Cheapest sedans to insure in 2023

If you’re shopping around for a sedan, you must budget for more than just a car payment. You should know how much it will cost to insure the car and where you can find the cheapest car insurance. 

But finding the cheapest insurance isn’t always easy – there are many sedan models and styles, and consumers should know that premiums vary for different features. 

The number of variables factored into your car insurance rate can make your head spin, says Chris Hardesty, an insurance expert and senior advice editor for Kelley Blue Book.

“Driver-assist technologies can make your car safer on the road and potentially avoid a crash,” Hardesty says. “At the same time, those electronic features are more expensive to repair or replace following an accident. It’s good that insurance companies have tremendous amounts of data to help them predict risk and cost.”

This guide gives sedan buyers and owners a better understanding of rates and what they will likely pay for sedan car insurance in 2023. 

Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• What are the cheapest sedans to insure?
• Do insurance companies take into account the size of a sedan when setting policy prices?
• What are the car insurance requirements for sedans?
• Which companies provide the cheapest car insurance for sedans?
• How has the cost of sedan insurance changed over time?
• What leads to higher car insurance costs for sedans?
• How can you save money on car insurance for sedans?
• Sedans vs. SUVs: Which are cheaper to insure?
• Final thoughts on cheap insurance for sedans
• Resources & Methodology

What are the cheapest sedans to insure?

The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest sedan to insure at an average annual premium from State Farm of $1,274, according to CarInsurance’s 2023 data. State Farm also had the second- and third-lowest rates for the Subaru Legacy and Toyota Corolla.

No. 1: Subaru Impreza   

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,274 per year; $106.17 per month

No. 2: Subaru Legacy 

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,363 per year; $113.58 per month

No. 3: Kia Rio

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,372 per year; $114.33 per month

No. 4: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,372 per year; $114.33 per month

No. 5: Toyota Corolla

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,373 per year; $114.42 per month

Do insurance companies take into account the size of a sedan when setting policy prices?

When determining premiums, car insurance companies typically factor in the type of car you drive, its cost, potential repair costs and theft. Additionally, they assess safety features, potential damage to another car during an accident and luxury model features. 

Yes, they do take into account the size of a sedan when setting policy prices. 

According to CarInsurance.com’s 2023 data analysis, drivers of a small Toyota Corolla sedan can estimate an average annual premium of $1,373. Comparatively, drivers of a midsize Honda Accord have an average annual premium of $1,420, a difference of $47. And, drivers of a full-size Dodge Charger can see a steep increase of nearly $600 at an average annual premium of $1,965.

See the tables below to further compare premiums, insurance companies and sedan size.

Cheapest small sedans to insure

The Toyota Corolla is the cheapest small SUV to insure through State Farm, according to 2023 data analysis. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is $1 cheaper per year to insure. Learn what other insurance companies offer the cheapest coverage for sedans in the table below. 

Cheapest midsize sedans to insure

The Honda Accord ranks as the cheapest midsize sedan to insure through State Farm, according to 2023 data. Learn more about the cheapest midsize sedans to insure in the table below.  

Cheapest full size sedans to insure

CarInsurance.com’s 2023 data ranks the Toyota Crown as the cheapest full-size SUV to insure through State Farm. Full-size sedans typically don’t rank in the “cheap” category, so there is data for only two vehicle models.

What are the car insurance requirements for sedans?

The insurance requirements for sedans are the same as for other types of vehicles.

Here are your insurance options when you have a sedan, but keep in mind that these are not all legal requirements, which vary by state:

• Liability: If you injure another person or damage their property while at the wheel of your sedan, bodily injury liability and property damage liability will help cover damages up to your policy’s limits. Liability coverage is required in most U.S. states. 
• Collision: If your car is damaged or destroyed after a collision with another car, collision coverage will cover damage. 
• Comprehensive: Should your vehicle be damaged or destroyed by something other than a collision –  fire, flooding, vandalism, theft, weather events or an animal strike – comprehensive coverage comes to the rescue. 
• Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: If your car is damaged in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, UM/UIM coverage will help foot the repair bill.

How much you’ll pay for car insurance for a sedan depends on a number of factors:

• Insurance company 
• Age, make and model of the vehicle 
• Address where the vehicle is garaged
• Coverage amounts (the more extensive the coverage, the more expensive) 
• Deductible (a higher deductible means a cheaper premium) 
• Individual driving history
• State of residency

The cheapest type of insurance for sedans that is currently available is liability-only insurance. But if you’re leasing or financing your car, you need comprehensive and collision insurance and liability insurance. 

Which companies provide the cheapest car insurance for sedans?

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates for sedans, starting at an annual average premium of $1,274 for a Subaru Impreza. Learn how other insurance companies’ annual premiums rank for sedans in the table below.

Average annual insurance rates from top insurance companies for sedans

Learn more about which are the best car insurance companies

How has the cost of sedan insurance changed over time?

While the cost of car insurance is rising overall, there was a slight dip in cost between 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost of car insurance continues to climb in 2022 and will continue as claims frequency and severity is increasing, according to Mark Frielander of the Insurance Information Institute.

What leads to higher car insurance costs for sedans?

According to a Kelley Blue Book report, SUVs made up the lion’s share of car sales in the first half of 2022. However, in the first quarter of 2023, sedans saw an uptick in sales, about 21.4% of the 3.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S., according to the Automotive News Research & Data Center. 

This has safety implications since sedans are so much smaller than trucks and SUVs.

Here are some factors that lead to a higher insurance cost for sedans:

Car make and model: The price tag of your insurance hinges on the specific car make and model. Luxury vehicles, larger cars, more powerful engines and models with more bells and whistles mean more expensive car insurance. 

Higher potential for theft: One downside to the popularity of sedans is that they are also attractive to car thieves, Hardesty says. In fact, data by the NICB reveals that 5 of the top 10 most stolen cars in the U.S. are sedans. 

“And it isn’t necessarily fancy new sedans that thieves want most,” he says. “Some criminals target older sedans only for the car’s parts, which are in high demand.”

Cost to repair: Sedans with more features, electronic components or expensive parts will cost more. In turn, the insurance premium will be higher.

Market value: Sedans with a higher market value – or resale value – will come with a higher insurance price tag.

Safety features: Sedans with safety features such as brake assist, airbags, anti-lock brakes and backup cameras can lower the odds of getting into a car crash, decreasing your insurance cost.

How can you save money on car insurance for sedans?

To save on car insurance, understand that an older car will also be cheaper to insure than a newer luxury model. And the higher your deductible, the lower your premium and vice versa.

Take these steps before buying a car insurance policy for your sedan:

Research to see what type of coverage you need: As mentioned before, you’ll want to see what types of insurance and coverage amounts you’ll need. Each state has different requirements, and most states require liability. If you are leasing or financing a car, you’ll most likely need full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance.

Comparison shop: To save on car insurance for your sedan, it’s important to do your research to get an idea of the rates. Get a few quotes from a handful of lenders for the same types and amounts of coverage. The beauty of car insurance is that you can hop on a new policy with a different insurance company at any time.

Look for discounts: You’ll also want to see if there are any discounts. Common discounts for car insurance include a good driver discount, a membership discount if you’re affiliated with a certain organization, a multi-vehicle discount and bundled discount if you purchase both a homeowners insurance and auto insurance policy with the same company. 

Sedans vs. SUVs: Which are cheaper to insure?

According to our research, a sedan is more expensive to insure than an SUV. The average insurance premium for an SUV is $2,165, while a sedan is $2,784, according to 2023 data. 

Why’s that? Well, it has to do with safety considerations.

“Those SUVs and trucks have grown heavier and taller, while sedans are comparatively petite and close to the road,” Hardesty says. “The difference in weight and stature can put sedans at a disadvantage, leading to higher insurance rates.” 

Final thoughts on cheap insurance for sedans

When shopping around for insurance for a sedan, consider what you use your car for, how often you drive, and your personal budget. If you want cheaper car insurance rates, opt for a used car with less features. 

If a luxury model or a sedan with more advanced features is a better fit for your needs and lifestyle, then there’s no reason to deprive yourself — know it will cost more to insure. 

You might also be interested in

• Uncover the most affordable SUVs for insurance
• Identify the cheapest trucks to insure
• Discover the top 20 most affordable cars to insure
• Explore the top 20 most costly cars to insure
• Find the most budget-friendly car insurance companies
• Calculate insurance rates for your used car with our tool

Resources & Methodology

Sources

Kelley Blue Book. “In an SUV World, Can Cars Make a Comeback?” Accessed October 2023.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com editors in 2023 collected rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old male with a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage for a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductible. We analyzed 28,561,720 records, 510 ZIP codes and 58 insurance companies nationwide.

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

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John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

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