Insuring a MINI

Despite their tiny size, MINI vehicles are among the most eye-catching cars on the road today. You can't help but stare when you see one of these smart-looking cars zip by. Their distinctive styling and fuel-efficient qualities have made them increasingly popular. While they used to be primarily purchased by people in big cities, they are now found in suburbs and even in rural areas. As tiny as they are, they have surprisingly roomy interiors, and they are a lot of fun to drive. The average MINI won't set you back by a huge amount of money, and these cars are relatively cheap to insure too. Indeed, the average yearly cost to insure a MINI car is $1,400.93, which ranks it seventh on a list of 36 vehicles. Learn more about why MINI vehicles are so affordable to insure by checking out the information below.

The Reappearance of MINI

After disappearing from the United States for a while, MINI cars are back with a vengeance. The brand's roots lie in England in the 1950s, when the British Motor Company, or BMC, set out to design a fuel-efficient car. They also wanted to design a vehicle that would be practical for use in crowded urban areas. In short, the car was designed to be popular in Europe. The MINI brand name was used for the first time in 1961. It was marketed for a spell in the U.S., but it was discontinued there in 1968 due to emissions issues. MINI was acquired by BMW in 1994 and experienced a brief hiatus starting in 2000. It returned in 2002 and has been popular ever since.

Affordable Price Tags Prompt Low Insurance Costs

One of the biggest influences on insurance cost is the price of a vehicle. When a vehicle is expensive to buy, it is also expensive to repair. Furthermore, it is expensive to replace. To hedge their bets, then, insurance companies raise premiums on pricier cars. MINI vehicles are quite affordable, though, which is largely why they're so cheap to insure. The MINI Cooper Clubman has a starting MSRP of $21,200 while the MINI Roadster has a starting MSRP of $24,350, which isn't bad for a convertible.

Rock-Bottom Theft Rates Keep Costs Low Too

Cars that are routinely stolen are riskier for insurance companies to cover. In exchange for covering cars that are popular with thieves, insurance companies typically hike up their premiums. The National Insurance Crime Bureau maintains reports about the most stolen vehicles in the United States. On the nationwide top-ten list, there's not a single MINI vehicle. The same thing goes for the individual top-ten stolen car lists for each of the 50 states.

Solid Safety Ratings Enhance Low Insurance Costs

Insurance companies also take safety into consideration when calculating premiums. MINIs are safe cars, so they are especially affordable to insure. The MINI Cooper, for example, has received mostly "Good" and "Acceptable" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The same organization gave the MINI Cooper Countryman across-the-board "Good" ratings. These zippy little vehicles clearly perform well in crash tests, so you can drive around in one with plenty of peace of mind. You'll enjoy low insurance rates too.

The typical cost to insure various MINI vehicles includes:

• Cooper S 4-Cylinder Convertible - $1,412.00
• Clubman 4-Cylinder Hatchback - $1,350.00
• Roadster 4-Cylinder Convertible - $1,457.00