What are the cheapest cars to insure?
See below for 5 models that come with the lowest insurance premiums in 2021
There are many different factors that can influence the cost of your car insurance premiums, including (but not limited to) your:
- Age (younger drivers usually pay more as they have little experience)
- Driving history (i.e. how many claims you've made in the past, convictions, etc.)
- Geographical location (some areas in the UK pose more risks to insurers)
Another key factor that determines the price of your car insurance premiums is the car itself.
Car insurers typically use an industry standard called Thatcham's Group Rating Panel as a guide when quoting car insurance prices for drivers. The panel puts cars into insurance groups (ranging from 1 to 50) based on a number of varying details about the vehicle, such as:
- Car performance (i.e. acceleration and top speed)
- Car security features (technology, etc.)
- Cost of spare parts (based on 23 of the most common parts)
- Car maintenance (i.e. how long it may take to fix, how much is costs to maintain, etc.)
- Car value (when buying it as new)
By using this rating guide, cars are placed in numerical groups – with group 1 vehicles typically attracting the lowest insurance premiums and those in category 50 working out to be the most expensive. See the full list of cars in insurance groups 1-20 here.
Below we’ve listed some of the cheapest and most popular cars to insure in 2021. If you want to save money on your car insurance, read our 10 tips for reducing the cost of cover or get a quote here:
5 cheap cars to insure - The best cars for low insurance
1. Citroën C1
If you’re looking for a low insurance car as a new, first-time driver, or you are an experienced driver looking to get cheaper car insurance as well as buy a new, cheap-to-run car, you can’t go wrong with the Citroën C1.
This hatchback comes either as a three-door or five-door, depending on your needs, and it is perfect for driving around in the city or making short journeys. If you’re looking for something to drive on longer journeys then something like the Volkswagen up! may be better suited to you (this car also comes with low premiums) as it offers “more refinement and comfort” according to carbuyer.
In a review by AutoExpress, the Citroën C1 is “easy to drive”, has “good acceleration” and the latest version of the model is “more lavishly equipped than the original”.
2. Renault Clio
The Renault Clio has been a popular car amongst young and older drivers for years, and its low insurance premiums and cheap running costs make this no surprise.
Its look has changed significantly since its introduction to UK roads in 1990, and the latest version of the car has a more “athletic shape” (What Car?), which will appeal to drivers looking for a low-cost runaround that has a bit of style, grace and edge.
3. Nissan QashQai
With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Qashqai is one of the best low insurance cars on the UK market in 2021.
According to MoneySuperMarket, the Qashqai has an average car insurance premium of £525 per year, which comes in cheaper than the classic Ford Focus (£643) and popular Toyota Yaris (£726) - these are also low insurance cars compared to many others.
4. Mini Cooper
This one surprised us a little too, as the Cooper is often seen as a luxurious, expensive ‘hot’ hatchback.
However, MoneySuperMarket’s study revealed that the MINI Cooper came in second after the Qashqai, with an average yearly premium of just £576.
TopGear praises the Cooper, stating that it has a “strong engine, impressive refinement, high-class cabin” and “seemingly endless personalisation”.
It’s definitely worth comparing car insurance quotes for this if you’re after a stylish but low-cost motor!
5. Honda Civic
And finally, the last model in our list of the most affordable cars to insure is the Honda Civic, another refined and improved classic.
The Civic remains a practical yet sporty hatchback for young drivers, learner drivers or just about anyone looking for a spacious cheap-to-run vehicle.
It comes in many different types of trims, which is great for drivers that like a bit of turbo, but just remember that the higher the performance, the higher the premiums will be. Despite this, insurance premiums should still work out a lot cheaper than other cars that have the turbo feature.
This is just a small selection of cheaper cars to insure, and is not meant as an exhaustive list. If you want to see more cars that come with low insurance premiums, check out our blog that lists 15 of the best and cheapest cars to insure right now.
Remember, the cost of car insurance can change significantly from driver to driver as the price is affected by many factors about the individual, not just the type of car alone. The cars mentioned in this article may also have some negative factors - it all depends on your preferences, so be sure to do your own research before deciding to purchase a vehicle.
To find out more about saving money on your car insurance get a quote with Bobatoo here or check out our guides below for further advice and information:
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