How much is used car insurance?

Buying a used car can be a great way to get a good deal on a vehicle, but it’s essential to factor in the car insurance cost before you make a purchase to stay within your budget.

You’ll need car insurance to buy a car. All states, except New Hampshire and Virginia, require you to purchase car insurance — and even in New Hampshire and Virginia, you’re financially liable in an accident.

Keep reading if you’re curious about how much you’ll pay for used car insurance.

Used car insurance calculator

Use our used car insurance calculator below to find average rates for more than 3,500 used car models from 2006 to 2020. Input your car year, make and model, and state of residence to determine how much you can expect to pay for used car insurance.

Average INSURANCE RATES for your USED CAR

How much car insurance do you need?

Each state has minimum liability insurance requirements. Liability insurance will help pay for any injuries and damages you caused to others, their vehicles and property if you’re responsible for the accident. Still, it won’t cover you or your car. Remember, the minimum insurance is rarely enough coverage.

Depending on your vehicle’s value, you may want to add additional coverage to protect your car – and if you’re financing the purchase, full coverage insurance is required.

Comprehensive vs. collision

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car due to flooding, fire, vandalism and hail, and pays out the actual cash value of your car if it’s stolen. Collision auto insurance covers damage to your car from accidents when you hit, or are hit, by another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive and collision car insurance are often purchased together — they comprise full coverage. Full coverage isn’t mandatory unless you financed your auto purchase — in which case, it is. If your car is less than 10 years old or worth more than $3,000, it’s wise to get full coverage.

How much does used car insurance cost?

Car insurance rates are personalized to each driver based on location, credit score and driving history. In addition, the year, make and model of your vehicle will determine how much you pay for used car insurance.

How much does full coverage car insurance cost for a used car?

To give you an idea of what you might pay for coverage, we’ve included a variety of used car insurance rates by car make/model in the table below. These rates reflect a full coverage policy with 100/300/50 in personal liability coverage and a $500 deductible for collision and comprehensive insurance.

Even if the specific car you’re considering isn’t listed, this data should give you a ballpark range for your rate based on the vehicle year, make and model.

The make, model and year of your vehicle greatly impact the cost of auto insurance for a used car. Typically, used cars with high-end finishes are more expensive to insure because they cost a lot to repair or replace in case of a claim.

How to get car insurance when buying a used car

Most major insurance companies make it easy to purchase a policy online, the most common way to buy coverage for your used car. Here’s what to do if you don’t already have car insurance:

How do you find the cheapest insurance for used cars?

Discounts are one way to save money on car insurance for used car models: Insurers typically offer savings for students who live away from home, telematics usage, low-mileage, safe driver and military service.

Additionally, you can save money when you:

FAQs: Insurance when buying a used car

How do you get used car insurance if you already have a policy?

Insuring a new-to-you-used car is pretty simple if you already have car insurance. Contact the company you’re covered with and let them know you want to insure a different vehicle. The representative will ask about the vehicle to tell you if there’s a price difference.

Keep your existing vehicle on the policy unless you’re selling it – in that case, an agent can help you remove the car from the policy once it’s sold.

How long do you have to get insurance when buying a car?

You’ll need car insurance when you purchase a used car. If you have existing coverage, your policy may offer a grace period that will automatically cover the used car until you can officially add it to the policy.

If you don’t already have insurance, however, most car dealerships will require you to get a policy before the transaction occurs. They must verify that your policy is current and meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

Do you need gap insurance for a used car?

Gap insurance, or Guaranteed Auto Protection coverage, is designed to bridge the gap between the value of your vehicle and what you owe on the car. Gap insurance on used car models isn’t normally required because used cars don’t immediately depreciate like new cars.

Can I drive off the lot without insurance?

If you’re buying a used car from a dealer, you’ll need to show proof of insurance before you’re allowed to drive away. Private sellers may not have that requirement, but driving an uninsured vehicle is risky.

Most online insurers will provide instant coverage once you pay for the policy, so you log back in to access your quote, enter the missing details such as VIN and price paid for the car, pay your premium, show the dealer insurance proof, and you’re all set.

Is insurance for older used cars cheaper?

A car’s age has less impact on the insurance cost than the make and model. Additionally, newer cars have more safety features that could prevent or minimize accident damage. That’s why it’s essential to research and compare car insurance quotes with a used car insurance calculator before purchasing a used vehicle.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant to pull rates in 2022, which reflect a full coverage policy with 100/300/50 in personal liability coverage and a $500 deductible for collision and comprehensive insurance.

– Elizabeth Rivelli contributed to this story.

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

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John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

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Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

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*Carinsurance.com is not affiliated with any state or government agency. Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data, by comparing their current reported premium against their new policy premium, and the driver meeting certain criteria. Also, safe driver and other discounts may have been applied to achieve the advertised rate, which may not be available to the average consumer. Your actual quoted rate may vary greatly and may be subject to adjustment based on verification of your self-reported data.

Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data and the driver meeting certain criteria. Also, safe driver and other discounts may have been applied to achieve the advertised rate, which may not be available to the average consumer. Your actual quoted rate may vary greatly and may be subject to adjustment based on verification of your self-reported data.