛡️ Safety Features: Advanced crash-prevention tech reduces accidents.
- 🔧 Repair Expenses: Plentiful, inexpensive parts lower claim payouts.
- 📉 Lower Value: Modest MSRPs reduce comprehensive payout costs.
Does car color affect insurance?
Car color does not affect car insurance rates.
Car insurance companies do not ask for or track your vehicle's paint color. When you apply for insurance, companies use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the make, model, year, and features of the car—not its color.
Why the Myth Exists
- Sports Cars: The popular belief that red cars cost more to insure comes from the false idea that bright colors attract higher accident rates or more speeding tickets. In reality, insurers charge more for certain sports cars because of their high-performance engines and expensive repair costs, not because they are red.
- The VIN limitation: Paint color is not recorded in a vehicle's VIN data, meaning insurers have no practical way to factor color into their pricing models.
The Only Exception: Custom Paint Jobs
Standard factory paint colors have zero impact on rates. However, if you invest in an expensive custom paint job or specialized wrap, standard insurance policies may not fully cover the added value if the car is damaged. To protect a custom paint job, you must purchase extra coverage, such as custom parts and equipment (CPE) endorsement, which can slightly raise your overall premium.
What Actually Affects Insurance Rates
Insurers determine your rate based on real, measurable risk factors:
- Vehicle type: Make, model, safety ratings, engine size, and repair costs.
- Driving history: Your record of accidents, traffic tickets, and DUIs.
- Location: Where you live and park your car.
- Personal factors: Your age, gender, marital status, and credit-based insurance score (where allowed).
What car color is the cheapest to insure?
No single car color is the cheapest to insure because car color does not affect insurance rates.
Why Car Color Doesn't Matter
- Not a pricing factor: Insurance companies use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to price policies, which lists the make, model, and year—not the paint color.
- The red car myth: As noted by Progressive, the belief that red cars cost more to insure is false. People often mix up sports cars (which are expensive to insure due to high-performance engines) with the color red.
- Exceptions for custom paint: A custom or specialty paint job can raise your insurance costs because it increases the overall repair or replacement value of the vehicle.
What Actually Lowers Insurance Costs
Instead of car color, insurance companies base your rates on real risk factors:
- Vehicle type: Minivans and standard sedans usually cost less to insure than sports cars or luxury vehicles.
- Driving record: A clean history with no accidents or traffic violations keeps rates low.
- Location: Rates vary based on your state, city, and local crime or accident rates.
- Personal details: Your age, gender, marital status, and credit score also impact the final price.
What not to tell the insurance company?
Never admit fault, apologize, or say "I'm fine" when speaking to an insurance adjuster after an accident. You can review a complete guide on handling communications via Colstan to protect your claim.
Statements to Avoid
- "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault": Insurers use any apology as a legal admission of liability, which can reduce or block your compensation.
- "I'm fine" or "I'm not hurt": Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash or concussions that show up days later.
- Guesses or speculation: Never estimate vehicle speed, distances, or the timing of the crash. If your guess turns out wrong, it ruins your credibility.
- "I think" or "Maybe": Stick strictly to proven facts rather than offering uncertain personal opinions.
Disclosures and Actions to Avoid
- Recorded statements: Decline requests for a recorded statement until you have legal advice, as adjusters use these to trap you into contradictions.
- Broad medical releases: Do not give the company blanket access to your entire medical history, which lets them dig for unrelated or pre-existing conditions.
- Quick settlement agreements: Do not accept early payout offers before you know your full medical expenses and repair costs.
- Social media posts: Avoid posting photos, gym updates, or details about the crash online, as adjusters monitor digital footprints to dispute claims.
Safe Communication Practices
- Provide basic facts only: Share your name, policy info, date, time, and location of the event.
- Keep answers brief: State the facts plainly without expanding or offering conversational filler.
- Refer to professionals: Direct the adjuster to your insurance agent, public adjuster, or attorney for detailed questions.
What is the hardest color car to sell?
Brown and gold are widely considered the hardest standard car colors to sell because they struggle with broad consumer demand and sit on lots the longest.
Why Brown and Gold Struggle
- Outdated Appeal: Buyers often view brown and gold as flat or tied to older automotive eras.
- Slow Movement: These shades attract fewer potential buyers and tend to linger at dealerships and auctions.
- Poor Lighting Response: Brown and gold paints rarely photograph with high contrast under dealership or auction lights.
Other Difficult Resale Colors
- Purple: Niche appeal causes purple vehicles to depreciate quickly on the mainstream market.
- Bright Tones: Loud shades like bright yellow, hot pink, or lime green have a very small pool of interested buyers, though they can occasionally retain value well on specific sports cars due to low supply.