Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Every year, organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway safety, and companies like Insure.com compile and analyze data from consumers and individual insurers around the country, in order to provide the public with information like which cars are cheapest to own, or safest to drive.

They also provide annual lists of the vehicles with the cheapest car insurance, which is important for those whether we're looking for a new car, or not. After all, knowing how your vehicle compares to others in its class can assure you that you made the right choice, and help you plan your budget, while understanding the cost of insurance may affect a possible purchase.

For 2009, the top five in the "least expensive to insure" list are all relatively inexpensive SUVs and minivans, and similar models round out the top ten (with the exception of a single SmartCar). If this surprises you, consider that an important factor in the cost of insurance is the cost of likely repairs. Hybrids, with their new and extremely specific technology, cost more to repair than even the largest cars with traditional gasoline engines, and small cars, with their lack of crumple zones, are more likely to be declared total losses in the event of a crash. SUVs and Minivans, on the other hand, are built to survive rugged conditions and/or protect families.