What are the cheapest cars to insure in 2023

Key points

• Subaru Forester is the cheapest car to insure, according to our analysis. 
• Hyundai Venue, Chevy TrailBlazer, Kia Seltos, Ford F-150 and Mazda CX-30 also make our list of the cheapest cars to insure.
• Audi R8 Performance and Porsche Taycan Turbo are the most expensive cars to insure. 

Car insurance is important, but that doesn’t make parting with your premium any easier. Fortunately, there are choices you can make to lower your rates, such as buying a car that costs less to insure. 

Our insurance experts analyzed car insurance rates and identified 30 vehicles with the cheapest car insurance, and some cars that are the most expensive to insure. Here we’ll explain how the car you choose influences your rates and share some actions you can take to bring down the cost of your car insurance.

Cheapest cars to insure by car type

Subaru vehicles dominate our list of cheapest cars to insure, taking 12 out of 30 available slots. The Subaru Forester tops the list as the cheapest car to insure — Forester drivers enjoy the lowest coverage rates, paying an average of $142 a month ($1,704 a year) for car insurance. Other Subaru models with low rates include the Crosstrek and Outback. 

Subarus aren’t the only option if you’re looking for a new ride that will yield the lowest car insurance rates. Various models of the following vehicles also make the list, each with an average monthly insurance rate of less than $150:

• Hyundai Venue
• Chevy TrailBlazer
• Kia Seltos
• Ford F-150
• Mazda CX-30

Cheapest cars to insure

Most expensive cars to insure

If you have your mind set on an Audi, Porsche, BMW or Maserati, you may want to check out some car insurance quotes before buying. Our analysis of rates reveals that insuring some cars made by those manufacturers will take a big bite out of your budget. 

Vehicles factors that affect your car insurance rates

Several factors make certain cars more expensive to insure, including the average cost of repair or replacement, safety rating and the likelihood of theft. 

Cars with rare or expensive replacement parts typically cost more to insure since your insurance company may need to pay out more for a claim. This is particularly true for high-end cars. New York State’s Department of Financial Services reports that insurers are often reluctant to write policies for luxury vehicles made by companies such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce.

However, not all high rates come down to the value of the car. In the same report, insurers listed several average-priced car models made by Ford, GMC and Honda that are more difficult to insure. Reasons for higher insurance costs — or restrictions on policy types — for these models typically include poor ratings due to a lack of anti-theft devices or safety features.

Vehicles considered high-performance or sporty also typically cost more to insure, as these cars are historically involved in more wrecks and stolen more frequently.

Personal factors that affect your car insurance costs

Insurers consider many factors when writing a quote for auto insurance, including: 

• Your driving record. Insurers rely on risk evaluations to determine rates, and your driving record is a good indicator of how safe (or risky) your habits are behind the wheel. Drivers with clean records typically pay less than those with moving violations or accidents on their record. Drivers with little or no driving history also often pay more, as that can indicate a lack of experience. 
• Your age. Drivers over the age of 25 usually pay less than younger drivers since they’re considered less of a risk. Younger drivers and senior drivers statistically have more wrecks than drivers aged 25 to 65, which leads to higher car insurance premiums.
• How frequently you drive. The more time you spend on the road, the higher your chances of being in an accident. Drivers with higher mileage averages will pay a higher premium than those on the road less frequently.
• Your gender. Insurers often take your gender into consideration, as male drivers are statistically more likely to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel, including speeding, driving while impaired and not wearing a seatbelt. However, factoring gender into car insurance rates is banned in several states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
• Where you live. Location influences insurance costs, especially for drivers in places with higher levels of vandalism or theft or where the cost of repairs may be more expensive. Drivers in metropolitan areas usually pay more than those in rural locations.
• Your credit score. In some cases, insurers take into account your credit-based insurance score. A poor credit score can lead to higher rates, though insurers in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan are prohibited from using credit scores when determining rates. 
• Your policy selections. Policies with higher limits or optional coverages, such as collision and comprehensive car insurance or gap insurance will be higher than a policy with the bare minimum required in your state. 

The deductible you choose, or the amount of money your insurer will deduct from a claims check after certain types of claims, will also affect your rate. Higher deductibles, such as $1,500 or $2,000, will yield lower rates, and vice versa. 

How to find affordable car insurance

Finding cheap car insurance takes research and patience, but it can be worth the effort. Follow these tips to get the best car insurance for your needs, at the lowest rate. 

• Never settle for the first car insurance quote. The Insurance Information Institute encourages drivers to get at least three quotes before making a decision, as rates can vary significantly. 
• Compare costs for different vehicle makes and models before you purchase your next vehicle. For instance, if you have a new teen driver in the house, comparing car insurance rates for vehicles can help you find the cheapest car to insure for young drivers.
• Leverage safety feature discounts and savings. Vehicles with anti-theft devices, enhanced driver security features and other services that keep drivers and vehicles safe all factor into lower premiums. 
• Drop unnecessary coverages. Recently paid off your vehicle? You can drop gap insurance. If you drive an older car that’s paid off, consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage. 
• Bundle your car insurance with other types of coverage. Most insurers offer multi-policy or bundling discounts, such as a home and auto insurance bundle. 
• Pay attention to your odometer. If you don’t drive as often, you may be able to qualify for a low mileage discount. Some drivers may even consider a pay-per-mile option such as the SmartMiles program offered by Nationwide.

Methodology

Our team of car insurance experts analyzed rates data for the top-selling 2022 vehicle models. Data was made available by Quadrant Information Services, an insurance data and analytics provider. Rates are based on a female driver with a clean driving record shopping for a policy with the following: 

• $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person.
• $300,000 in bodily injury per accident.
• $100,000 in property damage liability. 
• Uninsured motorist coverage.
• Any other coverage mandated by the state. 
• Collision and comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible.