Last Updated on December 15, 2025

Want to buy an SUV without paying sky-high insurance premiums?

Some SUVs are consistently affordable to insure, while others can cost hundreds (or even thousands) more per year because they’re expensive to repair, expensive to replace, or more likely to generate large claims. Keep reading to discover some of the cheapest SUVs to insure in 2026—plus what actually drives the price.

Key Takeaways

• Compact SUVs with strong safety ratings and lower repair costs are usually the cheapest to insure (examples include the Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, and Subaru Forester).
• Luxury and performance SUVs can cost thousands more per year to insure because they’re expensive to repair and replace.
• Your state, ZIP code, driving record, deductible, and trim level can change your price dramatically—even for the same SUV model.
• The best way to save is to get quotes before you buy, then stack discounts like multi-car, bundling, paid-in-full, and safe-driver/telematics programs.

Top 10 Cheapest SUVs to Insure in 2026

In general, the cheapest SUVs to insure tend to be smaller, have lower MSRPs, have lower repair costs, and earn strong safety ratings. That’s why models like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Mazda CX-5 show up on “cheap to insure” lists year after year.

Here are 10 SUVs that tend to rank among the most affordable to insure nationwide (average full-coverage premiums can vary by insurer and state):

1. Honda CR-V: $1,932 per year
2. Honda HR-V: $1,936 per year
3. Volkswagen Tiguan: $1,979 per year
4. Chevrolet TrailBlazer: $2,012 per year
5. Subaru Forester: $2,013 per year
6. Mazda CX-5: $2,021 per year
7. Subaru Outback: $2,042 per year
8. Hyundai Kona: $2,048 per year
9. Hyundai Tucson: $2,062 per year
10. Volkswagen Taos: $2,064 per year

Important: These are nationwide averages for “full coverage” pricing (typically liability + comprehensive + collision). Your actual price can be much higher or lower depending on your state, ZIP code, driving history, credit/insurance score (where allowed), deductible choices, and the exact trim you buy.

Also note: even within the same model, insurance can change based on trim level, engine, wheel size, and advanced safety tech. A base trim can be noticeably cheaper to insure than a performance trim or a fully loaded model.

Honorable Mentions: Other SUVs That Are Often Affordable to Insure

These SUVs frequently land in the “still pretty affordable” category and may be a great fit if you want something slightly larger or with different features:

• Toyota RAV4: Often priced close to other compact SUVs, depending on trim and where you live.
• Ford Escape: Frequently competitive for full coverage, especially in lower-cost states.
• Honda Pilot: A popular family SUV that can still be reasonably priced compared to larger luxury SUVs.

Factors That Impact the Cost of SUV Insurance

Two SUVs can look similar on the lot but have very different insurance costs. Here are the biggest factors that raise or lower SUV insurance premiums:

Size and weight: Many of the cheapest SUVs are compact models. Smaller SUVs typically cost less to repair and may cause less damage in some crashes. Larger SUVs can lead to bigger claim payouts (vehicle damage + injuries), which can raise premiums.

MSRP and vehicle value: Insurers price coverage based on how expensive your SUV is to replace or total. If your SUV is stolen or involved in a total loss insurance claim, your insurer may be paying out a lot more on a $60,000 SUV than a $30,000 one.

Crash performance and injury risk: SUVs can generate large claims because they have more mass. A vehicle can be safe for its occupants and still be expensive for insurers if crashes tend to cause high damage and medical bills for your insurer.

Safety ratings and safety tech: SUVs with strong crash-test performance and features like automatic emergency braking often qualify for discounts. Better safety can also reduce claim severity.

Repair and parts costs: Popular SUVs with widely available parts and lots of qualified repair shops are often cheaper to insure. Specialty parts, pricey headlights, panoramic glass, and expensive bumpers/sensors can raise claim costs fast.

Advanced tech and calibration: Newer SUVs often need camera/sensor calibration after windshield replacement or front-end repairs. That extra labor and equipment can push repair bills higher (and higher repair bills generally lead to higher premiums over time).

EV and hybrid components: Some electrified SUVs can be expensive to insure because repairs can be more specialized and battery-related damage can be costly. (For example, EV battery replacement can be a major expense—see its battery.)

State laws, claims environment, and ZIP code: Insurance pricing varies dramatically by location. That’s why the same driver with the same SUV could pay far less in one state and far more in another. See average pricing differences here: insurance rates per state.

Driver-specific factors: Your driving record, age, credit/insurance score (where allowed), mileage, and claims history matter a lot. Two drivers can insure the same SUV in the same ZIP code and get very different prices—especially if one has a clean record with no citations or at-fault accidents and the other has recent violations or claims.

Top 10 Most Expensive SUVs to Insure in 2026

Luxury and high-performance SUVs tend to be the most expensive to insure because they’re costly to repair, costly to replace, and more likely to generate large claims. Here are 10 SUVs that often rank among the most expensive to insure nationwide:

1. Mercedes-AMG G63: $5,357 per year
2. BMW X6 M: $5,067 per year
3. Maserati Levante: $5,042 per year
4. Audi RS Q8: $4,998 per year
5. BMW XM: $4,975 per year
6. Tesla Model X: $4,805 per year
7. Land Rover Range Rover: $4,790 per year
8. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: $4,663 per year
9. Mercedes-AMG GLS-Class: $4,568 per year
10. BMW X5 M: $4,534 per year

Best Insurance Companies for SUV Drivers

There’s no single “best” insurer for SUV drivers—because rates vary so much by driver profile, location, and vehicle trim. But some companies are consistently competitive for many SUV owners thanks to discounts, underwriting appetite, and strong pricing in certain regions.

These insurers are a solid place to start comparing quotes (and they may be especially competitive depending on your state and eligibility):

• USAA (for eligible military members and families)
• GEICO
• State Farm
• Progressive
• Allstate
• Farmers

If you’re deciding between two SUVs, get quotes for both before you buy—many shoppers are surprised when the “better deal” vehicle costs much more to insure.

How to Save Money on SUV Insurance

You can often cut your premium significantly with the right strategy. Here are some of the best ways to save money on SUV insurance:

• Use multi-vehicle discounts by insuring multiple vehicles with the same company
• Ask about paid-in-full discounts and paperless billing discounts
• Bundle auto + home/renters when it makes sense (bundling can be one of the biggest discounts for many drivers)
• Shop around regularly—rates can change at renewal, and the cheapest company for one driver may not be the cheapest for another
• Consider driver tracking tools if you’re a safe driver and don’t mind sharing driving data
• Choose the SUV trim wisely (performance trims and high-end packages often cost more to insure)
• Increase your deductible (if you can comfortably afford it) to reduce your monthly premium

FAQs on the Cheapest SUVs to Insure

Final Word – Cheapest SUVs to Insure

SUVs can be more expensive to insure than smaller cars, but there are plenty of SUVs with surprisingly affordable premiums—especially compact models with strong safety ratings and reasonable repair costs.

The best move is to narrow your choices to a few SUVs, then compare quotes across multiple companies. With the right vehicle and the right insurer, you can save a meaningful amount every year on SUV insurance.