Car insurance may be a necessity in this life, but there’s one thing it doesn’t need to be: expensive.
What you pay at the end of the day to keep your car legally covered depends on a number of factors, including personal details such as your age, gender, residence, and past driving experience.
There are some elements under your control, however, not least of which is the car you choose to drive.
Size definitely matters when it comes to car insurance policies, as well as another old adage: bigger is better. Counterintuitive as it may seem, larger vehicles are often less expensive to cover, as bulkier rides are typically driven by more mature motorists and tend to be safer in accidents. (However, a larger car may also drive up your liability insurance costs, as it could be more likely to do damage to smaller vehicles.)
When it comes to engines, however, the opposite holds true. Size becomes a burden when trying to keep auto insurance costs down, as companies typically charge more for higher horsepower.
And while cruising around in an enviable auto may be a dream for some, it comes at a price: car insurance companies will offer more expensive policies for vehicles statistically more likely to be stolen.
Still, it’s possible to hit the sweet spot between something that you’ll want to ride around in, provides enough power, is a good size, and won’t break the bank.
Keep reading to see which cars 24/7 Wall St. ranked with the lowest average insurance policies in 2018. (Rankings are based on the model’s average collision insurance policy, which covers the cost of repairing your own car after an accident.)
10—Volvo XC60
At $41,500, this luxury SUV may be costly, but insuring it isn’t.
The four-door, two-wheel-drive Volvo model had an average annual collision insurance plan of just $315.90, proving you don’t always have to pay higher prices for high quality.
9—Ford Expedition
The hulking SUV has size on its side: its large and sturdy shell keeps it particularly safe in most collisions.
The $51,790 vehicle gives buyers a break when it comes to insurance, costing just $284.70 per year on average for collision coverage.
8—Acura MDX
The four-door, two-wheel-drive luxury SUV is technically midsize, but it can save drivers big bucks on insurance.
The typical cost for a year of collision insurance is just $280.80 on the $44,200 car.
7—Subaru Forester
The four-door, four-wheel-drive SUV may skew small—but it’s mighty.
Its well-built design gives the $22,795 vehicle an average collision car insurance rate of $273.
6—GMC Canyon
At just $21,100, the small four-wheel-drive pickup truck hauls in the savings on its price tag and its car insurance policies.
The average collision plan for the vehicle costs just $257.40 per year.
5—Chevrolet Silverado 1500
A larger truck with a larger price point, the four-wheel-drive vehicle actually costs less when it comes to collision plans.
The $28,300 vehicle runs about $253.50 annually for the collision coverage.
4—Acura RDX
Paying the collision insurance bill for this luxury SUV is a treat.
The $36,000 vehicle comes with an average annual collision policy of just $249.60.
3—Mazda CX-5
It’s one of the smallest cars on this list—and comes with one of the smallest car insurance policies.
On average, the four-door, two-wheel-drive version of the SUV will run a buyer $24,150—and just $245.70 a year in collision insurance.
2—Subaru Outback
This four-wheel-drive wagon is well-known for its nearly indestructible design—and that forethought pays dividends when it comes to collision insurance.
The average annual policy comes in at $222.30 for the $25,895 car.
1—Jeep Wrangler
These classic American vehicles were originally built to keep soldiers safe, so they’re a natural for protecting drivers on even the craziest roads the country has to offer.
It’s just one reason why the $23,995 vehicles top the list, with collision insurance rates averaging just $206.70. Good thing, too, because it leaves plenty of leftover money to buy adventure supplies.