If you are an insurance agent selling auto insurance then chances are you’ve been asked before, “which cars have the cheapest insurance for teen drivers?”
Or perhaps you’re not an agent and simply a parent asking this question for their own teen driver who you are car shopping for.
Regardless of whether you are selling insurance or buying it, you probably already know that turning 16 is even sweeter for teens when they’re behind the wheel of their own car.
However, turning 16 means the teen’s parents are concerned with their kid’s safety on the road – and most likely ways keep auto insurance costs down.
The Highway Loss Data Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) join forces annually to identify the safest cars in the nation. These institutes establish crash tests to determine how well a vehicle protects drivers and passengers from damage in accidents. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also issues a 1-5 star safety rating for vehicles.
Among the 27 models that have the best safety ratings, we selected the 11 models that cost less than $25,000 to purchase new and are the least expensive to insure for teen drivers.
Depending on the options and trim model selected, some of these vehicle’s prices may slightly exceed $25,000. Although this list doesn’t including any trailer pulling trucks there are some small SUVs.
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11 Cars With Cheapest Insurance for Teenagers
One way to save on car insurance is to buy vehicles that rank high in safety tests. These cars get into fewer accidents than the expensive sports cars that appeal to younger drivers. The Highway Loss Data Institute publishes data showing the percentage of insurance claims by make, model, and body style. For example, there’s a chart for minivans and sedans that shows they get into fewer accidents and thus result in lower insurance costs to cover.
Aside from a vehicle’s make and model, other factors also influence how much you pay for car insurance, including age. For teens, the average amount of car insurance is slightly more than for adults.
Credit score is also a factor in the cost of car insurance. In most states, insurers will use your credit score as a factor when calculating rates.
Driving records also factor into your insurance costs but won’t be relevant for a brand new driver with no driving history. Many insurers consider any accidents or violations in the past six weeks as a possible risk factor in determining your rate.
Below is a list of the 11 cheapest cars to insure for teen drivers.
Nissan Sentra MSRP: $19,460
The Nissan Sentra has an Overall NHTSA safety rating of 5 stars which is perfect. In fact, the Sentra won the 2018 top safety pick by the IIHS. Compact, fuel-efficient and reliable, the Sentra has been Nissan’s premier compact car for years. It offers a great ride, low-cost ownership, and the outstanding fuel economy you expect from Nissan.
Much-needed improvements have been made to the newest, redesigned 2020 Nissan Sentra. Car & Driver states that it’s a big upgrade over the previous Sentra. Inside and out, the new model is gorgeous. Nissan’s platform also has much-improved dynamics, so it handles better than ever before. Plus, the new model features more safety features and driver assists like automatic emergency braking and lane retention systems.
Subaru Forester MSRP: $24,195
The Forester earned a perfect rating and an overall Best Choice award from the IIHS in frontal-offset, side-impact, rollover, and rear-impact crash tests. Forester’s safety features are all standard. These include an anti-lock braking system, brake assist, stability control, and all-wheel disc brakes. Beyond those, you can enjoy the peace of mind of a multi-airbag platform with your Forester. This includes front and side airbags, and a full-length curtain airbag system for ultimate protection. Its safety features include traction control, a driver knee airbag, electronic stability control, and a rollover sensor.
Honda Civic 4-door MSRP: $21,250
Recently, Honda Civic designers have focused on safety. They added a reverse camera to all vehicles. In addition, the Honda Civic includes features like anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, front and rear head curtain airbags, side airbags, and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
New-wave teens yearn for cutting-edge fashion and technology. The all-new Honda Civic is an incredible redesign that pays attention to safety and technological advancements. It includes a handy hands-free Bluetooth phone connection and digital dashboard control, making it a popular choice for teens who desire a modern feel. Only Hybrid models have front crash prevention.
Mazda 3 MSRP: $20,650
The Mazda 3 is a great option for new drivers. This affordable sedan has received high safety ratings in all IIHS safety categories since 2011. Features such as anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, and side airbags make it an excellent choice for teen drivers.
The new Mazda Radar Cruise Control lets you adjust the distance between you and the car in front of you. This feature monitors both your speed and distance, so it knows when to bring you back to a safe, pre-set cruising speed between you and the car in front of you.
Honda Accord 2-door and 4-door MSRP: $24,970
The Accord is a perfectly reliable car, especially in a collision situation thanks to its additional safety features. It also stands out from the Civic in terms of comfort and design. It includes rearview cameras, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, a rollover sensor, side airbags, front, and rear head curtain airbags, and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
In the new models, LaneWatch projects a digital image into the driver’s side, passenger’s side, and rearview mirror. It allows teens to see what drivers otherwise can’t see helping them avoid blind spots.
Mazda 6 MSRP: $24,475
This large family sedan is spacious for everyone in the family. Mazda touts the 2018 Mazda6 as a “sports sedan,” with safety and reliability ratings that include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, and multiple airbags on the front and side.
New Mazda 6 sedan features highlight the brand’s commitment to safety. Blind-spot monitoring and the rear cross-traffic alert system are just a few safety-oriented technologies on the Mazda 6.
Ford Fusion MSRP: $20,795
Safety is always encouraged when it comes to commuters. However, we think this vehicle has it all. It comes with great gas mileage and a strong safety rating. It also has tons of safety features, such as stability control, traction control, a blind spot mirror, and an optional lane departure warning. The MyKey feature limits top speed to 80 mph and stereo volume to 45 percent, which can help teens manage their driving while on the road.
Toyota Prius MSRP: $24,200
If you are looking for an eco-conscious, affordable hybrid car for your teen, then we’ve got one that fits the bill perfectly. The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric mid-size hatchback with anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, side airbags, and a driver knee airbag. It improves fuel economy by adjusting the throttle and climate control, making it an eco-friendly powerhouse.
Mitsubishi Outlander MSRP: $22,995
In the small SUV category, the Outlander boasts a myriad of safety features, including a rollover sensor, electronic stability control, and airbags on both driver and passenger sides. With seven-passenger seating, front dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, and a six-inch touchscreen display, the Outlander is built for young drivers who want to sit higher than in a sedan but still want a sleek ride.
Nissan Rogue MSRP: $25,650
To keep kids safe and happy on the road, they need a car that’s both safe and stylish — and the Rogue has something for everyone. With tons of safety features as well as high-quality features like head curtain airbags in all three rows and intelligent keyless entry, it’s a must-have SUV for families out there.
The “Zero Gravity” front seats are designed to make long drives easier on their drivers. This particular seat position makes it easier for a teen to provide proper care for themselves by reducing fatigue, improving blood flow, and lowering the risk of car accidents. These seats are great if they need to commute to work or perhaps have a long drive to their new college dorm in a couple of years.
Subaru Outback MSRP: $26,795
The new Outback has a rollover sensor, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, dual airbags, and side airbags. The IIHS gave it a perfect score for front crash protection. It incorporates EyeSight to monitor traffic and alert you if it detects an imminent collision. This car even has lane keep assist which will help the driver to stay within their lane by tapping the brakes and alerting them if they drive over the centerline.
Conclusion
I remember turning 16 and getting my first car. It was a sedan like many on this list, but even cheaper!
If I were buying a car for my teen today then I would focus on safety and low cost of ownership.
The good news is that all of these cars with cheap insurance for teenagers are very safe.
Remember, teen drivers need more than just a safe vehicle, they need sufficient training to improve their driving safety. They also need the ability to make informed decisions and be prepared for what comes next. Through education and preparation, students can learn about the rules of the road, how to drive safely and how car insurance works.
One great way to hold a young driver accountable is to require them to earn a good student discount on their car insurance policy. For having good grades in school a teenage driver can receive a discount on their auto insurance policy.
So, now it is up to you to actually go out and find some of the vehicles on this list for sale and test drive them so that you can determine which one is the best for your teen to get cheap car insurance.
Good luck finding the perfect car for your teen and finding a cheap car insurance policy to go with it.
