For those looking to reduce their car insurance premiums, look no further than the vehicle of choice for soccer moms. According to research conducted by Insure.com, the Toyota Sienna LE minivan is the easiest on the auto insurance budget. With a four cylinder engine, it is built for safety and functionality rather than speed.

When looking at the Insure.com rankings, minivans rank in the top fifteen for 2012. Along with the Sienna, the Honda Odyssey and Dodge Grand Caravan are considered the best for auto insurance premiums. Aside from minivans, pick-up trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and crossover vehicles are easy on the car insurance premiums. The annual survey looks at over nine hundred models.

While the data collected by Insure.com does not point to why one vehicle ranks higher than another, Amy Danise, editorial director at Insure.com believes that “…owners of these cars are benefitting from the other drivers of these models…who have driven safely and therefore not made expensive claims. We always see minivans on the list. They are generally driven by families with children in the car.”

While soccer moms are paying lower car insurance premiums, those in the throes of a mid-life crisis are paying for the privilege of driving the car of their dreams. European models, like Porsche and Mercedes, have some of the highest car insurance premiums. Not only are these vehicles built for performance, they also have high repair and replacement costs. Because they are often limited editions, the parts are more expensive. Their high performance engines make them more likely to be damaged in a high speed crash, causing an increased incidence of bodily injury claims.

Insure.com surveyed six (6) of the largest auto insurance companies – Allstate, Geico, Farmers, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm – from ten (10) zip codes in all fifty states. Rates were based using a forty year old male, with a twelve mile work commute and a clean driving record. A five hundred dollar deductible was used on comprehensive and collision coverage.

Based on the above criteria, the average annual auto insurance premium on the Toyota Sienna LE is $1,111. Conversely, the most expensive is the ten cylinder Audi R8 Spyder Quattro convertible two-seater. The car insurance premium tops out at nearly $3,400 annually for a car costing over $160,000.

The 2012 top twenty for low auto insurance premiums are:
1. Toyota Sienna LE
2. Toyota Sienna
3. Jeep Patriot Sport
4. Jeep Compass Sport
5. GMC Sierra K 1500, regular cab
6. Chevrolet Silverado 1500, regular cab
7. Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
8. Ford Escape XLS
9. Toyota Sienna (six cylinder)
10. Chevrolet Silverado 1500, extended cab
11. Dodge Journey SXT
12. Honda Odyssey LX
13. Kia Sportage
14. Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
15. Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
16. Nissan Frontier S, king cab
17. Nissan Frontier SV, king cab
18. Hyundai Tucson GL
19. Ford Escape XLT
20. GMC Canyon

The ten most expensive cars to insure for 2012 are:
1. Audi R8 Spyder Quattro, convertible
2. Mercedes CL600 B1-T, coupe
3. Mercedes S600 B1-T
4. Audi R8 4.2 Quattro, coupe
5. Porsche Panamera Turbo
6. BMW 750i Hybrid
7. Porsche 911 Turbo, convertible
8. Porsche 911 Turbo S, convertible
9. Mercedes CL65 AMG, coupe
10. BMW 750 Li Hybrid

Categories: Car Insurance