Cheapest SUVs to insure in 2023

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.

Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Which are the cheapest SUVs to insure?
• Do insurance companies take into account the size of an SUV when setting policy prices?
• Why are smaller SUVs cheaper to insure?
• Why are large SUVs costlier to insure than other vehicles?
• What are the car insurance requirements for SUVs?
• Which companies offer the cheapest car insurance for SUVs?
• How can you save money on SUV car insurance?
• Final thoughts on cheap insurance for SUVs
• Resources & Methodology

Which are the cheapest SUVs to insure?

Sub-compact SUVs have smaller engines and a whole suite of safety features, which makes them cheaper to insure. Insurance companies often charge lower rates for compact SUVs than regular SUVs because they are less likely to cause damage to other cars in an accident. 

“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.” 

State Farm and Geico provide the cheapest car insurance for SUVs, according to 2023 data. The Chevrolet Trailblazer had the cheapest average annual premium for SUV insurance from State Farm at $1,122, followed by Geico at $1,211. 

No. 1: Chevrolet Trailblazer 

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,122 per year; $93.50 per month

No. 2: Volkswagen Taos

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,203 per year; $100.25 per month

No. 3: Mazda CX-30

• Insurance company: Geico
• Cost: $1,211 per year; $100.92 per month

No. 4: Subaru Crosstrek

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,218 per year; $101.5 per month

No. 5: Mazda CX-5

• Insurance company: State Farm
• Cost: $1,220 per year; $101.67 per month

Do insurance companies take into account the size of an SUV when setting policy prices?

Insurance companies calculate premiums based on varying factors, such as the likelihood of theft, engine size, overall safety of the vehicle, repair costs and total value. When it comes to the size of an SUV, insurance companies tend to increase premiums from a smaller SUV to a midsize and full-size SUV. 

For example, a small Mazda CX-5 average annual premiums start at $1,220. Compared with a Honda Passport, the average annual premium increases by $40 at $1,260 and $163 at $1,383 for a full-sized Chevrolet Tahoe. The increases may factor in larger engines, higher estimated vehicle value and safety ratings. Furthermore, larger vehicles cause more damage in accidents.

Learn more about average premium rate differences and the cheapest insurance companies in the following SUV rankings. 

What is the cheapest small SUV to insure?

The Mazda CX-5 is the cheapest small SUV to insure through State Farm, according to CarInsurance.com’s 2023 analysis. See how other make, models and car insurance companies rank in the table below. 

What is the cheapest midsize SUV to insure?

The Honda Passport is the cheapest midsize SUV to insure through State Farm, according to 2023 CarInsurance.com data analysis. See other midsize SUVs in the table below, as well as their annual premiums

What is the cheapest full-size SUV to insure?

The Chevrolet Tahoe is the cheapest full-size SUV to insure through State Farm, according to CarInsurance.com’s 2023 data analysis. See other full-sized SUVs in the table below, as well as their annual premiums.

Why are smaller SUVs cheaper to insure?

Small SUVs are cheaper to insure because they are smaller with smaller engines, have advanced safety features and they’re 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 cause more extensive damage in an accident. 

“Larger SUVs are more expensive to insure because they are more likely to cause damage in the event of a collision,” Guiterrez says. “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 2023 data, the average annual SUV premium is $2,165. The average annual premium for a sedan? You’re looking at $2,784. 

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: 

• Rollover 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. 

What are the car insurance requirements for SUVs?

The insurance requirements for SUVs are the same as for other types of vehicles. The minimum liability insurance requirements vary by state, but state minimums don’t offer enough financial protection for most people. 

• 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 car insurance rates: 

• Engine: As you might expect, SUVs equipped with larger, more 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. 

Which companies offer the cheapest car insurance for SUVs?

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates for SUVs, starting at an annual average premium of $1,122. Geico follows at an average annual rate of $1,211 and Nationwide with an average annual rate of $1,288.

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

Average annual insurance rates from top insurance companies for SUVs

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.

You might also be interested in

• Check out the most cost-efficient sedans 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

Insurance Information Institute. “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” 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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