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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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If you’re in the market for a new sport utility vehicle, or SUV, you should consider not just the purchase price but also how much insurance will cost.
The average cost to insure an SUV is $184 per month, with the Subaru Crosstrek and Honda CR-V being some of the cheapest to insure. That makes SUVs around 8% cheaper to insure than most cars — narrowly beating out trucks, but still coming out more expensive to insure than vans.
At the end of the day, insurance costs for SUVs vary by model, size, and purchase price. We’ll outline all the cheapest SUVs to insure — as well as where you can find the best deal — in the guide below.
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The cheapest SUV to insure is the Subaru Crosstrek, while the most expensive is the BMW X1.
Liberty Mutual is the cheapest car insurance company for SUVs, with average rates of just $137 per month.
Safeco, Clearcover, and Liberty Mutual are three of the best insurers for SUV owners, based on our research.
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Car insurance rates vary based on make and model. Generally, if the SUV has a higher sticker price, it’s likely more expensive to insure. Why? If it costs more to buy, it’s likely going to cost more to repair after an incident.
Insurance companies consider costs and evaluate risk, which influences premiums. The average cost to insure an SUV is $184 per month, according to Compare.com data, but many insurers offer SUV owners far cheaper rates.
The table below features the five cheapest car insurance companies for SUV owners, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Compare.com Rating | Average Monthly Premium | Average Yearly Savings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Mutual | 4.62/5 | $137 | $564 |
| Mercury | 3.60/5 | $140 | $528 |
| Clearcover | Not rated | $140 | $528 |
| Safeco | 4.59/5 | $151 | $396 |
| USAA | 4.91/5 | $169 | $180 |
Liberty Mutual has the most affordable average car insurance rates, at $137 per month, which is close to 26% less than the average cost to insure an SUV. Mercury and Clearcover have identical average premiums and savings, with rates slightly higher than Liberty Mutual, at $140 per month.
Out of the cheapest car insurance companies for SUV owners, USAA has the highest rate of $169, with a $15 savings. The company also has limited availability, as it offers its insurance products only to military members and veterans.
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The cost difference between insuring one SUV over another can be surprising. In fact, car insurance rates can vary quite a bit, sometimes dramatically so. Each SUV model is different, and the cost of insuring your vehicle will take into account its specific characteristics.
Car insurance companies consider a range of factors to determine your rate. These include safety features, repair costs, model year, and its list price or manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
Let’s take a look at the top 10 cheapest SUVs to insure in 2024. In the table below, you can find the make and model, the average monthly car insurance premium, and the percentage you’re saving compared to the average insurance cost for all SUVs.
Make and Model | Average Monthly Premium | Compared to Average SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | $141 | -23% |
| Honda CR-V | $156 | -15% |
| Honda Pilot | $158 | -14% |
| Ford Escape | $160 | -13% |
| Buick Encore | $161 | -13% |
| Kia Soul | $161 | -13% |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $162 | -12% |
| Honda HR-V | $163 | -11% |
| Hyundai Tucson | $166 | -10% |
| Mazda CX-5 | $167 | -9% |
The Subaru Crosstrek has the most dramatically lower cost compared to other models, with average rates about 23% lower than the overall SUV average, at $141 per month.
Other SUVs on the list are 9% to 15% lower than the average. So, while lower, a decent gap still exists between this savings range and the savings of insuring a Subaru Crosstrek. Some reasons it may be cheaper to insure are its size and advanced safety features.
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Some SUVs are more costly to insure because they’re luxury cars with the latest technology — such as the BMW X1’s lane-departure warning and active blind-spot detection. Many of these vehicles have sophisticated computers and cameras to help with safety — but these can add to the total cost of repairing them after an accident.
Another reason some SUVs are more expensive to insure is the cost of materials. Given the size of SUVs, replacement costs with certain materials will be higher. Additionally, if it’s difficult to find replacement parts (like in the case of Tesla), that may drive up the cost of car insurance.
We break down the five most expensive SUVs to insure, with average monthly premium costs and the percentage difference from the national average, in the table below.
Make and Model | Average Monthly Premium | Compared to Average SUV |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X1 | $223 | +21% |
| Infinity QX60 | $222 | +21% |
| Tesla Model Y | $213 | +16% |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $198 | +8% |
| Acura RDX | $191 | +4% |
The BMW X1 and Infinity QX60 are neck and neck when it comes to the most expensive SUV to insure. Compared to national averages, both SUVs are more than 20% more expensive. Looking at average monthly premiums, there’s only a one-dollar difference between the two SUVs, with the Infinity QX60 being ever-so-slightly more affordable.
Both vehicles are considered luxury SUVs, making them each more costly to insure.
SUVs make up a huge share of car sales — 46% of all global car sales, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). And with so many models out there, car insurance costs can have stark differences based on the make, model, and year.
Here, you can see the 25 bestselling SUVs in 2024, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), and the cheapest insurance company for each.
Make and Model | Cheapest Insurer | Cheapest Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | Liberty Mutual | $112 |
| Tesla Model Y | Mercury | $169 |
| Honda CR-V | Mercury | $103 |
| Nissan Rogue | Mercury | $141 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Elephant | $215 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | Mercury | $143 |
| Hyundai Tucson | Liberty Mutual | $131 |
| Ford Explorer | The General | $160 |
| Toyota Highlander | Elephant | $180 |
| Subaru Outback | Mercury | $118 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Liberty Mutual | $100 |
| Jeep Wrangler | Liberty Mutual | $133 |
| Mazda CX-5 | Mercury | $119 |
| Subaru Forester | Liberty Mutual | $93 |
| Ford Escape | Liberty Mutual | $115 |
| Kia Sportage | Liberty Mutual | $135 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | Liberty Mutual | $136 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | Liberty Mutual | $135 |
| Honda HR-V | Clearcover | $116 |
| Toyota 4Runner | Elephant | $167 |
| Lexus RX | Mercury | $156 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | Mercury | $139 |
| Kia Telluride | Mercury | $140 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | Liberty Mutual | $127 |
| Honda Pilot | Mercury | $122 |
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Getting insurance is a major financial decision. And with hundreds of options out there, you can choose from a variety of car insurance companies to insure your SUV, including big names like State Farm and Allstate. But no matter what you choose, you’ll want to find an insurance company that matches your budget and needs.
Below, we share the three best SUV insurers in 2024 based on average insurance costs, discount options, available programs, and customer ratings.
Average premium: $137 per month
Compare.com rating: 4.62 out of 5
NAIC complaint index: 2.19
Cheapest insurer for SUVs
Plenty of available discounts
A- rating on BBB
High number of customer complaints
Mixed customer service reviews
Potential payment issues
Liberty Mutual is at the top of the list because it offers lower rates than the competition and has the cheapest average monthly premium for SUVs. The company offers numerous discounts to drivers, including a homeowners discount, military discount, and good student discount. While Liberty Mutual has a relatively strong A- rating on BBB, the complaints tell a different story. On other review sites like Trustpilot, several customers complain about customer service and payment issues.
Average premium: $151 per month
Compare.com rating: 4.59
NAIC complaint index: 1.13
Affordable auto insurance rates
Offers accident forgiveness
Generous telematics program
Only available through an agent
Limited discount options
Low rating on Trustpilot
Safeco is among the top five cheapest car insurance companies for SUVs. When you get coverage through Safeco, you can opt for accident forgiveness or save money through the company’s telematics program, RightTrack. The downside is you have to get your policy through an agent — and don’t expect too many discounts after getting the company’s already affordable rates.
Average premium: $140 per month
Compare.com rating: Not rated
NAIC complaint index: 3.83
Fast claims
A+ rating on BBB
Few complaints on BBB
Low rating on Trustpilot
Complaints about policy cancellation without cause
Poor customer satisfaction
Clearcover is a tech-focused car insurance company that uses an app to help you get coverage or submit claims. The company offers some of the least expensive SUV insurance rates, at $140 per month, according to Compare.com data. Clearcover has an A+ rating on the BBB and has had fewer complaints than many insurers.
The drawbacks with Clearcover include complaints about policy cancellation without cause and poor customer satisfaction — evidenced by the low rating and reviews on Trustpilot.
You might already know that your driving history, ZIP code, and how much you drive all affect how much you pay for car insurance. But the type of vehicle you drive does as well.
Getting SUV insurance can be costly, but there are several ways to lower the overall costs, including:
Increase your deductible. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums. But remember that it also means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Research discounts. Evaluate the cost-saving discounts available with various insurance companies. Call your agent or customer service to make sure you’re getting all the discounts you qualify for.
Bundle your policies. You can typically qualify for serious savings if you bundle your home or renters insurance with your auto insurance coverage.
Consider a telematics program. If you practice safe driving habits and avoid driving at night, you could save some serious money by letting your insurer track your driving.
Compare multiple companies. Check out online quotes for five insurance companies so you have a starting point and can identify which ones offer the lowest average premiums.
If you’re thinking about getting an SUV, check out these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions first.
The cheapest SUV to insure is the Subaru Crosstrek, with an average monthly premium of $141, according to Compare.com data.
It depends. The size of your SUV can have a small effect on cost, but overall repair costs generally influence premiums much more.
The cheapest full-coverage car insurance company for SUVs is Farmers, at $122 per month, according to Compare.com data. Liability car insurance may be more affordable, but full coverage comes with added protections and benefits.
Generally, yes. But SUVs aren’t always more expensive to insure than other vehicles, since rates can vary heavily based on make and model. It’s more affordable to insure an SUV than a truck, but SUV insurance costs more than insurance for vans, according to our research.
Sources
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “2024 TOP SAFETY PICKs,” Accessed March 18, 2024.
International Energy Agency (IEA), “As their sales continue to rise, SUVs’ global CO2 emissions are nearing 1 billion tonnes,” Accessed March 18, 2024.
Kelley Blue Book, “The 25 Most Popular SUVs in 2024,” Accessed March 18, 2024.
NAIC Complaint Index, “Consumer Insurance Search Results,” Accessed March 18, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute (III), “Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs,” Accessed March 18, 2024.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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