What Are Some Used Cars that Are Cheap to Insure?

Last Updated on January 27, 2026

When you’re buying a used car, the sticker price is only part of the cost. Insurance premiums have climbed in recent years, and two vehicles with the same purchase price can have very different auto insurance rates.

The good news: picking a model that’s inexpensive to repair, performs well in crashes, and isn’t a top theft target can help keep your premium down. The best move is to get a few quotes before you buy—ideally using the VIN of the exact used car you’re considering.

What are the best used cars for cheap auto insurance? Below are popular models that tend to be among the least expensive to insure, plus practical tips to help you lower your rate even further.

Key Takeaways

• Used cars can be cheaper to insure, but savings mainly come from lower comprehensive/collision costs—not necessarily lower liability premiums.
• The cheapest used cars to insure are typically common, safe models with lower repair costs and fewer theft claims (often family sedans, compact SUVs, and minivans).
• Trim level matters: higher-end trims with expensive headlights, sensors, wheels, and glass can raise insurance even on the same make/model.
• The best way to save is to run quotes using the vehicle’s VIN before buying, then compare multiple insurers and choose coverage that fits the car’s value.

Top 10 Cheapest Used Cars to Insure

In general, the cheapest used cars to insure are vehicles with strong safety ratings, reasonable repair costs, and good real-world crash performance.

One quick clarification: a used car doesn’t always lower every part of your premium. Liability costs are driven mostly by driver risk (ZIP code, driving history, credit-based insurance score in many states, etc.). What often gets cheaper on an older vehicle is the portion of your premium tied to your car’s value—especially comprehensive and collision coverage.

How We Chose These “Cheaper to Insure” Used Cars

Insurance pricing varies by driver and ZIP code, but certain vehicles tend to land lower because they’re safer in real-world crashes, easier/cheaper to repair, and less likely to generate costly claims.

• Mainstream + common: abundant parts availability and more predictable repair pricing.
• Safety-forward: good crash protection and widely available safety tech across many model years.
• Lower “severity” profiles: fewer high-performance trims and fewer ultra-expensive components in common configurations.
• Reality check for your exact car: always quote by VIN to capture trim/engine/safety equipment (two “same” models can price differently).

If you want to sanity-check a specific model year, you can also review safety ratings (IIHS / NHTSA) and theft trends (NICB) alongside your VIN quotes.

With that in mind, these models are commonly associated with below-average insurance costs (especially when you’re buying a used model year with a modest trim level):

These vehicles tend to be cheaper to insure for similar reasons: they’re common, have strong safety equipment available across many model years, and don’t carry the same “high-performance” or “high-repair-cost” baggage as many luxury and sports models. And by buying a used vehicle, you’re often insuring a lower replacement value—especially if you decide full coverage isn’t worth it on an older car.

Other Cheap Used Cars to Insure

The cars above are consistently good “insurance-friendly” picks, but they’re not the only options. Depending on model year, trim, and your driver profile, many of these used vehicles can also be relatively affordable to insure:

Just remember: the model year and trim can matter almost as much as the make/model. A high-end trim with expensive wheels, headlights, sensors, or turbo upgrades can cost more to insure than the “regular” version of the same vehicle.

And of course, shopping around for auto insurance and taking advantage of discounts can make a big difference no matter what you drive.

How to Find a Used Car with Cheap Auto Insurance Premiums

When shopping for used cars, you should consider the cost of auto insurance right alongside reliability and price. Two used cars that cost the same can have very different premiums.

To find a used car with cheaper insurance, focus on these factors:

Safety ratings and safety tech: A big portion of what you pay is tied to risk. Vehicles that protect occupants well (and help prevent crashes) can be cheaper to insure. Many of the cheapest used cars for auto insurance are models with strong safety features.

Anti-theft protection and theft history: Comprehensive coverage pays for theft. Cars that are frequently stolen—or are easy targets—often cost more to insure. Vehicles with strong anti-theft features may qualify for discounts or simply experience fewer theft-related claims.

Vehicle value: The more your insurer might have to pay to repair or replace your car, the more you tend to pay (especially for comprehensive/collision). A used car worth $25,000 usually costs more to fully insure than a used car worth $8,000.

Type of vehicle: The type of vehicle matters. Insurers price based on statistics. In general, high-performance vehicles trend higher, while family vehicles are often more predictable. For example, minivans are frequently cheaper to insure than sports cars with similar price tags.

Repair costs: Some “cheap used cars” are expensive to repair. Tech-heavy headlights, radar sensors, aluminum body panels, and limited parts availability can all raise repair bills—and premiums. Common models are often easier (and cheaper) to fix.

Get quotes using the VIN: If you can, pull the VIN from the listing and run quotes on that exact vehicle. This bakes in the precise trim, engine, and safety equipment—which can change premiums more than people expect.

How to Save Money on Used Car Insurance

Even after you pick an insurance-friendly used car, you still have several ways to lower your premium.

Here are the best ways to save money on used car insurance:

Shop around and compare quotes: Rates vary dramatically by company. Some insurers price older vehicles aggressively; others prefer newer vehicles with modern safety tech. Comparing quotes is often the fastest way to save.

Choose the right coverage mix: If your used car is paid off and worth only a few thousand dollars, you might consider whether dropping collision and comprehensive coverage makes sense. States generally require liability coverage, but they do not require collision or comprehensive coverage. Just remember: if you drop them, you’re paying out of pocket to fix or replace your car after many types of losses.

Set deductibles strategically: Raising your comprehensive/collision deductibles often lowers your premium. Make sure your deductible is an amount you could realistically afford on short notice.

Use discounts and programs: Many drivers qualify for more savings than they realize. Start with common discounts, consider bundling, and look into approved driver programs. In some cases, a defensive driving course can help.

Compare quotes before you buy: This is the most overlooked trick. You don’t want to save money on the purchase price only to discover the model is unusually expensive to insure in your ZIP code.

Other Tips for Saving Money On Used Car Insurance

Want the lowest possible rates on used car insurance? Keep these practical tips in mind:

Avoid sports cars (and sporty trims): Sports cars and performance trims can cost more to insure due to higher crash severity, higher theft interest, and pricier parts (big brakes, turbo setups, specialty tires, etc.).

Be careful with EVs and tech-heavy vehicles: Electric vehicles can be fantastic cars, but repairs can be expensive (battery systems and specialized labor), and some models have higher claim costs. If you’re buying used to keep insurance low, compare quotes carefully on any EV or plug-in hybrid.

Check theft risk in your area: Some models (and some model years) are targeted more than others. High theft risk can raise comprehensive premiums—or make it harder to buy comprehensive coverage at all in certain areas.

Keep it simple on trim and options: Higher trims often add expensive headlights, sensors, cameras, wheels, and panoramic glass. Those features are great, but they can raise repair costs and premiums. If you’re optimizing for cheap insurance, a mid-level trim is often the sweet spot.

Don’t overlook “total loss” math: On older cars, even a moderate repair bill can exceed the car’s value—making it a total loss. That’s one reason some drivers eventually drop collision/comprehensive on aging vehicles.

Best Car Insurance Companies for Used Cars

There isn’t a single best company for everyone, but these insurers are widely available and commonly competitive for used-car policies. It’s smart to compare at least 3–5 quotes.

State Farm: State Farm is America’s largest car insurance company and often prices mainstream used vehicles competitively.

GEICO: GEICO is known for strong online pricing and can be especially competitive for drivers with clean records.

USAA: With top marks for service and claims satisfaction, USAA is frequently a standout option for eligible military members and families.

Progressive: Progressive is widely available and can be a strong choice if you want flexible coverage options and easy online comparisons.

Allstate: Allstate can be competitive in many areas, especially when discounts and bundling are a fit.

You can also request quotes from Farmers, Nationwide, American Family, Travelers, and smaller regional insurers, which can sometimes be the best deal for older used cars.

FAQs on Cheap Used Cars to Insure

Final Word on Used Cars That Are Cheap to Insure

Buying used is a smart way to lower your total driving costs—but insurance can still vary a lot by vehicle, trim, and ZIP code.

If your goal is cheap insurance, focus on safe, common vehicles with reasonable repair costs, avoid high-performance trims, and always compare quotes using the VIN before you commit.

Start with the used cars listed above, then shop around for coverage to lock in the best possible rate.