- Cheap-to-insure cars are mid-size SUVs and minivans with top safety scores and low theft rates.
- Subaru Outback averages $1,302/yr (Insurify, Jan 2026), $586 below national average.
- Trade-off: these vehicles typically have fewer luxury features and lower towing capacity.
- Works well for families, commuters, and anyone prioritizing low ownership costs.
- Less suitable for drivers who want a premium/luxury sedan, sports car, or large truck.
The cheapest cars to insure in 2026 are typically mid-size SUVs, minivans, and smaller sedans with strong safety scores, low theft rates, and modest repair costs. Models like the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5 average $1,300–$1,550 per year, well below the national full-coverage average of $1,888. Choosing one of these vehicles can save you up to $600 annually at sign-up.
Car insurance premiums depend heavily on the vehicle you drive. A 2025 model with advanced driver-assistance tech and a top safety pick+ rating costs significantly less to insure than a luxury SUV with expensive aluminum body panels. This guide ranks 10 of the cheapest cars to insure explains why these models cost less, and shows how your personal factors, driving history, location, and credit, still influence your final rate.
We used data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and 2026 rate filings from major carriers including State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive to compile this list.
1. What Makes a Car Cheap to Insure?
What Determines Insurance Costs by Vehicle?
Insurers set rates based on four factors tied directly to the car: safety ratings, repair costs, theft frequency, and crashworthiness. A vehicle that is less likely to be stolen, costs less to repair, and protects occupants well in an accident will carry lower premiums regardless of the driver's personal history.
The Four Pillars of Affordable Coverage
- Safety scores: Vehicles with IIHS Top Safety Pick+ or 5-star NHTSA ratings qualify for discounts. Drivers in a 2026 Honda CR-V pay roughly 12% less for collision than drivers of a 2026 Ford Explorer, per GEICO's 2026 filing.
- Repair costs: Cheap-to-fix cars have common parts and simple body designs. Subaru Outback parts are 18% cheaper than the industry average, according to CCC Intelligent Solutions 2025 data.
- Theft rates: The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) tracks theft claims by model. The lowest-theft vehicles, minivans and mid-size SUVs, save owners 5–10% on comprehensive coverage.
- Crash frequency: Smaller cars like the Honda Civic get into more accidents per mile driven, which can push premiums up despite good safety scores.
How Much Can You Save on the Low End?
The average full-coverage car insurance premium in 2026 is $1,888 (Insurify, January 2026). The vehicles on our list fall between $1,300 and $1,650, a savings of $238 to $588 per year. For a family insuring two cars, that adds up to $476 to $1,176 annually.
2. 10 Cheapest Cars to Insure in 2026
Below is a ranked list of the cheapest cars to insure based on average annual full-coverage premiums from a sample of six major insurers (State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, and Liberty Mutual) for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record in Ohio. Actual rates vary by state and driver profile, use this as a relative guide.
| Rank | Vehicle | Avg. Annual Premium | Key Reason for Low Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subaru Outback | $1,302 | Top Safety Pick+, low theft, moderate repair costs |
| 2 | Honda CR-V | $1,328 | Low theft rate, high safety scores, 20+ years of reliable parts supply |
| 3 | Mazda CX-5 | $1,357 | Excellent crash test ratings, low collision claim frequency |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | $1,389 | Strong safety suite, moderate repair costs, very low theft |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | $1,415 | IIHS Top Safety Pick+, low injury claims, standard AWD aids collision avoidance |
| 6 | Honda Odyssey | $1,432 | Minivan, lowest theft rate of any segment; low injury liability |
| 7 | Chrysler Pacifica | $1,467 | Similar to Odyssey: low theft, low crash frequency for minivans |
| 8 | Mazda3 | $1,502 | Low repair costs, good safety, but higher crash frequency raises premium slightly |
| 9 | Nissan Rogue | $1,539 | Good safety, affordable parts; theft rates slightly higher than CR-V |
| 10 | Honda Civic | $1,584 | Very strong safety, but high crash frequency pushes rate up |
*Premiums are estimates for a 40-year-old driver with good credit in Ohio. Actual rates vary significantly by state, ZIP code, age, and driving record.
Notably absent from the list: the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Both are safe and affordable to repair, but their theft rates are higher than the models above, Camry theft claims are roughly 40% above average (HLDI 2025), costing owners $100–$200 more per year.
Cheapest Cars to Insure Guide
Ranked list, savings tips, and state-by-state advice.
EXPLORE AFFORDABLE MODELS →3. How to Get the Lowest Rate on Any Car
Three Steps to Lower Your Premium Regardless of Vehicle
Even if you don't drive one of the cheapest-to-insure models, you can still lower your premium significantly. Here is the step-by-step process that works for most drivers in 2026.
- Shop around at renewal. Don't auto-renew. Get quotes from at least three carriers: State Farm, GEICO, and an independent agent aggregator like Liberty Mutual or Progressive. Drivers who EXPLORE OUR GUIDE $490 per year (Insurify 2026).
- Increase your deductible to $1,000. Raising a $500 deductible to $1,000 reduces collision and comprehensive premiums by 15–25%, depending on the carrier. Make sure you have that cash available in an emergency fund.
- Ask about usage-based insurance. Programs like Progressive Snapshot, GEICO DriveEasy, or State Farm Drive Safe & Save can cut premiums by 10–30% if you drive less than 7,500 miles per year or demonstrate safe braking and acceleration habits.
Bundle for Extra Savings
Most insurers offer a multi-policy discount of 10–15% if you combine car and homeowners or renters insurance. GEICO, State Farm, and Allstate all advertise this discount prominently. A Texas driver bundling home and auto saved $340 on average in 2025 (Texas Department of Insurance, November 2025).
Which Discounts Matter Most?
- Good driver discount: Up to 20% for 3+ years accident-free.
- Defensive driving course: 5–10% off (some states mandate this).
- Low annual mileage: 10–20% off if under 5,000 miles.
- Vehicle safety features: Anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices each earn 2–5% off.
Cheapest Cars to Insure Guide
Ranked list, savings tips, and state-by-state advice.
EXPLORE AFFORDABLE MODELS →4. What Changed in 2026
2026 Update: Rates Stopped Climbing, but Still High
After two years of double-digit increases, auto insurance rates are stabilizing in 2026. The average full-coverage premium rose only 3.2% from December 2025 to February 2026 (Consumer Price Index, February 2026), compared with 12% annual increases in 2022–2024. That said, rates remain 38% higher than they were at the end of 2021. Repair costs have moderated as parts supply chains normalized, but labor rates still rose 5% year-over-year in 2025 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2026).
One notable change: several insurers, including USAA and Liberty Mutual, introduced new discounts for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in 2026. Cars with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control qualify for a 3–6% discount on both collision and liability coverage. This benefits many of the models on our list, most of which come standard with these features by 2026.
Another trend: the remains a challenge, the state caps rates based on driving history rather than credit, which pushes average premiums higher for safe drivers but lower for riskier ones. In , rates are still among the highest in the country due to litigation costs, though the 2025 tort reform is expected to gradually lower rates by 2027.
Bottom line for 2026: The cheapest cars to insure are mid-size SUVs and minivans from Subaru, Honda, and Mazda. National average rates are plateauing, but you can still save $400–$600 per year by choosing the right model and shopping around at renewal.
Expert Tips
- Compare quotes at least 60 days before your policy renewal to lock in the best rate.
- If you drive a hybrid or EV, check for a green-vehicle discount, GEICO offers up to 5% off on some models.
- Ask your agent about a loyalty discount after 3 years with the same carrier, some forget to apply it.
- Consider dropping comprehensive coverage on a car worth less than $4,000, it's rarely worth the premium.
- Bundle with a homeowners policy from the same insurer for maximum discount, 15% is common.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a new car is always more expensive to insure. Some 2026 models (like the Subaru Outback) cost less to insure than a 5-year-old used luxury sedan.
- Setting a low deductible just because you afford the monthly premium. A $500 increase in deductible saves you $150–$250 per year.
- Ignoring the vehicle identification number (VIN) when getting a quote. The exact trim level and engine size affect the rate.
- Sticking with the same insurer for more than 3 years without re-shopping, loyalty discounts rarely outweigh competitor introductory offers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low premiums save $400+ per year compared with average vehicles.
- High safety ratings reduce risk of serious injury claims.
- Parts and repairs are widely available and affordable.
Cons
- Fewer luxury features, no massaging seats or premium sound systems.
- Lower resale value compared with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, which hold value well but still cost less to insure.
- Limited towing capacity on smaller models like the Mazda3 or Civic.
Bottom Line
If affordability is your priority, you cannot go wrong with a Subaru Outback or Honda CR-V. Both are among the safest vehicles on the road have low theft rates, and carry insurance premiums under $1,400 annually. For families, the Honda Odyssey offers minivan utility with similarly low rates. Shop around at renewal, raise your deductible, and consider usage-based insurance to squeeze out the last $100 of savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Subaru Outback is the cheapest car to insure with an average annual full-coverage premium of $1,302 for a 40-year-old with good credit. Its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, low theft rate, and moderate repair costs keep premiums low.
Minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica have the lowest theft rates of any vehicle segment (HLDI), moderate repair costs, and low crash frequency among family drivers. Their safety scores are strong, and insurers see them as low-risk vehicles for liability claims.
Not necessarily. Some 2026 models, particularly mid-size SUVs from Subaru, Honda, and Mazda, cost less to insure than many used luxury sedans or sports cars. The determining factors are safety ratings, theft rate, and repair cost, not age alone.
Choosing a model from this list can save you $238 to $588 per year compared with the national average full-coverage premium of $1,888. Over three years, that is $714 to $1,764 in savings, enough to cover several years of maintenance.
Yes, dramatically. The cheapest cars in California, Florida, Texas, and Ohio can differ by hundreds of dollars. A Subaru Outback in California costs about $1,450; the same car in Florida costs $1,750. Check for the most accurate picture.
🔭 Explore More Topics
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2026 Top Safety Pick+ ratings
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2026 model year
- Insurify 'Average Car Insurance by Vehicle 2026' report, January 2026
- CCC Intelligent Solutions 2025 Crash Course Report — repair costs by vehicle
- Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) 2025 theft claim frequency report
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