Cheapest cars to insure for 2020

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Ever wonder what is the cheapest car to insure where you live?

We have the answer for you. We ran the numbers to identify the cheapest 2020 car to insure in each state and came up with six vehicles. This is a pretty dramatic contraction from 2019 when there were 15 models making up our list -- this year, a mere six vehicles fit the bill. While our list is a bit shorter this year, it still offers a variety of vehicle types. Models ranging from Jeeps to small cars to mini vans are among the cheapest vehicles to insure across the nation.

Cost to insure the cheapest 2020 vehicles

Jeep was by far the big winner. The Jeep Wrangler Black and Tan was the cheapest 2020 model to insure in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and the Wrangler Freedom in seven states and D.C. The Chrysler Voyager was the cheapest to insure in nine states, while the Chevy Express 2500 (a cargo van) was top of the heap in seven states. Rounding out the list is the Hyundai Kona with five states and the Buick Envision bringing up the rear with two states.

In 2019, there were seven vehicles that were the cheapest to insure in a single state. This year no vehicle had that distinction, but the Buick Envision this year is the vehicle that is cheapest to insure in the fewest states, two.

When looking at the cost to insure the cheapest car in every state, premiums varied dramatically across states, with Maine claiming the top spot. In the Pine Tree State, you can insure a Jeep Wrangler Black and Tan for $689 a year. This is hardly a surprise, Maine is often on top of cheapest states for car insurance lists due to its small population and rural setting.

On the other side of the spectrum is Michigan, where insuring a 2020 Chevrolet Express G2500 will run $2,256. This is not really a surprise either. Michigan was the most expensive state last year as well. The Wolverine State historically has always been at the top of the list for most expensive states for car insurance due to its unique unlimited personal injury protection benefits system that was in place for decades. Despite changes signed into law by the governor last year to mitigate this, prices have yet to drop.

The national average for the cost to insure the cheapest car in every state came in at $1,407.

Most of the vehicles on our list have a few things in common, they are pretty affordable, loaded with safety features as standard equipment and tend to be driven by safety conscious drivers -- all things that insurance companies love.

The premium can vary pretty dramatically between states, even with the same car. As an example, insuring the Chevy G2500 can cost anywhere between $1,028 in Virginia and $2,256 in Michigan, which is a 119% increase.

2020: Top 5 cheapest cars to insure in every state

You’ll see in the table below which 2020 vehicles are the cheapest to insure in your state. Enter the name of a state to see the five cheapest vehicles, and their average rates for a full coverage policy for driver age 30. Keep reading for an analysis of which vehicles were the most affordable to insure in every state.

What cars are the least expensive to insure by state?

2020 Jeep Wrangler Black and Tan

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Black and Tan is number one on our list, being the cheapest vehicle in 20 states. Premiums ranged from $689 in Maine to $2,075 in Louisiana.

"Thanks to a very competitive market, Maine consumers are paying less for auto insurance than consumers in nearly every other state," Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa stated in a recent press release.

Currently, Maine has the lowest rate of uninsured drivers in the entire country. A mere 4.5% of drivers are out on the road without insurance which lowers insurance companies' risk, leading to affordable rates.

There are a variety of reasons why the Wrangler tops the list in so many states. Jeeps are usually affordable to insure and often top the cheapest cars to insure lists. The majority of Jeeps tend to be bare-bones vehicles, which makes them cheap to repair, which insurers love. While they are designed for off-road use, many Jeep owners spend the majority of their time on paved roads so they don't get damaged as often as you would think, also a positive for insurers.

The Wrangler Black and Tan is the most affordable car to insure in 20 states which include:

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• California
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Dakota
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• Washington

2020 Chrysler Voyager L

The Voyager L, which is the base model of the Voyager lineup, managed to put nine states on the board. Premiums ranged from $883 in New Hampshire to $2,027 in Florida.

The Voyager is Chrysler’s minivan and the L is the base model which starts around $27,000. Like most minivans, the Voyager is mainly driven by parents who are extra cautious out on the road which leads to less accidents and claims, all good news for insurers.

The Voyager also earned a top five-star crash test safety rating from the NHTSA, another factor that insurance companies love. A low starting price combined with an excellent safety rating and its popularity with parents makes this a very affordable choice in many states.

The Voyager is the most affordable car to insure in nine states:

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Kentucky
• New Hampshire
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Wisconsin

2020 Jeep Wrangler Freedom

Another Jeep hits our list, the Freedom, and is the cheapest to insure in seven states and the nation capitol, with premiums ranging from $876 in Idaho to $1,474 in D.C. The Freedom is simply a different trim level (there are 13 of them in 2020) of the Wrangler. Another one, the Black and Tan, is the big winner this year.

The Freedom starts around $37,000 and is cheap to insure for all of the same reasons the Black and Tan made the list. A bare bones construction, cheap repair costs and plenty of available parts make Jeeps extremely cheap to insure.

The Wrangler Freedom is the most affordable vehicle to insure in seven states and D.C.:

• DC
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Wyoming

2020 Chevrolet Express G2500 and G2500 LS

This is the only cargo van on the list, which is not a huge surprise, cargo vans are not super popular with the general public. Premiums ranged from $1,028 in Virginia to $2,256 in Michigan. The Express GS2500 is a straight cargo van while the LS is the passenger version, great for hauling large numbers of people.

Cargo vans tend to have high-end features, which helps explain the low rates for these two vehicles. In addition, they are often used in commercial settings (deliveries or at resorts for the passenger vans) where they are driven pretty carefully leading to low claim rates. Finally, due to the fact that much of the back end of the van is empty space (with some bench seats in the passenger version) without any expensive electronics or high-end finishes, repairs tend to be cheap.

The Chevy Express G2500 and G2500LS ended up being the most popular model in seven states which include:

• Arizona - G2500
• Colorado - G2500LS
• Michigan - G2500
• New Mexico - G2500LS
• Oregon – G2500LS
• Virginia – G2500
• West Virginia – G2500LS

If you’re interested in what other cheap models are in these states aside from vans, refer to the “Top 5” chart above.

2020 Hyundai Kona SEL Plus

The Hyundai Kona was the cheapest car to insure in five states and premiums ranged from $1,264 in Missouri to $1,357 in South Carolina.

The Kona is Hyundai’s second smallest SUV. The SEL Plus trim starts around $24,000, this low start price is almost certainly a factor in keeping insurance cheap.

Hyundai has taken safety to the next level by making SmartSense standard equipment on many of their vehicles, including the Kona. This package of safety equipment includes Forward Collison Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keep Assist as well as High Beam Assist and a number of other safety systems.

Insurance companies love advanced safety features because they lower the risk of an accident and claim which is why vehicles that come with them tend to be cheaper to insure. (However, in some higher end models these high-tech features can be costly to repair or replace so it’s not always the case that sophisticated safety features result in lower rates.)

This Hyundai model managed to be the cheapest to insure in five states which include:

• Kansas
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New York
• South Carolina

2020 Buick Envision Preferred

The Buick Envision was the cheapest to insure in only two states. In Iowa you will be spending around $1,068 for coverage, while in Texas you will have to fork up $1,543 to properly insure this beauty.

Much like the Chevy Traverse last year, the Envision is a bit of a mystery. The Preferred trim level starts around $34,000 so certainly not the cheapest vehicle on our list and while it is loaded with safety features and airbags, it’s list of advanced safety features is not overly impressive.

However, as a compact SUVs it is probably driven mainly by families so it’s low insurance costs may be caused by the same factors that make mini-vans so affordable to insure. 

The Buick Envision Preferred was the cheapest car to insure in only two states which include:

• Iowa
• Texas

The cheapest cars to insure across the nation

Now that we have taken a look at the cheapest car in each state, let’s have a quick look at the cheapest cars to insure for 2020 across the nation. This list of vehicles is a bit different than our state by state list, but some manufacturers are well represented on both.

Jeep is a prime example, it was by far the most popular automaker on our state by state list and managed to put three vehicles on this list, including the Wrangler Sport which is the third cheapest vehicle to insure in the nation.

Much like our state by state list, many of these vehicles are family friendly vehicles that come loaded with safety features. However, this list has a bit more variety, there is even a pickup truck. The cheapest vehicles to insure are ones that are popular with reliable and safe drivers while also having the lowest number of claims. A sports car meant to go 180 mph will likely have more speeding tickets than a minivan used to transport the kids to soccer practice.

We analyzed rates in every state for approximately 3,000 different vehicle models. Our team pulled insurance quotes from six major insurance companies and averaged the premiums and compiled the list below.

Here are the cheapest cars to insure for 2020 :

Cheapest cars to insure 2020

The Mazda CX-3 came out on top as the cheapest car to insure this year. The CX-3 only costs $1,324 to insure which is $580 less than the national average of $1,904. The Honda CR-V LX came in second with a premium of $1,333 and the Jeep Wrangler Sport S rounded out the top three.

As usual, SUV and CUVs dominated the list. There was a whopping 15 SUVs and CUVs in the top 20. Five vans managed to make the grade as did one sedan and one pickup.

The CX-3 is a small CUV that is extremely popular with families and it is packed with safety features. The 148-horsepower engine has enough juice to get your around but it's not exactly powerful, leading to a low insurance premium.

The Honda CR-V LX nabbed the number two spot with an annual premium of $1,333. In fact, Honda managed to put five vehicles in the top 20, including the CR-V, Odyssey and the HR-V LX. Safety features abound in Honda vehicles which tends to push down insurance premiums.

Lane-departure warning with steering assist is newly standard for 2020, as is forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Cars loaded with advanced safety features are involved in fewer accidents, which prevents claims, leading to lower insurance costs.

The Jeep Wrangler JL Sport S finished third this year, costing $1,334 a year to insure, which is not really a surprise. Jeeps are fairly bare bones which makes them cheap to repair, and cheap to insure.

The Subaru Outback 2.5I slotted into the fourth-place spot and the Fiat 500X Pop rounded out the top five. Subaru's are loaded with advanced safety features, even the base models are equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes active safety features like Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering Function, all of which leads to lower premiums.

While many of the vehicles on the list are SUVs and CUVs, there are a few other options. Three minivans hit the top 20, the Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica Touring and the Dodge Grand Caravan SE. If you are in the market for a pickup, there are two options to choose from that come with affordable insurance rates, the GMC Canyon and the Ford F-150 XL.

How car models affect insurance rates?

Our list clearly points out that the sticker price, target audience, repair costs and safety features in a vehicle impact insurance costs. Vehicles that are designed with families in mind tend to come loaded with safety features and rank high on least expensive to insure lists.

A few vehicle factors that insurers consider:

• People driving the vehicle: If a car is popular with families, or any other group known to be safe drivers an insurer will likely charge lower rates for that vehicle.
• Safety features: Cars with lane departure alerts, back-up cameras, autonomous braking and automatic restraint systems should have fewer accidents and claims. Insurers, in turn, may offer lower rates on those vehicles.
• Repair costs: Vehicle repairs are more complicated than 20 years ago which pushes up the cost of fixing a vehicle. Camera's and sensors can make even a fender bender a fairly expensive repair and all of that expense is passed on to you via higher insurance premiums.
• Sticker price: More expensive vehicles will likely cost more to insure. If the vehicle gets destroyed, the insurer will have to pay a hefty claim. More repair costs mean higher rates for you.
• Claim rates: Insurance companies love data. One data point that insurers look at which will impact your rates is the claim rate of your particular vehicle. If your vehicle is a favorite of car thieves or is just prone to claims, you will pay more for car insurance regardless of whether you have ever made a claim or not.
• Trim level: The trim level you choose can also impact your rates. A higher trim level often adds expensive features and possibly a bigger engine, both of which make the car more expensive to repair or replace, resulting in a higher premium. The majority of vehicles on our list are the base model trim so moving up the trim level ladder will add features (and costs) to the car, pushing up the cost of insurance.

If cheap insurance is important, avoid these types of vehicles

The data clearly shows, the type of car you drive impacts the cost of your insurance. Avoid these vehicles to keep your insurance costs low:

• Sports cars: Avoid sports cars like the plague if you want to keep your insurance affordable. Sports cars are designed to be driven fast which can lead to tickets, accidents and claims, all factors insurers hate, leading to higher rates.
• High-end luxury cars: These cars are expensive to insure for a couple of different reasons. First, they come with a hefty price tag so if the car is destroyed the insurer will have to write a big check to replace it. Second, luxury vehicles are packed to the gills with expensive technology and finishes which make them pricey to repair.
• Electric vehicles: A giant battery and high-end technology make these vehicles expensive to repair or replace. The battery alone can run thousands of dollars if it needs to be replaced.
• Favorites of car thieves: If the vehicle you are considering makes an appearance on any "most stolen vehicles" list you will be paying more for insurance.

Other factors insurers consider

The vehicle you drive is not the only thing insurers consider when setting a premium. Here are a few factors that will impact your rate:

• Your Driving record: Your driving record is one of the biggest factors insurance companies consider. If you have multiple tickets, accidents or claims on your record, your premium is headed sky-high. Avoid tickets and claims to keep your insurance rates as low as possible and use your insurance only for major accidents. The good news is that you have complete control over this factor (unlike some others) so drive safe to lower your insurance costs.
• Location of your vehicle: The reason insurers care about where your car sits each night is because they have to pay for a new one if it is stolen. If your neighborhood is known for crime you will be paying a higher rate for insurance.
• Age and gender: Statistics show that young drivers (particularly male drivers) are involved in more accidents and tickets. This leads to higher rates, if you have a teen driver in the house prepare for your insurance bill to almost double.
• Your specific vehicle: If your vehicle is designed for speed, or loaded with luxury features, you will pay a higher rate for coverage. Family friendly vehicles loaded with safety features (think minivans and SUVs) garner the lowest rates.
• Credit score: Most insurers use your credit score when setting your rates and it can have a big impact on your rates. Statistics show that drivers with low credit scores tend to file more claims so if your score is less than stellar you will pay higher rates.

Shop insurance when car shopping

It’s a good idea to shop your insurance coverage when buying a new car. Insurance costs can vary dramatically from one car to another, even among trim levels of the same vehicle. Gather insurance quotes on any vehicle you are considering so there are no surprises when it’s time to insure your new ride. When getting quotes be sure you get one for each vehicle and trim level you are considering.

A few tips to lower your insurance costs

There are ways to get lower car insurance rates without resorting to poor coverage. Here are some ideas:

• Discounts: Insurers offer many discounts and your job is to make sure every discount you qualify for is applied to your policy. Common discounts include bundling, good student, low mileage drivers and even going paperless on your policy. Ask your agent to do a discount review to make sure you are getting all available discounts.
• Defensive driving course: Many insurance companies will discount your premium if you take an approved defensive driving course. This is especially helpful with teen drivers. Ask your agent for details and a list of approved courses.
• Paperless policy: Most insurance companies will offer a small discount if you go paperless on your policy. Receiving your policy details and bills via email may not result in a huge discount but they all add up.
• Raise your deductible: Raising your policy’s deductible can result in a major discount. If possible, double your deductible but always choose a deductible you can easily afford in the event you have to make a claim on your policy.
• Shop around: This is probably the best way to lower your premium. You should shop your rates at least once a year, getting quotes from at least five insurers. Check into the companies to make sure you’re comfortable with them before signing up for a policy.
• Improve your credit score: As mentioned above, your credit score can have a big impact on your rates. If possible, improve your score to lower your insurance rates. Pay your bills on time, pull a credit report and look for errors and if you find any get them corrected. As your credit scores improves ask your agent to rerun your premium.