Sport-utility vehicles, crossovers, and minivans dominate Insure.com's list of the 10 least expensive 2015 model cars to insure, and children could be the reason why.
According to Insure.com, these kinds of vehicles are most popular with parents who are unlikely to drive 100 mph—unlike drivers of the 10 most expensive 2015 model cars to insure—or park in areas with a high risk of auto theft. Having children in the car motivates drivers to drive and care for their vehicles accordingly.
Family-friendly vehicles also typically come with plenty of safety features, says Insure.com, which reduces the odds of serious injuries.
"Insurers look at how protective a car's safety equipment is to its occupants and how likely a model is to inflict damage on other cars or their passengers," says Jeanne Salvatore, an Insurance Information Institute spokesperson.
The 10 least expensive cars to insure not only have fewer claims, but are also easier to repair.
Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate average auto insurance rates for 2015 models by examining insurance rates from Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive, and State Farm for more than 1,500 vehicle models in every state. The rates were based on full coverage for a singe 40-year-old male with a clean record and good credit who commutes 12 miles to work every day, with policy limits of $100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries, and $50,000 for property damage in an accident, as well as a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage. Most expensive rankings were determined by the worst-performing trim line of each model.
Insure.com notes that though relative rankings should remain the same, the underlying cost of car insurance varies wildly by state.
Click below to see the least expensive 2015 model cars to insure.
10. Ford Escape S 2WD
Average national premium: $1,190
9. Smart FORTWO Pure two-door
Average national premium: $1,186
Starting at $13,270, the ForTwo Pure has a base price as small as its size, which Insure.com says helps keep claims and rates low. Matt Moore of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) tells Insure.com: "Collision and comprehensive insurance (premiums) are to a large extent driven by the cost of a vehicle, and the Smart ForTwo is one of the least-expensive vehicles for sale in the United States."
The ForTwo's small size and intended use as a city car also doesn’t cost insurers much in claims. HLDI found the ForTwo's collision losses are 32% below average and its theft and other non-crash losses are 45% below average. Additionally, liability claims for damage to other cars and property is 37% below average for the tiny car.
8. Ford Edge SE 2WD
Average national premium: $1,176
7. Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD PZEZ
Average national premium: $1,176
6. Jeep Compass Sport 2WD
Average national premium: $1,164
Jeep vehicles account for three of 2015's 10 least-expensive models for car insurance, according to Insure.com’s latest annual ranking of vehicles. Experts say the brand dominates this year's insurance-bargains list because the three Jeeps atop the rundown are all entry-level models that are inexpensive to repair or replace following accidents, vandalism, or theft.
5. Honda Odyssey LX
Average national premium: $1,163
4. Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus 2WD
Average national premium: $1,162
3. Honda CR-V LX 4WD
Average national premium: $1,160
2. Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD
Average national premium: $1,136
1. Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD two-door
Average national premium: $1,134
The least expensive 2015 model car to insure is the Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD two-door hard top. The average annual premium is $1,134 -- 27% below the average rate of all 1,500 vehicle models analyzed.
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