The Chevrolet Blazer EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV top the list of the most affordable electric vehicles to insure for 2025 and 2026 model years, according to Mercury Insurance’s annual ranking. Electric cars generally cost more to insure than their gas-powered counterparts, but certain models buck that trend with premiums that are much closer to what you’d pay for a traditional vehicle.
The 10 Cheapest EVs to Insure
Mercury Insurance ranked the most affordable new electric vehicles to insure based on 2025 and 2026 model-year vehicles. From cheapest to least cheap:
- Chevrolet Blazer EV
- Chevrolet Equinox EV
- Nissan Leaf
- Kia Niro EV
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- Hyundai Kona EV
- MINI Cooper SE
- Hyundai IONIQ EV (all models)
- Fiat 500e
- Subaru Solterra / Toyota BZ4X
A few patterns stand out. The top of the list is dominated by mainstream brands like Chevrolet, Nissan, Kia, and Hyundai, all of which have broad dealer and repair networks. Premium EVs from Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid are nowhere on this list, largely because their higher price tags and specialized repair requirements push premiums up.
Why Some EVs Cost Less to Insure
The single biggest factor in your insurance premium is how much it would cost to repair or replace the car after an accident. That’s where the models on this list have an advantage: they tend to have lower sticker prices, share parts with gas-powered siblings, and can be serviced at a wider range of body shops.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV, for example, starts under $35,000 and shares its platform and many body panels with the gas Equinox. That means more shops can work on it and parts are easier to source. The Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV follow a similar pattern, built on platforms shared with hybrid and gas versions that mechanics already know well.
Safety ratings also play a role. Vehicles with strong crash-test scores and advanced driver-assistance features tend to get lower premiums because they’re less likely to be in severe accidents. Most of the models on this list score well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and NHTSA evaluations.
Why EVs Generally Cost More to Insure
Across the board, electric vehicles carry higher insurance premiums than comparable gas cars. Two factors drive most of that gap.
First, repair costs are higher. EV battery packs can cost thousands of dollars to replace, and even minor underbody damage sometimes requires a full battery inspection. Specialized technicians and equipment are needed for high-voltage systems, and not every body shop is equipped to handle that work. When fewer shops can do the repair, labor rates go up.
Second, parts availability has historically been tighter for EVs. When a repair shop has to wait weeks for a component, your insurer is also paying for a rental car in the meantime. That adds to the overall claim cost, which feeds back into everyone’s premiums.
The gap is narrowing, though. As EVs have become more common, more repair shops have invested in the training and tooling to service them. Janet Ruiz of the Insurance Information Institute has noted that insurance costs for electric cars are moving closer to those for gas-powered vehicles as the repair infrastructure catches up.
How Manufacturer Insurance Programs Compare
If you’re buying a Tesla or Rivian, the manufacturer’s own insurance program may offer lower rates than a traditional insurer. Tesla’s program bases rates on telematics data collected from the car itself, meaning your premium reflects your actual driving behavior rather than just your age, credit, and ZIP code. Safe drivers can see meaningful savings.
Rivian also offers its own insurance program, using traditional rating factors plus a telematics discount. Both programs include coverage you won’t always find from standard insurers, such as protection for home charging equipment, onboard technology, and accessories.
There’s a practical benefit beyond price, too. Tesla and Rivian vehicles can only be repaired at a limited number of certified facilities. If you carry insurance from the manufacturer, claims tend to flow more smoothly through those repair networks. With Rivian’s program specifically, drivers using a non-Rivian insurer may need to pay out of pocket at Rivian repair shops and wait for reimbursement. Tesla’s repair shops work with all insurers directly, so that friction is less of an issue regardless of who your carrier is.
These manufacturer programs aren’t available everywhere, and they’re only relevant if you’re buying one of those brands. For the most affordable EV insurance overall, the mainstream models on the list above will typically beat a Tesla or Rivian even with manufacturer discounts applied.
How to Lower Your EV Insurance Costs
Your choice of vehicle is the biggest lever, but it’s not the only one. Several strategies can shave hundreds off your annual premium regardless of which EV you drive.
Shop multiple carriers. EV insurance pricing varies significantly from one insurer to the next because companies weigh repair data differently. Getting quotes from at least three or four insurers, including any manufacturer program available for your vehicle, gives you a realistic picture of the market.
Raise your deductible if you have enough savings to absorb a larger out-of-pocket cost. Moving from a $500 deductible to $1,000 typically cuts your premium by 10% to 15%.
Ask about bundling discounts. Most major insurers offer a discount when you carry both auto and home or renters insurance with them. Some also offer multi-car discounts, which matters if your household has more than one vehicle.
Look into usage-based or telematics programs. If you don’t drive many miles or you’re a consistently safe driver, programs that track your behavior through an app or in-car device can lower your rate. This is essentially what Tesla’s insurance program does by default, but many traditional insurers offer similar options for any vehicle.
Finally, check whether your EV qualifies for any insurer-specific green vehicle discounts. Some carriers offer a small percentage off for electric or hybrid vehicles, though this varies widely and the discount is usually modest compared to the other strategies above.