Nissan Leaf Car Insurance: How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

Nissan Leaf drivers can expect to pay about $138 monthly for their auto insurance, if you look at average rates across the U.S. Know how much car insurance companies might charge to insure your Nissan Leaf with our new guide.
man driving newly insured car
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Quick Facts

  • A Nissan Leaf is less expensive to insure than the average car.

  • Liability auto insurance for a Leaf runs about $72 per month, while full coverage typically tends to be around $153 a month.

  • The cheapest car insurance company for a Leaf is Hugo, who offers liability only coverage for sometimes as little as $22 per month, on average.



Leaf Overview

The Nissan Leaf is a great car for all budgets, with new 2022 models starting at $27,400. With five different trim levels currently available, there's a style for every driver.

We analyzed thousands of insurance quotes on Compare.com, and we've determined that, on average, Nissan Leaf car insurance prices run about $138 a month. But how does that fare against its competitors?

Current Base Price$27,400
Body Style(s)Car
Trim LevelsS, SL PLUS, SV PLUS, S PLUS, SV
Average Insurance Premium$138/mo.
Cheapest Insurance CompanyHugo

How Much is Car Insurance for a Nissan Leaf?

Vehicle Liability Only Full Coverage
Nissan Leaf$72$153
All Nissan Models$91$180
All Cars$83$177
Average Insurance Premium$81$169

If you look at the table above, you'll find that insurance premiums for a Nissan Leaf are around average compared to other vehicles on the road. On average, Leaf owners can expect to pay about $72 monthly for liability insurance, and around $153 a month for full coverage, which has comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability (our guide, "State Minimum vs. Full Coverage", can give you more information on the difference).

Comparing it to other Nissan models, the Leaf is cheaper, with rates more than 10% lower than the rest of the company's vehicle lineup. Similarly, compared to other vehicles of a similar body style, Leaf coverage is more affordable than average, with both liability only and full coverage insurance averaging less expensive prices than other cars.

Compared to all vehicles, regardless of body style, make, or model, auto insurance premiums for both liability only and full coverage policies run less expensive than average.


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Who has the Cheapest Car Insurance for a Nissan Leaf?

Insurance Company Average Monthly Premium
Hugo$22
Clearcover$41
Fiesta$47
Workmens$47
Mercury$48

If you're browsing for an auto insurance policy for a Nissan Leaf, you're probably most interested in which carrier offers the most affordable premiums. Even though costs will typically be pretty different from person to person, the lowest average rates for liability only coverage are sometimes just $22 per month from Hugo. The runner up for most affordable rates is Clearcover, with insurance policies starting as little as just $41 per month.

The third, fourth, and fifth carriers on the list are Fiesta, Workmens, and Mercury. However, just because these five companies offer the lowest average rates doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the cheapest carriers for you and your unique insurance profile.

Car insurance companies take a whole range of different variables into consideration when calculating monthly prices. By checking quotes from numerous car insurance carriers at once, you can guarantee you're finding the lowest rate.


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What Factors Affect Car Insurance Rates for a Nissan Leaf?

As we mentioned above, there are quite a few things that auto insurance companies use to calculate how much they charge for a policy -- and each company weighs certain attributes more than others, so there's not a single carrier that's the most affordable for every Leaf driver.

Below are just a few of the factors insurance carriers look at and how each one affects your final rate:

Vehicle Age

Vehicle Age Average Monthly Premium
Less than 1 Year$67
2-3 Years$63
4-5 Years$66
6-7 Years$82
8-10 Years$78
11-14 YearsNot Enough Data
15 Years or OlderNot Enough Data

The Nissan Leaf has been around for a while -- that means vehicle age will likely make a big difference in what you end up paying for car insurance. Normally, it costs more to insure newer cars because they're worth more, however, as time goes on and Leafs begin to depreciate, insurance costs will gradually get lower.

Based on the above table, the Nissan Leaf bucks the trend, as the most expensive models to insure are those that are 6 to 7 years old, while on average, the cheapest Leafs are 2 to 3 years old.

Your Age

Age Average Monthly Premium
Under 18Not Enough Data
18-24$107
25-34$75
35-44$62
45-54$53
55-64$52
65 or Older$59

How old you are makes a difference in how much you pay for auto insurance. As you can see in the table above, young drivers pay more for insurance than older drivers. In this case, drivers between 18 and 24 pay $32 more than those 25 or older.

Insurance prices continue to decrease as you get older, with the cheapest age group for Leaf drivers being 55-64.

Your Gender

Gender Average Monthly Premium
Male$72
Female$73

Did you know women usually pay less for car insurance than men? This is because men are more likely to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which raises the chances of an insurance claim. For Leaf drivers, that difference is around $1 monthly, with women paying an average of $73 and men looking at about $72.

Where You Live

State Average Monthly Premium
California$50
Florida$107
Georgia$137
Illinois$39
New York$215
North Carolina$47
Ohio$26
Pennsylvania$33
Texas$63
Virginia$44

It may seem like common sense that variables like what vehicle you drive and how old you are play a role in your auto insurance rates, but did you know that where you live can be equally important? Because insurance is regulated at the state level, prices differ quite a bit from state to state.

For example, the average Nissan Leaf owner in New York pays around $215 per month for liability coverage, while the same Californian driver will pay only a quarter of that price, on average. The table above shows average premiums for the 10 largest states by population, just to give you a good idea of how much rates can change depending on where you live.


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Nissan Leaf Car Insurance Discounts

Whatever your age, your home state, or your car, it's always a smart move to take advantage of as many car insurance discounts as possible.

Not every auto insurance company will offer the same discounts, but there are a few that are relatively universal. These include things like:

  • Multi-car discounts for adding more than one vehicle to your auto policy
  • Pay-in-full discounts for choosing to pay your entire policy price at once, rather than in monthly installments
  • Defensive driving discounts for taking a defensive driving class through an accredited school or institution
  • Vehicle safety discounts for having a vehicle with higher safety ratings or one with certain safety features (like air bags or anti-lock brakes)

There are all sorts of other discounts out there for saving money on your car insurance. Some of the best ways to save are just by having a positive insurance profile and good driving record.

While you don't have control over every factor auto insurance companies look at to calculate prices (like some of the ones mentioned above), you can influence some of them. Below are just a few of the ones you can use to your favor in order to save on insurance:

Your Driving Record

Infractions Average Monthly Premium
1 Accident$105
Multiple Accidents$112
1 Ticket$67
Multiple Tickets$72

You've almost certainly seen ads from auto insurance carriers posting big savings for safe drivers. It checks out that if you get a ticket for speeding or get into an accident, car insurance premiums will go higher. But you still might be left wondering exactly how much collisions and moving violations will cost you.

Looking at the table above, you'll notice that accidents will usually cost Leaf drivers more than tickets, but both will result in higher than average rates. Nissan Leaf drivers with a single ticket will pay an average of $67 a month, while drivers with one accident on their record pay about $105 each month (up $33 from the $72/mo. overall average). Those who have multiple kinds of either violation will end up paying even more.

How Much You Drive

Annual Mileage Average Monthly Premium
0-2,500 Miles$96
2,501-5,000 Miles$99
5,001-7,500 Miles$62
7,501-10,000 Miles$62
10,000+ Miles$77

Another variable that impacts your insurance rates is the amount of miles you drive. Those who drive less are more likely to go accident-free, so they'll normally get cheaper premiums. Based on the table above, you can see that Nissan Leaf owners who drive between 5,000 and 7,500 miles per year pay about $62 monthly for car insurance, while those who put between 2,500 and 5,000 miles on their cars pay $99.

If you don't use your Nissan Leaf to travel or commute regularly, it may be worth reviewing usage-based or pay-per-mile auto insurance. With these policies, you pay a small base rate each month, with your final monthly bill being calculated based on how many miles you drove.


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How Do Nissan Leafs Compare to Other Vehicles?

If you're thinking about making a Nissan Leaf your next car, it can pay off to do your research. Auto insurance is just one cost that's associated with a new car purchase, but it's definitely one that's worth considering carefully.

Review the table below to see how the Nissan Leaf compares:

Nissan Leaf National Average
Liability Insurance-$81
Full Coverage Insurance$120$169
Base MSRP$27,400$42,283
Average Annual Mileage10,14511,660

With an MSRP that's a third less than the going rate for a new vehicle, the Nissan Leaf is a great value when it comes to price. While the national average vehicle MSRP is $42,283, the Leaf has a base price of just $27,400.

Liability insurance for a Nissan Leaf is, while full coverage is more than $40 cheaper per month.

When it comes to usage, Nissan Leaf drivers are far from the national average in annual miles driven, with 10,145 miles a year compared to 11,660 for all vehicles.

Nissan Leaf Car Insurance Costs by Model Year

We've gone over many of the things that can have an impact on what you'll pay for insurance. But if you're thinking about buying a new vehicle and the Leaf is one you're considering, having a good idea of exactly what you'll pay can be helpful as you consider your choices.

For this reason, we've crunched the numbers and broken down Nissan Leaf car insurance rates by model year. Simply find the model year you want in the dropdown to see average rates for both liability only and full coverage options. You'll also find some other helpful info, like cheapest insurance carrier, base price, and even available trims for each Leaf model year.

2021 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$63
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$225
Base MSRP$31,620
Cheapest Insurance CompanyLiberty Mutual - $20/mo.
Available TrimsS, S PLUS, SL PLUS, SV, SV PLUS

If you're in the market for a brand new Nissan Leaf, there are plenty of options to choose from. With five different trim levels to pick from, there's surely a style for everyone.

It costs about $63 monthly, on average, to insure a 2021 Nissan Leaf for liability only and $225 a month for full coverage. And if you want the lowest insurance possible, Liberty Mutual offers liability only policies for as low as just $20 monthly.

Although it's great to know the average price drivers pay for insurance, a personalized quote is the only way to know exactly how much insurance will cost you. With Compare.com, you can gather multiple quotes at once, all for free. To get started, simply enter your ZIP code below.


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2020 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$59
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$170
Base MSRP$31,600
Cheapest Insurance CompanyDirectGeneral - $34/mo.
Available TrimsS, S PLUS, SL PLUS, SV, SV PLUS

If you're in the market for a 2020 Leaf or already own one, you're most likely looking at an average auto insurance premium of around $170 for full coverage or $59 for a liability only policy.

And if you're just looking for the cheapest insurance for your Leaf, DirectGeneral offers liability only policies for as little as $34 a month.

If you want more accurate quotes of how much you can expect to pay, get free quotes in minutes by just entering your ZIP code below.


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2019 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$87
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$162
Base MSRP$29,990
Cheapest Insurance CompanyShelter Mutual - $37/mo.
Available TrimsS PLUS/SL PLUS/SV PLUS, S/SL/SV

The average cost to insure a 2019 Nissan Leaf with liability only coverage is $87 per month, while full coverage runs about $162 monthly.

We found Shelter Mutual offered the most affordable policy, with rates as low as $37 a month.

Want something more accurate than national averages? All you need to do is enter your ZIP code below and you'll be on your way to comparing a bunch of personalized quotes from the nation's top insurance companies.


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2018 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$60
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$116
Base MSRP$29,990
Cheapest Insurance CompanyHugo - $22/mo.
Available TrimsS/SV/SL

You can expect full coverage for a 2018 Leaf to run around $116 per month, while liability only coverage will average about $60 a month.

Looking for the lowest policy? Hugo offered liability only coverage for sometimes as cheap as $22 per month.

If you want more accurate quotes of how much you can expect to pay, just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes in minutes.


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2017 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$71
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$150
Base MSRP$30,680
Cheapest Insurance CompanyLiberty Mutual - $20/mo.
Available TrimsS/SV/SL

It costs around $71 monthly for liability or $150 for a full coverage policy for the 2017 Nissan Leaf.

With prices as cheap as just $20 per month, Liberty Mutual offered the cheapest policy we found.

If you want to know just how much your rate will be, get free quotes in minutes by just entering your ZIP code below.


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2016 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$78
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$151
Base MSRP$29,010
Cheapest Insurance CompanyMetroMile - $28/mo.
Available TrimsS, SV/SL

On average, drivers who own a 2016 Leaf can expect to pay $78 to $151 monthly for liability only and full coverage auto insurance, respectively.

With rates as cheap as $28 a month, MetroMile offered the lowest policy we found for the 2016 Nissan Leaf.

Want to find the cheapest rates? Just enter your ZIP code below to get a variety of free personalized quotes.


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2015 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$60
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$151
Base MSRP$29,010
Cheapest Insurance CompanyDirectGeneral - $23/mo.
Available TrimsS/SV/SL

2015 Nissan Leaf drivers can expect to pay an average of $60 monthly for liability or $151 for full coverage.

If you're looking for the most affordable 2015 Nissan Leaf insurance policy, DirectGeneral offered the most affordable policy we found, with rates sometimes as low as $23 per month.

If you want to know exactly how much you can expect to pay for your Leaf, just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes in minutes.


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2014 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$82
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$145
Base MSRP$28,980
Cheapest Insurance CompanyVerti - $33/mo.
Available TrimsS/SV/SL

It costs about $82 a month for liability or $145 for a full coverage policy for the 2014 Leaf.

Verti offered the cheapest policy we found, with rates as low as just $33 monthly.

If you want to know exactly how much you can expect to pay for your Leaf, just enter your ZIP code below and get several free quotes in minutes.


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2013 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$91
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$149
Base MSRP$28,800
Cheapest Insurance CompanyClearcover - $21/mo.
Available TrimsS/SV/SL

2013 Nissan Leaf drivers can expect to pay an average of $91 per month for liability or $149 for full coverage.

Clearcover has premiums as cheap as just $21 a month for the 2013 Nissan Leaf.

What will your car insurance price be? Enter your ZIP code below to get lots of free customized quotes.


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2012 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$72
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$171
Base MSRP$35,200
Cheapest Insurance CompanyElephant - $24/mo.
Available TrimsSV/SL

On average, drivers who own a 2012 Leaf can expect to pay $72 to $171 monthly for liability only and full coverage insurance, respectively.

With prices sometimes as low as $24 per month, Elephant offered the most affordable policy we found for the 2012 Nissan Leaf.

While these are good estimates of what the average driver might pay to insure a 2012 Nissan Leaf, these premiums might differ based on your driver profile. Just enter your ZIP code below, to get free personalized quotes in minutes.


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2011 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance

   
Liability Only Avg. Premium$61
Full Coverage Avg. Premium$155
Base MSRP$32,780
Cheapest Insurance CompanySafeco - $22/mo.
Available TrimsSV/SL

You can expect full coverage for a 2011 Nissan Leaf to run around $155 a month, while liability only coverage will average about $61 monthly.

Safeco offered the lowest policy we found, with rates as low as $22 per month.

If you want to know exactly how much you can expect to pay for your Leaf, get free quotes in minutes by just entering your ZIP code below.


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Nissan Leaf Insurance FAQs

Is a Nissan Leaf expensive to insure?

It costs less to insure a Nissan Leaf when compared to the average vehicle. Liability insurance runs an average of $72 a month, while full coverage will cost you around $153.

How can I get the best price on car insurance for my Nissan Leaf?

The only way to guarantee you're getting the most affordable price on auto insurance is to check prices regularly and compare quotes from a whole bunch of carriers. Over time, your driver profile changes, which could change your rates, so it's recommended that you get quotes every 6 months or so. Luckily, sites like Compare.com let you compare rates from a whole range of companies at once, meaning you can find the cheapest rates (or guarantee you already have the best deal) in just a few minutes.

Does the color of my Nissan Leaf affect my insurance prices?

Have you heard that it costs more to insure red cars than silver or white ones before? Well, that's actually not true. Even though there are several factors car insurance carriers look at when they calculate how much you'll pay, the color of your vehicle is not used to make that determination.

Do I need to have insurance before I buy a Nissan Leaf?

You'll need to have a valid auto insurance policy before you can legally drive your new (or new to you) Leaf off the dealership lot. As part of the buying process, some dealerships may offer you a car insurance policy, but the best thing to do when buying a a new car is to talk with your car insurance company beforehand.

What car insurance discounts can I get for my Nissan Leaf?

You will find a whole range of discounts out there when it comes to insurance. Many of them (like "multi-policy discounts" and "safe driver discounts") are more based on you than the Nissan Leaf you drive, but if your Leaf has safety features like anti-lock brakes, anti-theft systems, airbags, and other features, it may qualify for certain discounts. You'll only know about which discounts you qualify for if you reach out to your insurance carrier and ask about their discounts.

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