Cheapest cars to insure
The cheapest cars to insure share a clear profile: low theft, low repair cost and low injury claims. On our data the Chevrolet Express is cheapest — about $690/yr at the US average, roughly 52% below a typical car. Every figure below is the state-average premium × each car's real HLDI insurance-loss index — use the calculator for your state.
CHEAPEST
Express
cheapest ($690/yr)
PER YEAR
$690
cheapest est. premium
GROUP AVG
$1,927
average for these cars
RANKED
645
cars with real data
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Cheapest Cars to insure — full ranking
Estimated annual premium at the US average, cheapest first — real HLDI insurance-loss index. Click a model for its full page.
FIG.01
| # | Vehicle | Est. premium | vs average | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Express | $690/yr | 48% of avg | Cheap |
| 2 | Smart Fortwo | $706/yr | 49% of avg | Cheap |
| 3 | Mini Cooper Roadster | $887/yr | 62% of avg | Cheap |
| 4 | Volvo S60 Cross Country | $902/yr | 63% of avg | Cheap |
| 5 | Buick Rendezvous | $938/yr | 65% of avg | Cheap |
| 6 | Subaru Forester | $946/yr | 66% of avg | Cheap |
| 7 | Buick Terraza | $951/yr | 66% of avg | Cheap |
| 8 | Ford E-350 | $951/yr | 66% of avg | Cheap |
| 9 | GMC Acadia | $958/yr | 67% of avg | Cheap |
| 10 | Mini Cooper | $959/yr | 67% of avg | Cheap |
| 11 | Subaru Outback | $959/yr | 67% of avg | Cheap |
| 12 | GMC Savana | $961/yr | 67% of avg | Cheap |
| 13 | Subaru Crosstrek | $978/yr | 68% of avg | Cheap |
| 14 | Buick Cascada | $979/yr | 68% of avg | Cheap |
| 15 | Fiat 500 | $985/yr | 69% of avg | Cheap |
| 16 | Subaru Ascent | $989/yr | 69% of avg | Cheap |
| 17 | Volvo XC40 | $989/yr | 69% of avg | Cheap |
| 18 | Volkswagen Golf Alltrack | $992/yr | 69% of avg | Cheap |
| 19 | Mazda MX-5 | $999/yr | 70% of avg | Cheap |
| 20 | Volkswagen Golf | $1,001/yr | 70% of avg | Cheap |
| 21 | Ford Freestyle | $1,002/yr | 70% of avg | Cheap |
| 22 | Acura RDX | $1,011/yr | 70% of avg | Cheap |
| 23 | RAM ProMaster 3500 | $1,011/yr | 70% of avg | Cheap |
| 24 | Ford Five Hundred | $1,015/yr | 71% of avg | Cheap |
| 25 | Nissan Xterra | $1,018/yr | 71% of avg | Cheap |
| 26 | Ford Transit | $1,020/yr | 71% of avg | Cheap |
| 27 | Honda Pilot | $1,020/yr | 71% of avg | Cheap |
| 28 | Ford Taurus X | $1,021/yr | 71% of avg | Cheap |
| 29 | Ford Ranger | $1,038/yr | 72% of avg | Cheap |
| 30 | Lexus GX | $1,041/yr | 72% of avg | Cheap |
ROWS 30·SOURCE HLDI × NAIC
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Top 15 cheapest cars to insure
Estimated annual premium at the US average — the cheapest cars to insure.
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What makes a car cheap to insure
Insurers price a car on how much it costs them — exactly what the HLDI loss index measures. The big factors:
Repair costCheap, common parts and simple builds keep collision claims low.
Theft rateRarely-stolen models keep comprehensive premiums down.
Power & speedModest engines mean fewer and less-severe crashes.
SafetyStrong crash ratings and driver-assist cut injury claims.
Who drives itFamily-oriented cars are driven more carefully; sporty ones aren't.
ValueA pricier car costs more to replace, raising collision and comprehensive.
Check any car in your state
This ranking uses the US average. Pick a specific car and state below for its estimated annual premium — same real HLDI loss data.
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Cheapest Cars to Insure — FAQ
What is the cheapest car to insure?
The Chevrolet Express is the cheapest car to insure in our data — about $690/yr at the US average, roughly 52% below a typical car.
How is this ranking calculated?
We rank cars by their real HLDI insurance-loss index (how much each costs insurers versus an average car, 100 = average) and estimate the premium as the US-average premium × that index. It's an estimate for a typical driver, full coverage — not a quote.
Are cars cheaper to insure than other cars?
The cars on this list run well below the average car; cars with low theft, repair and injury losses are among the cheapest vehicles to insure overall.
Does the state I live in change this?
Yes — these figures use the US average. Your state can move the premium up or down by 30%+ . Use the calculator or see cost by state.
Ranking computed by ForCar from HLDI/IIHS insurance-loss indices (relative losses versus an average car, 100 = average) combined with NAIC US average premium (2023). Estimates assume a typical driver, full coverage; your quote varies with state, age, record and coverage. For research and comparison, not a quote. Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.
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