Used Cars That Cost Less to Insure

Which used cars have the lowest insurance rates

Insurance companies charge less for cars that are cheap to repair, unlikely to be stolen, and safe in a crash. Used sedans and wagons from mainstream brands—Honda, Toyota, Subaru—typically fall into this category. Pickup trucks and SUVs cost more to insure because repairs run higher. Sports cars and luxury brands cost significantly more, even when used. The year, mileage, and condition matter less to your insurance rate than the make and model itself.

A Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla from five years ago will almost always cost less to insure than a Dodge Charger or BMW from the same year. Insurance companies have decades of data showing which vehicles end up in claims most often, and they price accordingly. Before you buy any used car, you can call an insurance agent and ask for a quote on that specific year, make, and model—this takes ten minutes and tells you the real number.

Key Takeaways

• Mainstream sedans like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra typically have lower insurance costs than sports cars, luxury vehicles, or large SUVs.
• Insurance rates depend mainly on the car's make and model, not its age or mileage, so a ten-year-old Honda may cost less to insure than a three-year-old Dodge.
• You can get an insurance quote for any specific used car in minutes by calling an agent or using an online quote tool, which should factor into your purchase decision.
• Pickup trucks and full-size SUVs cost more to insure because repair bills are higher when they are damaged.
• Theft rates vary by model—some used cars are stolen more often, which raises insurance costs for everyone who owns that model.

Sedan models with consistently low insurance costs

The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra are among the cheapest to insure in the used market. These cars have high repair parts availability, meaning body shops can fix them quickly and cheaply. They are also rarely stolen, which keeps theft claims down. Insurance companies see millions of miles logged on these models every year with relatively few expensive claims, so the rates reflect that history.

The Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet Cruze also tend toward lower rates. Avoid luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, even used—parts are expensive and specialized, and repair shops charge more labor time. The same applies to older Cadillacs and Lincolns. A used Lexus costs more to insure than a used Toyota, even though they share engines and platforms, because Lexus parts carry a premium price.

Why pickup trucks and SUVs cost more

Full-size pickup trucks and large SUVs have higher insurance rates because collision and comprehensive repairs are expensive. A fender on a Ford F-150 costs more to replace than one on a Civic. Towing and off-road capability also correlates with higher claims in insurance data. Midsize SUVs like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 fall in the middle—more expensive than sedans, but cheaper than full-size trucks.

Compact SUVs and crossovers designed to replace sedans—the Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, or Toyota Corolla Cross—often have insurance rates close to their sedan equivalents. The difference in repair cost is small enough that insurers do not charge a significant premium. If you want an SUV but need lower insurance costs, look at the compact end of the market rather than midsize or larger models.

Sports cars and performance vehicles to avoid

Any car marketed as a sports car or performance model will cost substantially more to insure, even used. This includes the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z, and Subaru WRX. Insurance companies have data showing these cars are involved in more accidents and more severe accidents than comparable sedans. The higher cost reflects both repair expenses and claims history.

Muscle cars and older performance vehicles are even more expensive to insure because parts are harder to source and specialized shops charge premium rates. A used Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet SS will cost significantly more than a used Dodge Charger sedan, despite similar age and mileage. If you are shopping for a used car and insurance cost matters, avoid anything with "sport," "performance," "GT," or "SS" in the name.

How to compare insurance costs before you buy

Do not wait until after purchase to find out the insurance cost. Call an insurance agent or visit an online quote tool and provide the year, make, model, and trim level of the car you are considering. You will need to give your age, driving history, and desired coverage levels. Most quotes take five to ten minutes and are free. Some insurers let you compare multiple vehicles side by side on their website.

The quote you get is an estimate, not a locked-in price, but it gives you a real number to factor into your decision. If one used car you like quotes at $180 per month and another similar car quotes at $240, that $60 difference adds up to $720 per year. Over five years of ownership, that is $3,600. Insurance cost is a legitimate reason to choose one used car over another.

Theft rates and insurance premiums

Some used cars are stolen more often than others, and insurers raise rates on high-theft models to cover the cost of those claims. The Honda Civic and Honda Accord have historically high theft rates in many regions, which can push their insurance costs up despite being otherwise cheap to repair. The Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima also see frequent theft in some areas. Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to see theft rates for specific models in your state.

If a car you like has a high theft rate in your area, you may pay more for comprehensive coverage (which covers theft) than you would for a lower-theft model. Some people respond by choosing a car with lower theft rates, or by installing a steering wheel lock or GPS tracker to reduce their premium. Ask your insurance agent whether anti-theft devices lower your rate before you buy one.

Age and mileage matter less than you think

A ten-year-old Honda Civic will almost always cost less to insure than a three-year-old Dodge Charger. Insurance companies care far more about what the car is than how old it is. Mileage affects your rate only slightly—a Civic with 120,000 miles and one with 80,000 miles will have nearly identical insurance costs. The make and model drive the rate; age and mileage are secondary factors.

This means you should not assume that buying an older car saves you money on insurance. A 2015 Toyota Corolla and a 2019 Toyota Corolla will have similar insurance costs. The real savings come from choosing a model that insurers rate as low-risk, regardless of year. If you are torn between a newer sports car and an older sedan, the sedan will almost certainly be cheaper to insure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hybrid or electric used cars cost more to insure?

Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius typically cost about the same to insure as their gas equivalents, sometimes slightly less because they are involved in fewer accidents. Used electric vehicles are newer to the market, so insurance data is limited, but early rates suggest they are comparable to hybrids. Battery replacement is expensive, but most insurance policies do not cover battery degradation—only collision and theft.

Will a used car with a salvage title cost less to insure?

No. A salvage title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company at some point, usually after an accident. Most insurers will not insure a salvage-title vehicle at all, or will charge significantly more. You should avoid salvage-title cars if insurance cost matters to you, because your options are limited and expensive.

Does my driving record affect the insurance cost more than the car I choose?

Both matter, but the car matters more than most people realize. A driver with a clean record in a sports car will pay more than a driver with one accident in a sedan. Your driving history affects your rate by perhaps 20 to 40 percent; the car itself can affect it by 50 to 100 percent or more. Choosing the right car is one of the biggest levers you have to control insurance cost.

Should I buy a used car with higher mileage if it is a cheaper model to insure?

Mileage affects maintenance and repair costs more than insurance costs. A Honda Civic with 150,000 miles will cost about the same to insure as one with 80,000 miles, but it may need more maintenance. Focus on the car's condition and service history rather than mileage alone. If the high-mileage car has been well maintained, it may still be a good choice.

Can I lower my insurance cost by adding safety features to a used car?

Some insurers offer small discounts—usually 5 to 10 percent—for anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or GPS trackers. Airbags and electronic stability control are already built into most used cars and do not earn you a discount. Ask your insurance agent which specific devices or features your insurer recognizes before you buy or install anything.