Posted by: LK Lam

The cheapest cars to insure in 2019 are the Subaru Forester ($1,774 average annual premium), Dodge Grand Caravan ($1,786), and Honda Odyssey ($1,800), according to WalletHub’s analysis of 26 of the most popular vehicles on the road right now. Of the 10 cheapest cars to insure, 3 are minivans, 3 are crossovers, and 2 are SUVs. Minivans are the cheapest type of vehicle to insure, with an average monthly premium of $154. And Nissan is the best car manufacturer when it comes to cheap insurance, as its vehicles cost an average of $168 per month to insure.

On the flip side, according to WalletHub’s analysis, the Lexus LS is among the most expensive makes and models to insure with an annual premium of $3,308. This is not surprising given that the Lexus is also one of the more expensive car brands to insure overall. And in terms of car types, the coupe is the most expensive variety to insure in a list that includes SUVs, pickups, and sedans, among others.

Given that vehicle choice alone could mean up to a $1,500 difference per year in premiums, no doubt your potential car insurance rates should be an important factor to consider when you’re shopping for a new vehicle." seemed like an awkward construction when I read it. Just wanted to double check that it sounds right.

2019 Cheapest Cars to Insure by Make & Model:

Rank	Vehicle Make & Model	Average Annual Premium
1	Subary Forester	$1,774
2	Dogde Grand Caravan	$1,786
3	Honda Odyssey	$1,800
4	Ford Escape	$1,877
5	Toyota Sienna	$1,966
6	Toyota Highlander	$1,978
7	Toyota Tacoma	$1,989
8	Jeep Grand Cherokee	$1,999
9	Chevrolet Tahoe	$2,006
10	Nissan Versa	$2,011
11	Toyota Prius	$2,076
12	Ford F-150	$2,092
13	Toyota Camry	$2,112
14	Chevrolet Silverado	$2,126
15	Honda Civic	$2,141
16	Lexus RX	$2,223
17	BMW X3	$2,250
18	Chrysler 300	$2,343
19	Lexus ES	$2,394
20	Dogde Charger	$2,423
21	Cadillac Escalade	$2,434
22	BMW 3 Series	$2,435
23	Ford Mustang	$2,450
24	Dodge Challenger	$2,461
25	BMW X5	$2,539
26	Lexus LS	$3,308

WalletHub editors analyzed the insurance premiums for some of the best-selling vehicles in the past 10 years and provide rankings for the cheapest cars to insurance in 2019 by car type and by make.

In the sections below, learn more about our findings and why some cars cost more than other to insure. You can also see how we obtained our pricing data in the Methodology section at the end of this article.

What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure by Car Type?

Rank	Car Type	Average Annual Premium
1	Minivan	$1,842
2	Crossover	$1,905
3	SUV	$2,043
4	Pickup	$2,113
5	Sedan	$2,212
6	Coupe	$2,392

When most drivers think about their dream cars, the reliable minivan may not be the first vehicle to pull up curbside. After all, minivans are for hauling kids and groceries. But this is why minivans are the cheapest type of car to insure – they aren’t exactly designed for impromptu drag races around the neighborhood. Minivans are popular among families due to their overall safety, and insurance companies view such vehicles as less risky to insure since individuals with loved ones in the car are less likely to engage in risky behaviors on the road.

Within the minivan category, the Dodge Grand Caravan is the cheapest minivan to insure with an average annual premium of $1,786. The list below also provides a quick look at the cheapest SUV, pickup, sedan, and crossover to insure.

Cheapest Cars to Insure by Make, Model and Type:

• Cheapest Crossover to Insure: Subaru Forester - $1,773 per year
• Cheapest Minivan to Insure: Dodge Grand Caravan - $1,786 per year
• Cheapest Pickup Truck to Insure: Toyota Tacoma - $1989 per year
• Cheapest SUV to Insure: Jeep Grand Cherokee - $1,999 per year
• Cheapest Sedan to Insure: Nissan Versa - $2,011 per year

Cheapest Cars to Insure by Make

Rank	Vehicle Make	Average Annual Premium
1	Nissan	$2,011
2	Honda	$2,078
3	Toyota	$2,100
4	Chrysler	$2,343
5	Dodge	$2,423
6	BMW	$2,436
7	Lexus	$3,004

It is no surprise that Nissan, Honda, and Toyota are in the top 3. Cars from these manufacturers have consistently received high ratings for vehicle safety over the years. All three brands are well represented in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s Top Safety Picks for 2019.

How Are Car Insurance Rates Determined: Why Vehicle Choice Matters

Car insurance premiums are determined by a host of factors such as age, driving experience, where you live, and the type of car you drive, among other things. These details help companies assess the risk of insuring you and your vehicle. Higher risk means higher premiums. When an insurance company looks at the vehicle you drive, it takes into consideration the car’s overall safety ratings, potential repair costs, and relevant historical trends such as claims and theft rates for the particular make and model.

In general, cars with poor safety ratings, higher repair costs, and a high insurance claims rate (i.e., for accidents, thefts, etc.) can expect higher insurance premiums. For example, a poor vehicle safety rating means that the driver and passengers are more likely to sustain serious injuries in the event of an accident, which will likely result in more expensive medical or personal injury claims.

Your vehicle options are also factored into the insurer’s risk and premium calculations. Cruising down the road in a luxury upgrade with high-tech features onboard may be your idea of fun. But to insurance companies, these higher-end models can only mean higher repair costs. This is why vehicles equipped with upgraded features like four-wheel drive and larger engines are more expensive to insure.

Additionally, WalletHub’s analysis has also found that newer models draw higher premiums. For example, a 2019 Toyota Camry can cost $600 more in annual premiums compared with a 2009 Toyota Camry. This is largely because newer models have a higher vehicle value than older models. Take for example again the Toyota Camry, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 2019 model is about $24,000, and a 2009 Toyota Camry is currently valued anywhere between $4,000 to $10,000 depending on its overall condition. Due to the difference in car value, it is more expensive for an insurance company to cover the 2019 Camry than the 2009 Camry.

WalletHub’s research has found that insurance premiums tend to increase as the value of a given vehicle goes up. For example, buying a $36,000 vehicle could mean paying $1,000 more in annual insurance premiums, when compared to buying and insuring a vehicle that is worth $9,000.

How to Save Money on Car Insurance: Vehicle Choice Matters

There are many ways to save on car insurance. One way to save money on car insurance for your next vehicle is to avoid purchasing the types of cars that are risky to insure.

• Avoid Ultra-luxury Cars: High-end vehicles, rather large or mid-size, are among some of the most expensive cars to insure due to their value. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), cars with the highest comprehensive insurance losses include luxury brands like Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. And in WalletHub’s own analysis, an individual driving a Lexus can pay up to $1,000 more in annual insurance premiums compared to someone driving a Nissan.
• Steer Away from Sports Cars: Like luxury vehicles, sports cars are traditionally more expensive to insure due to their high-performance engines and other built-for-speed features. Sports cars are riskier to insure because they are more likely to get into accidents. According to the IIHS database, sports cars like the Lamborghini Huracan and Maserati Granturismo are among the vehicles that have the highest collision losses.
• Rethink Hybrids: Hybrid vehicles tend to be more expensive to insure because these cars come with a higher retail price tag and their parts are more expensive to repair and replace. Take for example the hybrid battery to a Toyota Prius – it can cost anywhere between $2,200 and $2,600 to replace, and that doesn’t include labor charges.
• Watch Out for Popular Models Among Thieves: Not surprisingly, cars that are attractive to car thieves can expect higher insurance premiums. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s report on stolen vehicles in America, the top 5 most stolen vehicles are the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Ford pickup, Chevrolet pickup, and Toyota Camry.

Methodology

WalletHub collected quotes for 26 of the most popular vehicles on the road in the U.S. from 10 major auto insurance companies: State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, American Family, Travelers, and Kemper. Premiums were collected based on the following driver profile.

Assumptions

Age	36 years old
Gender	Female
Marital Status	Single
Driving Record	Clean (no accidents and no violations)
State	California
Vehicle Model Year	2014
Bodily Injury Liability Limit	$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability Limit	$50,000
Comprehensive Coverage	$500 deductible
Collision Coverage	$500 deductible
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (bodily injury)	$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident

WalletHub has chosen to collect quotes for the state of California, as it is the most populous state in the country. The annual premiums of the vehicles listed in our rankings are based on their 2014 models. WalletHub elected not to pull quotes for current 2020 models, as we are mindful that not everyone chooses a current year model when buying a car. In fact, in any given year, used car sales are about twice as common as new car sales. Additionally, a 2014 vehicle model is a more appropriate choice when gathering insurance quotes that are representative of actual insurance costs – this is because the 2014 models have had time to depreciate yet are still new enough to justify purchasing full coverage insurance.

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