Top 10 Cheapest Vehicles to Insure

Every year, the list of cheapest cars to insure shifts somewhat. Old cars are permanently retired, new cars are introduced to the market, and insurance companies alter their mysterious algorithms. However, you generally see the same types of cars with low insurance rates: small- to mid-size sedans or mini-vans with low horsepower, reasonable price tags, and extensive safety features.

According to Insure.com, the 10 cheapest cars to insure in 2010 were:

1. Mazda Tribute I (2WD)
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3. Honda Odyssey LX
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5. Mazda Tribute I (4WD)
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7. Chrysler Town & Country LX
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9. Mazda Tribute S Grand Touring
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11. Dodge Grand Caravan SE
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13. Toyota Sienna CE
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15. Hyundai Tucson GLS
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17. Kia Sportage LX
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19. Honda Odyssey EX

What do these vehicles have in common?

None has more than six cylinders, they are all relatively inexpensive to purchase, and each can boast high safety ratings. In the world of car insurance, these cars pose a lesser risk to the insurance company and are therefore the cheapest cars to insure.

You'll note that most of these vehicles are also family-friendly. You've got vans, sedans, wagons and sport utility vehicles, but they are all suitable for your average mother/father team. Insurance companies assume that parents are safer behind the wheel (precious cargo, of course), and therefore less likely to make a claim.

Buying the Cheapest Cars to Insure

I've never relied on the list of cheapest cars to insure when purchasing a vehicle, but many people swear by this method. Obviously, if insurance companies with all their actuarial data believe that a vehicle is safer than others on the market, we can rely on their opinions.

Nevertheless, I take a more holistic approach to buying cars. I'll look at the available insurance data, but I also want to know how the car performed in safety crash tests and how much gas mileage the car offers. These factors can offset the expense of insurance premiums.

Evaluating the Cheapest Cars to Insure

Keep in mind that Insure.com used data compiled by a third party to create this list, and that the average premiums are based on one specific profile of driver. Therefore, your mileage may vary (pun intended) when you actually obtain a quote.

Use a list of cheapest cars to insure as a jumping-off point as you search for a vehicle to buy. Obtain quotes for each of the contenders and research their performance in other areas, such as gas consumption and engineering integrity. Try not to rely on a single set of figures to make your decision.