{"id":8746,"date":"2023-05-26T10:20:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T10:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=8746"},"modified":"2025-04-25T16:38:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T16:38:11","slug":"car-insurance-suv-vs-sedan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/car-insurance-suv-vs-sedan\/","title":{"rendered":"SUV vs Sedan: Which Insurance Is Cheaper?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you are in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle, you may be on the fence about whether to choose from the SUVs (sport utility vehicles) or sedans. There are many things to consider when deciding on a new ride, including which type of car has the lowest average costs for ownership and which has the lowest car insurance rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An SUV may cost more upfront than a sedan, but you\u2019ll need to take into account a wide variety of factors, such as repair costs, gasoline or diesel costs, and other total ownership measurements. This includes car insurance. Do insurance companies charge less for the cheapest SUVs or are auto insurance premiums less for the cheapest sedan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As always, there is more information to take into account. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), both small SUVs, such as the Honda CR-V, and midsized luxury SUVs, such as the Acura MBX, are among the safest in 2023. Insurance companies take this information into account when setting car insurance<\/a> policy costs. It\u2019s always a good idea to check out every significant factor before deciding that one or the other is cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SUVs are considered safer than sedans, in most cases. Later models come with many safety features, which can have a major impact on insurance rates<\/a>. On the other hand, a large SUV may use more gas than a small car. There are pros and cons to choosing an SUV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since SUVs are larger vehicles, they are perceived as having an increased safety factor, in addition to more room for passengers. For many people, these are the main reasons to choose this type of vehicle as a family car<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SUVs tend to get higher safety reasons for several reasons, including better handling in challenging weather conditions. They are bigger and heavier than most cars, so people view them as a better bet in the case of an accident. This is actually true since the latest data from the IIHS points to increased safety<\/a> during an impact for people in SUVs over people in other vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By their very nature, SUVs provide a better vantage point for drivers. Because they sit up higher than sedans and have more ground clearance, a driver and their passengers can spot a possibly sticky situation in time to avert a crash, as well as make safer lane changes and avoid pedestrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the very factors that make SUVs attractive can also be their downfall. Because they are bigger than the cars around them, they can be hard to maneuver in congested traffic situations. They can be harder to park, although in recent years parking lots and garages have begun to make larger spaces for SUVs and pickup trucks. It would be a good idea to consider your normal driving and parking situation as part of your decision-making process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are SUVs more expensive than sedans? In most cases, the answer is yes when comparing apples to apples. For example, a basic Chevrolet SUV may be cheaper than a top-of-the-line Jaguar, but if you are looking at middle of the road SUVs and sedans, then the SUV is going to have a higher sticker price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, small SUVs and compact SUVs are considered to be a good deal when compared to their small sedan opposites as far as price and safety goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These vehicles have a higher center of gravity and are top heavy, which makes them easier to roll. Rollovers are responsible for a high number of vehicle fatalities, which is why seatbelts play such a crucial role no matter what type of vehicle you drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The latest SUVs are typically too complicated for the average person to consider maintaining or repairing at home, leading to high repair costs. The same could be said for many of today\u2019s sedans. However, for the larger vehicle there are some additional factors to consider, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether owning a sedan is a positive for you or a negative is depending on your circumstances. A sedan will cost less, be more maneuverable in traffic, give you better fuel economy, but give you less room for cargo and multi-passenger situations. However, it will be more challenging to drive if you find yourself on an unpaved road (in this instance, an SUV will win).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sedans throughout time have run the gamut from painfully cheap vehicles with little thought to comfort levels all the way up to extremely high dollar and luxurious models. But regardless of whether your budget allows for the lower end sedans or not, you\u2019ll still save money over an SUV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that insurance costs vary widely between basic sedans and luxury sedans, as well as between sports cars and that cute little coupe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, in most cases, a sedan will cost less than an SUV. The cheapest sedan on the market, such as a Nissan Versa at around $15,800 is still $4,000 less than the cheapest SUV on the market this year, the Hyundai Venue at $19,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who choose a sedan over an SUV will also enjoy lower monthly spending on fuel, they\u2019ll be able to bask in the knowledge they are leaving a smaller footprint on the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For drivers who must face rush hour traffic and hard-to-find parking, the sedan is by far the more nimble and easier to drive and park than its larger cousin. Most people find the sedan is also more agile, due to being lighter. Depending on your choice of sedan, power-for-power the sedan will probably be faster than the SUV due to being lighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people think a larger vehicle is safer than a smaller one \u2013 and in some respects, that\u2019s true. Due to its heavier build, an SUV can withstand some crashes better. You won\u2019t be able to fit as much stuff or people in your sedan (is that necessarily a bad thing?), and if you need to drive on an unpaved, potholed road, your sedan may not be the best choice. And, if absolutely necessary, you could probably sleep fairly comfortably in your SUV, whereas sleeping in a sedan is guaranteed to make you feel places you never even knew you had on and in your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the IIHS, people in an SUV may fare better during a wreck due to the heavier, larger size. But with all the safety features that either come standard or as add-ons, plus your driving habits, sedans can be as safe. Research your potential choices to make sure they don\u2019t have poor safety ratings, which can impact your average rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The obvious disadvantage is less space. Less space for all the things you need on a road trip or a camping trip. Less space for the things you accumulate when you are carting children around. Less space for other people. However, this isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing if you are using your vehicle to get to and from work only, you are single or a couple with no children and you don\u2019t want to use your car as a storage bin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, it\u2019s all relative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, most of today\u2019s vehicles are too complex for the hobby mechanic. There are some basic maintenance tasks<\/a> you can \u2013 and should \u2013 do yourself, if you are able. The better choice is to let a professional handle most repairs and some maintenance. Repair costs will be more expensive if there is a need for foreign parts or parts are more expensive, so shop accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n When you are talking about comparing auto insurance rates<\/a>, it\u2019s important to make sure you are comparing the same items across the board. In the case of SUV v sedan, ensure that you are including the same coverages, such as minimum liability only, full coverage or some combination of the two, plus other add-ons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liability insurance<\/a> is the type of policy that almost every state requires at a minimum. It\u2019s composed of bodily injury\/death liability and property damage liability, in most cases. In at-fault states, it is considered third-party coverage, where the insurer of the at-fault driver helps to pay for the costs of the other parties. In a no-fault state, liability helps pay for your costs, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Collision is designed to help you pay for repairs (or replacement) of your vehicle in a collision, regardless of who is at fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comprehensive<\/a> covers events that mostly happen when you are not necessarily behind the wheel. For example, hail damage, theft and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many no-fault states, and some at-fault, require drivers to carry personal injury protection as an added layer of financial help for costs associated with a wreck. This can include medical expenses, as well as child care and help around the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full coverage<\/a> is generally understood to be a combination of liability, comprehensive and collision. No state requires full coverage, although if your vehicle is financed, you may be required by your lender to carry it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The national average for car insurance is $1,771 annually for full coverage and $565 for the state-required minimum liability. However, every state has different requirements and factors that play a large part in costs. Some of these include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When deciding what insurance is right for you, the first thing to do is find out what your state requires<\/a>. From there, you can make decisions based on your personal peace of mind when behind the wheel and your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that auto insurance premiums are also based on a number of factors specific to you, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The way you structure your policy will also have a bearing on how much you pay. For example, a higher deductible will be cheaper than a low deductible. If you increase your coverage limits you can expect to pay a higher price. There are numerous discounts that most insurers offer to help you offset your cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many more discounts available. Just ask your independent agent for a list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether SUVs, sedans or pickup trucks, every driver needs good insurance that protects them on the road at a price they can afford. At Freeway Insurance, we offer affordable options for everybody, even those with a less than perfect driving record. Give us a call at (800) 777-5620<\/a>, come get a fast and free online quote<\/a> or stop by one of our convenient locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you are in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle, you may be on the fence about whether to choose from the SUVs (sport utility vehicles) or sedans. There are many things to consider when deciding on a new ride, including which type of car has the lowest average costs for ownership and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002630,"featured_media":8747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,5,53],"tags":[],"importance":[],"type-content":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8746"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002630"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8746"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11525,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8746\/revisions\/11525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8746"},{"taxonomy":"importance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/importance?post=8746"},{"taxonomy":"type-content","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-content?post=8746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Pros and Cons of Insuring an SUV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros of Insuring an SUV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higher Safety Ratings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Better Visibility for Drivers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Insuring an SUV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higher Sticker Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Risk of Rollovers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Higher Cost of Ownership<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Pros and Cons of Insuring a Sedan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros of Insuring a Sedan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lower Sticker Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Lower Fuel Costs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Easier to Maneuver and Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Insuring a Sedan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lower Safety Ratings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Less Cargo and Passenger Space<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Repair Costs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Comparing Car Insurance Options for SUVs and Sedans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Liability Coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Collision Coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comprehensive Coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Full Coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Your Personal Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Your Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Finding the Best Car Insurance for Your Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n