What Car Models Are The Cheapest to Insure in 2014? Your age and driving history factor into what you end up paying for auto insurance, but did you know that the kind of car you drive also plays a part in the price? That’s right, your rate is going to go up or down depending on your ride. The folks at insure.com compiled average annual premiums for all new car models in the U.S., and here’s a list of the top 10 cheapest cars to insure in 2014: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Jeep Wrangler Sport - $1,080 Honda Odyssey LX - $1,103 Jeep Patriot Sport - $1,104 Honda CR-V LX - $1,115 Jeep Compass Sport - $1,140 Chrysler Town and Country Touring - $1,140 Subaru Outback 2.5i - $1,144 Dodge Journey SE - $1,149 Honda Odyssey EX - $1,149 Dodge Grand Caravan SE - $1,158
SUVs are the new Minivans What can we gather from this list? Well, Jeep holds three spots in the top 5. But aren’t Jeeps for the more reckless, adventurous drivers? Not exactly. The typical Jeep driver, according to Kelley Blue Book, is female, under 45, and a very careful driver. Not quite an adrenaline junky. SUVs in general are cheaper to insure. That’s because the drivers who take them off road for risky adventure are in a small minority. Most people who drive SUVs commute with them around the suburbs, and that’s some of the safest driving there is. In fact, according to insure.com, SUVs have replaced minivans in many of the top spots. The minivan has traditionally ruled the suburbs, but now it seems more parents are shuttling their kids around in SUVs.
Cost of Repair is Important To determine their rates, insurance companies look at the claims of previous years. If a certain car has a reputation for costly repairs, then it’s going to be more expensive to repair. In the Jeep Wrangler’s case, repairs cost less than average, contributing to its spot as #1 cheapest car to insure.
Rates Vary By State For this list, insure.com averaged annual premiums for the entire country. It’s worth noting that rates are quite different from state to state. According to insure.com, California’s average annual cost for auto insurance, for any model car, is $1,962, but neighboring Nevada’s average rate is $1,388, a difference of more than $5,000! So a Jeep Wrangler’s car insurance in Palm Desert is going to cost a bit more to insure than the same model in Carson City.
Safety is key Another reason SUVs did so well on the list is they’re safer than most cars on the road. If an SUV collides with a four-door sedan, the SUV will usually fare better. Safety, cost of repairs, and your car’s value all play a role in how much your auto insurance will cost. Whether you have one of these cheap-to-insure cars or not, Quest Financial and Insurance Services can help you find the best rate out there. Call us today for a free auto insurance quote! Photo Credit: nevit, windchime