If you’re in the market for an SUV, you should know how much it costs to insure a sport utility vehicle and where to find the cheapest insurance. This information will allow you to budget the insurance price into your total cost of ownership and ensure you don’t pay more for insurance than you should.

This guide lists the least-expensive SUVs to insure, the insurance companies offering the cheapest policies and suggestions on how to save on your premiums.

Which SUVs are the cheapest to insure?

Sub-compact SUVs have smaller engines and a whole suite of safety features. Insurance companies often charge lower rates for compact SUVs than regular SUVs because they are less likely to cause damage. 

“Compact SUVs tend to be smaller, lighter and have less horsepower than their full-size counterparts,” says Joyce Ann Guiterrez, an automotive expert with 4WheelOnline.com, an aftermarket truck parts retailer. “This means they’re less likely to cause damage in an accident and are easier to control.” 

Geico and State Farm provide the cheapest car insurance for SUVs, according to 2022 data. The Subaru Forester 2.5l Wilderness had the cheapest average annual premium for insurance from Geico at $897. Geico had the second-lowest rate, followed by State Farm.

No. 1: Subaru Forester 2.5I Wilderness

  • Insurance company: Geico 
  • Cost: $897 per year; $74.75 per month

No. 2: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport

  • Insurance company: Geico
  • Cost: $902 per year; $75.17 per month

No. 3: Hyundai Kona SE

  • Insurance company: State Farm
  • Cost: $964 per year; $80.33 per month

Which companies offer the cheapest car insurance for SUVs?

Geico and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance rates for small SUVs.

See the table below for top insurance companies’ average annual premiums for SUVs.

Average annual insurance rates from top insurance companies for SUVs
Make Model Company Avg Annual Rates
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessGeico$897
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportGeico$902
HyundaiKona SEState Farm$964
MazdaCX-30 SState Farm$970
JeepWrangler Willys SportState Farm$971
ToyotaC-HR XLEState Farm$976
HondaCR-V LXState Farm$979
VolkswagenTiguan SState Farm$991
MazdaCX-30 S SelectState Farm$997
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IState Farm$998
KiaSeltos LXState Farm$1,002
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessState Farm$1,003
HyundaiTucson SEState Farm$1,010
FordEscape SState Farm$1,013
SubaruOutback 2.5IState Farm$1,019
ChevroletTrailBlazer LState Farm$1,023
MazdaCX-5 SState Farm$1,035
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureState Farm$1,035
HyundaiKona SEGeico$1,045
HondaHR-V LXState Farm$1,047
HondaHR-V LXGeico$1,048
KiaSeltos EXState Farm$1,061
HyundaiTucson SEGeico$1,062
ToyotaC-HR XLEGeico$1,069
JeepWrangler Willys SportGeico$1,072
SubaruOutback 2.5IGeico$1,075
HondaCR-V LXGeico$1,077
ChevroletTrailBlazer LGeico$1,080
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IGeico$1,087
HondaCR-V TouringState Farm$1,091
MazdaCX-5 SGeico$1,097
MazdaCX-30 SGeico$1,099
MazdaCX-30 S SelectGeico$1,111
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessNationwide$1,111
KiaSeltos LXGeico$1,114
HondaCR-V TouringGeico$1,115
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportState Farm$1,117
FordEscape SGeico$1,122
SubaruOutback 2.5INationwide$1,125
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureGeico$1,127
VolkswagenTiguan SGeico$1,156
MazdaCX-5 SNationwide$1,157
KiaSeltos EXGeico$1,180
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureNationwide$1,210
HondaCR-V TouringNationwide$1,238
ChevroletTrailBlazer LNationwide$1,245
KiaSeltos LXNationwide$1,280
HondaCR-V LXNationwide$1,292
MazdaCX-30 SNationwide$1,293
MazdaCX-30 S SelectProgressive$1,306
ToyotaC-HR XLEProgressive$1,320
KiaSeltos LXProgressive$1,324
MazdaCX-30 S SelectNationwide$1,325
KiaSeltos EXProgressive$1,326
ToyotaC-HR XLENationwide$1,328
HyundaiTucson SENationwide$1,342
VolkswagenTiguan SProgressive$1,351
HondaCR-V TouringProgressive$1,356
FordEscape SProgressive$1,359
HondaCR-V LXProgressive$1,360
HondaHR-V LXProgressive$1,376
VolkswagenTiguan SNationwide$1,379
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportNationwide$1,381
KiaSeltos EXNationwide$1,381
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0INationwide$1,383
FordEscape SNationwide$1,386
MazdaCX-5 SProgressive$1,410
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureProgressive$1,412
MazdaCX-30 SProgressive$1,414
HyundaiTucson SEProgressive$1,434
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IProgressive$1,443
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportProgressive$1,447
HondaHR-V LXNationwide$1,450
HyundaiKona SEProgressive$1,456
JeepWrangler Willys SportNationwide$1,466
JeepWrangler Willys SportProgressive$1,508
SubaruOutback 2.5IProgressive$1,520
HyundaiKona SENationwide$1,523
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessProgressive$1,543
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportFarmers$1,573
ChevroletTrailBlazer LProgressive$1,624
HondaCR-V LXFarmers$1,694
JeepWrangler Willys SportFarmers$1,715
FordEscape SFarmers$1,717
HondaHR-V LXAllstate$1,739
HondaCR-V TouringFarmers$1,759
ChevroletTrailBlazer LFarmers$1,808
KiaSeltos EXFarmers$1,809
ToyotaC-HR XLEFarmers$1,818
SubaruOutback 2.5IFarmers$1,825
VolkswagenTiguan SAllstate$1,831
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessAllstate$1,837
HondaHR-V LXFarmers$1,838
MazdaCX-30 SFarmers$1,844
MazdaCX-5 SFarmers$1,846
MazdaCX-30 SAllstate$1,847
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureFarmers$1,857
KiaSeltos LXFarmers$1,890
HyundaiTucson SEFarmers$1,894
HyundaiKona SEFarmers$1,896
MazdaCX-30 S SelectFarmers$1,902
JeepWrangler Willys SportAllstate$1,911
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IFarmers$1,915
MazdaCX-30 S SelectAllstate$1,925
HondaCR-V LXAllstate$1,937
KiaSeltos LXAllstate$1,943
HyundaiKona SEAllstate$1,965
ChevroletTrailBlazer LAllstate$1,966
ToyotaC-HR XLEAllstate$1,967
VolkswagenTiguan SFarmers$1,978
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessFarmers$1,989
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IAllstate$2,017
SubaruForester 2.5I WildernessAmTrust$2,018
SubaruOutback 2.5IAllstate$2,028
FordEscape SAllstate$2,032
KiaSeltos EXAllstate$2,035
JeepWrangler Willys SportAmTrust$2,037
MazdaCX-5 SAllstate$2,072
MazdaCX-5 S Turbo SignatureAllstate$2,081
HyundaiTucson SEAllstate$2,089
SubaruOutback 2.5IAmTrust$2,155
KiaSeltos LXAmTrust$2,180
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportAllstate$2,193
KiaSeltos EXAmTrust$2,196
HondaCR-V TouringAllstate$2,208
SubaruCrosstrek 2.0IAmTrust$2,242
HondaCR-V LXAmTrust$2,298
JeepWrangler Unlimited SportAmTrust$2,305
FordEscape SAmTrust$2,347
HyundaiTucson SEAmTrust$2,439
HondaCR-V TouringAmTrust$2,460
HondaHR-V LXAmTrust$2,465
HyundaiKona SEAmTrust$2,475
VolkswagenTiguan SAmTrust$2,492
MazdaCX-30 SAmTrust$2,569
ChevroletTrailBlazer LAmTrust$2,642
ToyotaC-HR XLEAmTrust$2,716

Learn more about the best car insurance companies in 2023

How has the cost of insurance for an SUV changed over time?

While the cost of car insurance is on the rise overall, for SUVs, the cost decreased between 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic and less driving overall.

However, the cost of car insurance is up in 2023 and likely will continue to rise, which can be chalked up to inflation, changes in driving behaviors, and supply chain disruptions, to name a few. 

“This may change in the future due to increased costs for repair and replacement due to backlog from COVID-19 and inflationary trends downstream at the manufacturer level,” says Ian Clearly, head of auto and personal property insurance at AIG.

Car insurance cost of SUVs from 2018-2022
Make Model 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
SubaruForester 2.5I Touring$1,354$1,399$1,459$1,476$1,407
HondaCR-V LX$1,366$1,287$1,330$1,309$1,291
SubaruForester 2.5I$1,375$1,328$1,378$1,329$1,286
HondaHR-V LX$1,381$1,322$1,379$1,309$1,265
ToyotaC-HR XLE$1,384$1,392$1,451$1,485$1,508
HondaHR-V EX$1,398$1,344$1,399$1,340$1,309
VolkswagenTiguan S$1,406$1,361$1,433$1,380$1,337
SubaruOutback 2.5I$1,407$1,324$1,343$1,287$1,239
FordEscape S$1,417$1,357$1,479$1,316$1,258
HyundaiTucson SE$1,440$1,359$1,400$1,355$1,275
FordEscape SE$1,441$1,411$1,462$1,358$1,282
HondaCR-V Touring$1,444$1,387$1,402$1,407$1,407
KiaSportage LX$1,446$1,387$1,430$1,388$1,325
JeepCompass Sport$1,449$1,333$1,387$1,327$1,266
JeepCompass Latitude$1,450$1,351$1,420$1,362$1,312
ChevroletTrax LS$1,456$1,395$1,482$1,382$1,319
FordEdge SE$1,457$1,405$1,439$1,385$1,315
KiaSportage EX$1,472$1,419$1,470$1,433$1,362
FordEscape SEL$1,473$1,457$1,442$1,363$1,457
VolkswagenTiguan SE 4Motion$1,473$1,396$1,486$1,457$1,417

Are smaller SUVs cheaper to insure?

Small SUVs are cheaper to insure because they are smaller and easier to drive in traffic.

“If you go with a midsize SUV, such as a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, your rates will be lower,” Guiterrez says. “However, if you choose an extended automobile like the Ford Excursion, you can anticipate spending more on insurance. These automobiles are harder to handle in traffic, and are more prone to accident involvement.”

The length and size of an SUV can also play a role in insurance costs. 

“Shorter SUVs are easier to maneuver and less likely to roll over, so they typically have lower insurance rates than longer SUVs,” Guiterrez says. 

Why are large SUVs costlier to insure than other vehicles?

Large SUVs are typically more expensive to insure than smaller vehicles because they’re more likely to get in an accident and are more difficult to control on the road, Guiterrez says. 

“Larger SUVs are more expensive to insure because they are more likely to cause damage in the event of a collision,” says Guiterrez. “SUV drivers also usually have less driving experience than smaller car drivers, leading to more accidents.”

But small, subcompact SUVs are actually less expensive to insure than sedans. (Yes, you heard that correctly.) According to 2022 data, the average annual SUV premium was $1,729. The average annual premium for a sedan? You’re looking at $2,112 – 22% more annually than a small SUV. 

The make, model and size of your SUV also impact the price tag of insurance as smaller SUVs with small engines and many safety features mean you’ll pay low insurance rates. And if you’re driving a large, luxury model, expect your car insurance costs to climb. 

Let’s take a look at why large SUVs can be pricey to insure: 

  • Rolling risk: SUVs are more likely to be involved in a rollover accident. That’s due to — you guessed it — their larger size. 
  • Claim rate: Large SUVs can cause more damage when involved in a collision. That means more expensive claims for your insurance company. Because insurers look at claim rates, the higher the claim rate of a vehicle, the more you’ll be paying for insurance. That’s even if you’ve never made a claim. 
  • Costly repairs: Those expensive finishes and high-tech on newer, luxury SUVs can cost a pretty penny to repair or replace. In turn, it can quickly drive up insurance costs. 

As mentioned before, compact cars are less expensive to insure than SUVs because they are cheaper to repair, tend to do less damage in a collision, and are easier to navigate. 

Learn more: Which sedans are the cheapest to insure?

What are the car insurance requirements for SUVs?

The insurance requirements for SUVs are the same as for other types of vehicles: 

  • Liability: If you injure another person or damage their property with your SUV, bodily injury liability and property damage liability cover damages up to your policy’s limits. Liability coverage is required in most U.S. states. 
  • Collision: Should your SUV get damaged or destroyed after a collision with another car, collision coverage will cover damage to your vehicle. 
  • Comprehensive: Let’s say your car is damaged or destroyed by something other than a collision, such as damage from weather events, fire, flooding, vandalism, theft or an animal strike – comprehensive coverage comes into play. 
  • Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits your car, UIM coverage will help cover the cost of car repairs. 

Premiums for your SUV vary for a handful of reasons, such as: 

  • Insurance company 
  • Address where the vehicle is parked
  • Coverage amounts 
  • Deductible 
  • Driving history
  • State of residency

The size and weight of an SUV also impact SUV car insurance rates: 

  • Engine: As you might expect, SUVs equipped with powerful engines can be costly to insure, Guiterrez says. 
  • Safety features: SUVs with features like airbags and antilock brakes tend to be less expensive to insure, as they offer additional protection in the event of a collision, Guiterrez says. 
  • Risky activities: Vehicles that have a higher frequency of participating in off-road activities are deemed riskier and therefore have higher insurance rates, Guiterrez says. 

How can you save money on SUV car insurance?

There are a handful of ways you can trim some dollars off your car insurance premiums. For instance, you can look for discounts by bundling your auto insurance with homeowners insurance through the same company or signing up for autopay or paperless statements.

Other ways you can save on car insurance for an SUV include, staying accident-free for a period of time and remaining a loyal customer with the same insurer. 

Before you buy insurance for an SUV, check these items off your list:

Shop around: The beauty of car insurance shopping is that you can hop on another policy with another insurance company anytime. Get at least three quotes with the same coverage and amounts and ask about discounts.

Do your research: You’ll want to see precisely what coverage you need. Look at your state’s minimum insurance requirements. And if you took out an auto loan or are leasing your car, you’ll be required to carry full coverage insurance.

Consider your lifestyle and budget: If you put a lot of miles on your car, then a mileage-based policy won’t be for you. Do you intend to use your SUV as a commuter? Will you be taking it off-roading on weekend adventures? 

Final thoughts on cheap insurance for SUVs 

When shopping for insurance for your SUV, consider what you use your car for, how often you drive, and your personal budget. Opt for a subcompact SUV with a smaller engine and the latest safety features if you want cheaper car insurance rates. 

If you need more space and want a smooth ride, a larger, luxury SUV could be your best bet – remember, you’ll pay more to insure these SUVs.

Resources & Methodology

Methodology:

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2022 to pull rates for a 40-year-old male driver with a 12-mile commute to work and full coverage insurance. The rates were compiled using more than 2,500 vehicle models looking at rates from insurers Allstate, AmTrust, Farmers, Geico, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm.

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Contributing Researcher

Jackie Lam is a freelance writer with experience covering small business, insurance, budgeting and personal finance. She is an accredited financial coach (AFC) and helps professionals improve their relationship with money.