Car Insurance: Most and Least Expensive Models

Raise your deductible-If you now have a $250 annual deductible, you could cut your premium by upto 40% by boosting it to $1,000.

The 5 Least Expensive 2010 Vehicles to Insure

The Mazda Tribute small SUV is now the least expensive new car to insure, at an average $1,070 ayear. Crossover SUVs Ford Escape and Honda CR-V are also in the top 20 least expensive--though

minivans continue to populate that list.

5. Jeep Wrangler X ($1,124)

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Shop around. All those TV commercials are right about one thing: Switching companies sometimesmeans big savings. But the same company won't always the cheapest for every driver in everylocation.

You no longer have to choose a minivan to get the cheapest insurance costs. Traditionally, thosefamily haulers driven by careful parents have carried the lowest insurance premiums. But,surprisingly, small sport utility vehicles--contrary to the SUV image--now are among the cheapest toinsure, according Insure.com's list of most and least expensive cars to insure.

4. Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD ($2,837)

While insurance premiums won't be a deal breaker for a car you really want to buy, it might decide atie. An average insurance cost tool at Insure.com will give you premiums for specific models or forcategories (cars, SUVs, vans). For instance, if you live in Illinois you can see that the averagepremium for an Audi A4 3.2-liter would be $1,851 a year vs. $1621 for a BMW 328xi.

1. Mazda Tribute I 2WD ($1,070 annual premium)

3. Mazda Tribute I 4 WD ($1,103)

2. Mercedes S65 AMG ($2,863)

The 5 Most Expensive 2010 Vehicles to Insure

Ask the insurer about discounts. Some companies lower premiums if you don't drive to work or youdrive fewer than 12,000 miles a year. Others have discount arrangements with groups -everythingfrom alumni associations to medical and bar associations to active and retired military personnel. Ifyou qualify, you get the discount.

But there are some surprising differences among small cars, which are typically favored by youngdrivers with poorer safety records than their elders. The Honda Civic Si-the performance modelCivic that's a favorite of young speedsters-costs an average of $1,669 a year to insure. But theHonda Fit (an excellent, if not speedy, small car with high gas mileage) averages $1,254, or $415 ayear less in premiums.

Your exact premiums will probably differ from Insure.com's-a national average for a male with agood driving record. "Many factors determine your premium," notes Kat Zeman, managing editor ofInsure.com. "Your driving record, credit history, the type of insurance you have and where you live."To see how much geography matters, read Save on Car Insurance: The Best and Worst States.

2. Honda Odyssey LX ($1,095)

Photos courtesy of Porsche USA and Mazda USA

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Not surprisingly, Porsche bags four of the top 10 costliest spots (911 Turbo pictured below ) andMercedes-Benz has three.

1. Porsche 911 Carrera GT 2 ($2,944 annual premium)

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When it comes to particular models, premiums are all about a vehicle'sloss history, says Zeman. The Insurance Services Office compiles a loss-history report on each model

showing the record of claims paid out. More expensive cars with costly parts and repairs-such asluxury brands Porsche and Mercedes-have a history of higher insurance payouts. "You could have aminor bumper-to-bumper collision with a Porsche, and the repairs will still cost a lot, " adds Zeman.

3. Dodge Viper SRT-10 ($2,852)

5. Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible ($2,816)

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Meanwhile, whichever vehicle you choose, take these steps to lower your car insurance bill:

But if you've narrowed your choice to two or three vehicles, call your insurance agent and ask forquotes. The agent already has your location, credit history and driving record in the file, notesInsure.com's Kat Zeman.

4. Chrysler Town & Country LX ($1,120)