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Here’s a look at some of the cheapest cars to insure in 2024.
When buying a car, there’s more to pay for than just the lump sum of the vehicles worth. In addition to this, you need to pay for tax, consistent maintenance, fuel, and, critically, insurance if you want to be able to drive the car legally.
All of these extra costs can make owning a car pretty expensive, so it’s a good idea to do what you can to keep these additional costs low. One option is to get a car that’s cheap to insure. In the eyes of an insurance provider, cars are at different risk levels of getting into accidents or broken into. These levels dictate how much a car insurance premium will cost.
To help you save money when buying a car, here’s a look at some of the cheapest cars to insure in 2024.
These are the top 10 cheapest cars to insure in 2024:
Many things make a car cheap to insure, and it’s worthwhile being aware of these factors so that you can pick a vehicle that won’t cost you too much.
One of the most significant factors is the engine size, with cars with less powerful engines deemed safer and thus cheaper to insure. A vehicle that can accelerate quickly and reach some high top speeds are considered by insurance providers to be more likely to get into accidents and encourage lousy driving habits. That’s why cars with smaller engines and more safety features are typically cheaper to insure.
Another factor that influences the cost of insurance is the specs and value of the car. Typically, higher specs and more expensive cars that use many unique parts will be more costly to insure, as they will cost the insurance provider more to fix if anything goes wrong. So to save money on car insurance, it’s best to choose an option that isn’t too fancy. In addition to being cheaper to fix, lower-value cars are less desirable for theft, meaning they’re less likely to be targeted for car-jacking or break-ins.
When comparing the cost of insurance, it will be very time-consuming to get a quote for each vehicle you’re interested in. A quick and reliable way to determine insurance costs is to check the car’s insurance group. Each vehicle is placed into one of 50 groups, With 1A being the best insurance group. Buying asking which group a car is in, you can quickly compare the estimated costs of insurance on a general level, helping you to pick the best car for you.
Another thing that can play a part in the insurance cost of a car is the age of it and the mileage that it’s been driven. An older car is more likely to break down and need servicing, and that risk is calculated by the insurance provider, leading to a more expensive premium than usual. Most of the time, buying new or younger cars will help you pay less for insurance, providing that its value is similar to an old car.
With the factors that make cars more expensive to insure clear, as well as the things you need to keep an eye out for when looking for the cheapest cars to insure, here’s a look at the top 10 vehicles available in the UK that are the least costly to get an insurance premium for.
Part of the 1E insurance group, the Volkswagen is one of the cheapest vehicles to insure in the UK, providing that you opt for one of the weaker, low-powered models. That said, if you value having a more powerful vehicle, you can still pick up boosted versions for cheap insurance costs.
The Polo is a fantastic vehicle when it comes to performance and practicality. Its compact size makes it great for town driving, yet it’s sturdy enough to handle motorway traffic and, crucially, can keep up with high speeds, accelerating on flat roads pretty well.
The Polo is a much-loved car for new drivers because it’s simple and easy to drive, with good, responsive steering and smooth chassis that creates a comfortable ride. The only downside is that the interior can be deemed a bit bland, lacking charisma and charm.
If you can overlook that, though, it’s a very sensible and well-rounded car that shouldn’t cost much to insure at all. It boasts a nice amount of room for passengers, an unusual positive for a vehicle of this size.
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If you’re looking for a great city car that’s cheap to insure and run, then the Citroen C1 is a great option. Loved by insurance providers because of its thin wheels and compact size, this car is excellent for short-haul trips around town.
Modern C1s have a great touch of charm and personality, thanks to the colourful interior and exterior accents that make it a high with the youth. Plus, being in the cheap 1E insurance group also helps.
It has a pretty weak engine, which helps keep the insurance costs down, but it also means it struggles to perform on faster roads outside of town. It really does struggle on motorways, as the body can also catch crosswinds, leading to a less stable and relaxed drive at higher speeds.
However, because of its compact size and lack of luggage space, you will unlikely use the Citroen C1 for long-distance trips. In the city, it excels, as it’s easy to manoeuvre and can fit into tight spaces, making it an excellent option for new drivers. It’s got a nice bit of pep at speeds under 30mph, making it a fairly fun option when commuting through congested traffic.
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If your main priority is cheap insurance costs, then the Nissan Micra is a good, worthy option. Like the previous entries, it’s also in the 1E insurance group, making it cheap to insure; however, this is only for the 71PS model, which is no longer being manufactured, so you’ll have to get it secondhand.
The Micra isn’t considered a beautiful car, with many critics slamming its Vmotion grille and kinked crease that runs alongside the car. The interior is also scolded for being bland, but it does prioritise functionality, boasting large dials and knobs that make using the equipment easier when driving.
Despite its city-car dimensions, the car is very comfortable, boasting a good amount of cabin and storage space. It offers a smooth driving experience when driving at a steady cruising pace.
The cabin is also pretty quiet, with little exterior noise, making it a peaceful ride. The suspension is also great when dealing with bumps on the road, helping to keep you feeling at ease and comfortable when behind the wheel.
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The Smart brand of cars has been known as small, cheap-to-buy and offers cars that are ideally suited to city driving. Famous for its tiny, two-door city cars, Smart also offers a more prominent option in the form of the Forfour, which provides passenger space, albeit cramped, and a more powerful driving experience.
It still retains the small dimensions that are the unique selling point of Smart, making it easy to manoeuvre in the city and park in tight spaces. However, once you take the Forfour out of its natural environment and pop it on a motorway, it starts to struggle, with its small dimension making you feel exposed. It can also get buffeted around by winds.
The Forfour has a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive setup to help it create more passenger space. Although this setup is similar to various supercars, the Forfour lacks any bite and punch, making it a pretty steady and boring car to drive – an emerging trend for vehicles that are cheap to insure.
Being very inexpensive to insure, the car has a unique use case and can be a great option if you want something cheap for darting around town; it’s just for any other purpose; other, more conventional options outclass it.
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The Kia Rio is slightly more expensive to insure than some previous cars mentioned, as it falls within the 2E insurance group. This still makes it extremely cheap compared to other vehicles, and its other specs and performance make it a good option if you’re looking for affordable premiums without compromising much.
With all Kia cars, the Rio comes with a seven-year warranty, an industry-leading timeframe that ensures the car lasts long. It’s also a pretty roomy small car, offering rear seats that can comfortably fit adults for mid-distance drives.
The car performs best on motorways where it can maintain a stable speed and is pretty comfortable in this scenario. Its ride can be firm in town, and its light steering makes it feel unreliable on country roads. The car is more sensible, with its driving performance leaving more to be desired, and the interior is also a little plain, made with low-quality looking materials.
That said, these drawbacks are more superficial and shouldn’t affect you if you’re using the car for short commutes and drives in your local area.
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Based on the very popular Volkswagen UP and being a cheaper option than the VW, the SEAT Mii is a good all-rounder, being a city car that performs admirably in various categories – although it fails to excel in any. This does make it a versatile option and one of the better cheap cars to insure.
Despite its simple looks, the car has a solid foundation, is constructed well, and has a more boxy shape that provides a nice amount of room. The vehicle has a great-sized boot for a car of this shape, and legroom for all four seats is generous.
Although you must pick up the 60PS model to get the cheapest insurance, which falls in the 2E group, this version isn’t as slow as you might think. In fact, the car has a good bit of thrust in town, although it can be a bit of a drag on the motorway. That said, it’s not that loud, helping to make it more comfortable, and it’s also surprisingly agile.
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The Fiat 500 is a classic small car that you’ll likely see darting around in town and is a favourite for new drivers thanks to their compact dimensions and good driving performance that make them easy to control.
On the other hand, they are expensive little options, costing a lot to buy new or used, attributed to their desirability. However, you can save some cash with insurance, as they fall within one of the cheapest insurance groups.
Fiat is one of the few manufacturers to continue their petrol cars, as many others have switched to purely electric instead. This means you can get a hybrid option if you’re looking for cheap insurance.
The Fiat 500 is good to control, although it can be a bit unsettled and bumpy over potholes, and the engine can sound a bit coarse, with the sounds penetrating into the cabin, making for a loud journey. It’s also not the most refined car, especially on its basic model, where you’ll get cheap insurance.
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Most cheap cars to insure have been city cars or small hatchbacks. If you’re looking for something different, the Renault Captur may be a good option, as it’s a small SUV, offering a good amount of luggage and passenger space while still being compact enough to make it ideal for town driving.
Despite its larger size, the Captur is surprisingly cheaper to insure than some cars that are much smaller than it, making it a no-brainer if you’re looking for comfort and practicality. If you want some great safety features, you can also opt for the 2019 second-generation Captur, which is roomier and fancier than the original iteration.
Despite its low price, the Captur feels like a luxury car, thanks to features such as cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, and keyless entry, all included in the entry-level trim.
The major drawback of the Captur is that it’s super sluggish and struggles to get going, making it boring to be behind the wheel. Plus, despite its size, the rear seats can still be a little cramped, which is irritating, as the front boasts plenty of room.
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The Peugeot 108 is very similar to the Citroen C1, another cheap car to insure, especially when you look under the car’s hood while being more affordable to insure. In addition, this car is deemed quieter to drive and much better at handling potholes and other bumps in the road, making it a great option.
Compared to similar cars, it lacks a bit of refinement, instead being simple and practical in both performance and interior looks. It has a 1.0-litre engine that is good for such an affordable car and insurance group, making it an economical option that should handle basic usage and needs.
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The Skoda Fabia is not an exciting car, but it’s a reliable one that’s safe and unlikely to disappoint, which is why it falls into one of the cheapest insurance groups of 2E.
Although a bit boring in some aspects, the Fabia is a great-looking car, having classy looks that show off its class and well-made properties. The interior has a good quality feel and is also pretty spacious for a car of this body type.
You’ll need to go for the low-powered 75PS model to get the cheap insurance, and although it can feel a bit weak when accelerating, it has no issues once it’s reached its ideal cruising speed. The car is better suited for long-distance motorway journeys than stop-start city driving.
Although cheap to buy and insure, ensure you check the car’s features. Some basic models lack must-haves like air-conditioning, so don’t wind up with a vehicle that’s not suitable just because it’s cheap to insure.
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Various factors determine how much a car will cost to insure. Some of the main things that insurance providers consider are the size and power of the engine, the specs and value of the car, its age, as well as its safety features.
To get the cheapest car insurance possible, opt for a car with mid-range to low specs with a weak engine, either new or as close to new as you can afford.
Although in most cases, a used car will be more expensive to insure thanks to its increased likeliness of breaking down and needing repairs, there are some instances where the insurance can be cheaper.
If the used car has seen a significant drop in value compared to the same new model, then it may be cheaper to insure because it's not deemed as valuable.
The car you buy isn't the only thing that can influence how much your insurance premium costs. Many separate factors can determine if you're paying a lot for your insurance.
The first thing you need to consider is your own driving experience. If you're a new driver under 24, your insurance costs will likely be high, regardless of the car you buy. In addition, if you've been in any road incidents in the past or have any points off your license, you'll also find that your insurance can cost more.
As well as this, the place where you live can also influence your insurance costs. For example, if you live in an area with a higher risk of break-ins and theft, your insurance costs will be more expensive, as there's a higher chance that the insurance provider will have to pay out.
One factor that can positively influence your insurance costs is the number of named drivers you have on the car. In some cases, if you have another named driver on your car with a good and long driving history, such as a parent, then this lowers your overall insurance costs.
Consider these factors, as well as the car that you're buying, when trying to find a cheap insurance policy.
Young drivers usually have higher insurance costs than older, more experienced drivers. This is because young drivers who are new to the skill are more likely to make mistakes and get into accidents or damage their cars in other ways.
As younger drivers are more susceptible to needing an insurance payout, providers cover this risk by charging more, so young drivers usually have to pay more than others.
There are ways to lessen the costs if you're in this age group, such as adding a more experienced driver as a named driver or fitting in a black box that can monitor your driving and help you lower insurance costs once you're due to renew them.
Every car belongs to an insurance group, which is a level that indicates how expensive your insurance costs are going to be. There are 50 insurance groups that a car can be placed in, with the cheapest being those closest to group 1. Each insurance provider may have their own groups, but knowing the insurance group can help you better figure out how much a car will be to insure.
By law, every car needs to have third-party insurance for it to be road legal. This is the most basic form of insurance and covers the insurance costs for the damages to another person's car.
Additional tiers of insurance also include third-party, fire, and theft, which provide cover for those additional situations, as well as comprehensive, which pays out in most cases.
You may think that third-party insurance is the cheapest option; however, many providers offer deals and discounts on their more premium services that make them cheaper to get.
It's tough to determine the medium price of car insurance, as the service is so personalised to your details and the car you're insuring. Even when getting the same level of coverage from the same provider, the prices can be drastically different, making it almost impossible to figure out what constitutes a good price for car insurance.
According to comparison websites, the average price of car insurance costs £412 a year for comprehensive coverage. Of course, this price may be skewed by abnormally high and low prices, and it's fair to say that insurance for a typical hatchback that costs under £200 for a year can be considered a good and cheap deal.
If you want to go beyond the insurance group estimations and figure out how much a car will cost to insure, you need a few details to get an accurate quote.
First, you'll need to know a few details about the car, such as the car's registration, make and model, age, and details of any modifications done to it. You'll also need to provide your own details, as this influences the price. Things like where you work, age, address, and license number must be disclosed.
You'll also have to showcase what you'll use the car for and estimate the number of miles you drive. Finally, if you have one, you'll need to provide details of your no-claims discount history, as this can help lower the costs.
In addition to the basic car insurance that you're required to have by law, as well as the comprehensive cover you can get that protects your car from most issues, you can also get other types of insurance and protection that can help you save money if things are to go wrong with your car.
A popular type of additional insurance is GAP insurance, where the provider pays the difference between the amount you paid for the car and its current value when it's written off. This helps you recoup the money you paid, allowing you to replace it with an equally good car.
Another thing you can get is a breakdown cover. Although not technically insurance, this form of protection can help fix and transport your vehicle off the side of the road if it breaks down, and many also cover the costs of repairs, making it worthwhile.
Of course, if you're looking to get the cheapest deal with your insurance, you may want to overlook these as they can add more expense; however, they do come in useful when you need them.
You should be able to find insurance that can cover all types of cars, so if you find yourself with something out of the ordinary, you should still get it protected.
For example, people who buy and collect classic cars may need their own type of insurance for that, and you can also get insurance for imported cars and modified cars. As long as a vehicle is deemed fit for the road, you should be able to find appropriate insurance for it.