10 of the cheapest cars to insure

Car insurance doesn't have to be expensive with these top ten cheap cars to insure

If you’re looking to cut costs, leasing a car that’s a bit cheaper to insure could be worth looking at.

Car insurance is one of the hard facts of life – if you want to get anywhere quickly and easily, you need a car. To (legally) drive that car, you need to insure it. And insurance can be an expensive game, with costs quickly racking up.

But car insurance doesn’t have to cost the earth.

While bigger, premium cars naturally attract higher prices (and we’re sorry, younger or first-time drivers, but your initial insurance costs are also going to be that little bit higher), you can look to the insurance groups to work out which cars are going to fall in your budget.

All cars are sorted into an insurance group, with the categories ranging from 1-50. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the insurance group, the cheaper your car insurance.

Like most things in life, it isn’t quite that simple.

There are other factors that an insurance company will consider when it comes to quoting you for insurance, like age, driving history, and where you live. But the insurance groups are a good place to start.

If you’re looking to cut costs on your car insurance, we’ve rounded up ten of the cheapest cars to insure so you can hang on to more of your hard-earned pounds.

*We are a broker, not an insurance company, and can't offer you a quote on your insurance, but we do always recommend you shop around for the best prices

Skoda Fabia: insurance group 4-20

You can’t go wrong with a Skoda.

The Czech manufacturer has worked hard in recent years to shake off the slightly dodgy reputation it once had, and now has a line-up featuring some of the best, most reliable, and most affordable cars on the market.

And the Skoda Fabia is no different.

It’s the smallest Skoda that money can buy, but if you’re looking to save money on car insurance, it’s a cracking option for a no-frills, affordable, easy-to-drive supermini experience.

There’s no scrimping on experience either: it comes complete with some of the nicer finishing touches nicked from the bigger cars, including a heated steering wheel and windscreen, air-con vents for the back passengers, and plenty of safety tech.

If you’re mostly an urban driver with the occasional motorway jaunt, the Skoda Fabia is a fantastic choice for your next lease. And it won’t break the bank, with both cheap insurance and cheap running costs.

Browse our best-selling Skoda Fabia lease deals

Kia Picanto: insurance group 5-11

While it’s not the most inspiring choice out there, for a reliable everyday small car, the Kia Picanto is worth some consideration.

It falls into the lower end of the insurance groups, with the entry Picanto falling into insurance group 5, and even the top trim Picanto isn’t going to break the proverbial insurance bank.

It’s easy to live with too, with the drive having just enough pizzazz that nipping around town in the Picanto isn’t going to bore the socks off of you. There’s plenty of tech included as standard too, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out by opting for something a little more on the basic side.

It’s fun, it’s affordable, and it’s great value for money.

On top of that, you can make it even more affordable by opting for a Kia Picanto lease and spreading out the cost. Paired with cheap car insurance, you’ll be saving money in no time.

Browse our best-selling Kia Picanto lease deals

Seat Ibiza: insurance group 3-13

If you’re looking for something on the slightly larger, but still affordable end, the Seat Ibiza could be the answer to your dreams.

It remains an affordable choice when it comes to insurance costs, with the cheapest Ibiza’s in group 3, but it’s spacious enough for four adults – a feat not every car on this list can achieve comfortably. It’s that little bit more practical, but without losing any of the fun factor.

The boot is generous too, with 335L of space to play with. It’s a great choice for small families looking to cut costs wherever they can, with plenty of space for the weekly shop or a couple of suitcases.

And if a family car isn’t quite your speed, the FR spec brings with it sportier styling, so you can cruise through town in style.

It’s the best of all worlds.

Browse our best-selling Seat Ibiza lease deals

Ford Fiesta: insurance group 2-20

The king of hatchbacks, the Ford Fiesta is a fan favourite among small car lovers for a reason.

There’s really nothing bad you could say about it: it runs smoothly, it’s big enough for four adults, the boot is considerable, the specs are good. And it brings with it many of the high-tech features you’d expect to see on more expensive vehicles, but without the same price tag.

And it’s much cheaper to insure – especially if you opt for one of the more basic trims.

Although even the higher spec Fiestas aren’t going to cost you the earth, especially when compared to their SUV or estate counterparts. The premiums aren’t bad, even for younger and newer drivers, and the Fiesta comes packed with all the latest safety tech so you can drive securely, knowing your car is going to protect you.

We love it, you love it, everyone loves it.

If you’re after a reliable hatchback for your next car, you can’t go wrong with a Ford Fiesta lease.

Browse our best-selling Ford Fiesta lease deals

Hyundai i10: insurance group 4-10

One of the best-looking small cars Hyundai has ever produced, the Hyundai i10’s small stature also makes it cheap to insure.

The new platform it sits on gives it a little more space inside – and this extra practicality goes a long way in such a small car. It makes the drive a little comfier for backseat passengers, though they still probably wouldn’t want to do Lands’ End to John O’Groats in the rear.

The tech onboard has been given an overhaul too, adding to the i10s appeal: you now get an 8in infotainment screen with Bluetooth, DAB, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay on most versions, though the entry-level trim still suffers for want of big tech.

Nevertheless, it is affordable! And if you’re looking for a cheap car to insure, you can’t go far wrong.

Browse our best-selling Hyundai i10 lease deals

Volkswagen Up: insurance group 2-17

Looks can be deceiving – the Volkswagen Up might look simple on the outside, but the interior is spacious enough for four adults, the cabin is finished to a high standard, and it comes with all the usual suspects, including DAB radio, Bluetooth, and air-con.

It’s an excellent option for town-based drivers, but it’s more than capable of keeping up on motorways and country lanes, and the fun drive and modern styling will appeal to younger drivers.

With the lowest spec Up’s falling into insurance group 2, it’ll cost pennies to insure. Well, not quite pennies, unfortunately. But not as much of your income as some of the bigger and flashier VWs would.

The Up is flashy enough on its own though. VW, famed for their hatchbacks, have nailed the ‘create the perfect city car’ brief. It’s not just a scaled-down big car – it stands on its own two feet, and was designed to be compact and affordable without compromising on experience.

And that’s exactly what it does.

Browse our best-selling Volkswagen Up lease deals

Fiat 500: insurance group 9-21

An icon on our roads, the Fiat 500 is as divisive as it is tiny.

But if you’re looking for a car that strikes a fine balance between fun factor and affordability, this could be the car for you. This variation of the 500 first appeared on our roads back in 2007, and it’s not really changed since. Though the latest model is a little more spacious than the 500s that have come before it, and there’s even a fully electric version on offer now.

While it’s not the most affordable car to insure on the list, it does have a certain je ne sais quoi about it.

It's great fun to tootle about town in, spacious enough to contain all your shopping, and compact enough to park in tight spaces with a smug sense of ease.

And for extra fun, opt for the cabriolet version with the fabric roof, and you can spend the long hot summers speeding down deserted A-roads with the wind in your hair.

Glorious.

Browse our best-selling Fiat 500 lease deals

Toyota Aygo: insurance group 5-6

One of the smallest cars money can buy, the Toyota Aygo has been knocking around since 2005 and remains a popular choice for anyone looking for a simple supermini.

Toyota have done away with the bells and whistles to make the Aygo affordable, but its simplicity doesn’t take away from the experience. There’s enough tech to be getting by with, including air-con, smartphone integration, a reversing camera, and all the basic safety aids.

But, it is small inside.

There’s no getting around the fact that if your friends have knees, they will be slightly cramped in the back. But, for shorter journeys around town, it’s more than fine. And because the Aygo falls into insurance groups 5 and 6, it’s inexpensive to insure as well as cheap to run.

For a first car or an affordable daily run-around, it’s an excellent option if you’d rather save your cash for something fun.

Browse our best-selling Toyota Aygo lease deals

Renault Clio: insurance group 3-16

Is it revolutionary? No. Is it the most fun hatchback to drive? Also no. But is it smart, reliable, and affordable? Absolutely yes.

While it doesn’t have the fun factor of some of the other cars on the list, the Renault Clio is still a great choice for anyone on a budget. It falls into the lower car insurance groups, making it affordable to insure, and a monthly Renault lease spreads out the total cost even further.

The latest model is the best one yet, with a great interior, comfortable ride, and crisp look. Renault hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel with the Clio – the lines are clean, the boot is generous, and there’s a big ol’ Renault badge in the grille.

There’s not a lot more you could ask for.

If you’re after a new set of wheels, but you’re wanting to keep an eye on the cost, a Renault Clio could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Browse our best-selling Renault Clio lease deals

Dacia Sandero: insurance group 3-12

The most amount of car you can get for the least amount of money, the Dacia Sandero is a hidden gem.

But it’s also proof that affordable doesn’t have to mean boring. Dacia have knocked it out of the park with the latest version of the Sandero, focusing on getting the basics right and bringing truly affordable – but still great – car to market.

Best of all, it’s roomy enough for five adults, and there’s plenty of space in the boot for everyone’s luggage. It looks smart too, with a high-quality finish – though if you want the tech, skip the base model. The cheapest Sandero’s come with a phone mount instead of a screen, with the idea being you download the Dacia Media Control app and control everything through there.

Upgrade to the Comfort trim, and you’ll reap the benefits of the 8in touchscreen, as well as cruise control, Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, and climate control.

If you’re really looking to save money, the Dacia Sandero should be featured on your shortlist.

Browse our best-selling Dacia Sandero lease deals

What else should I consider?

It might sound counterintuitive, but spending a little more money and taking out additional insurance could eventually save you a lot of cash.

Taking out a policy like GAP, Minor Cosmetic Damage, or Alloy Wheel Protection offers you extra cover on top of your regular car insurance. It means that you're covered should the worst happen, without having to fork out potentially thousands of pounds. 

This is particularly true for GAP Insurance which (in the unfortunate circumstance your car is written off or stolen) covers the 'gap' between what your insurance company will pay out and the amount of money left on your finance agreement. 

This could mean that instead of being out of pocket after a collision, you'll be back on an even keel and able to look at taking out another lease deal.