Marissa Hayes

Insurance Writer & Expert

Marissa Hayes is a technical editor and contributing writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history, and she was the editor of the literary magazine, The Bluestone Review.

Insurance Writer & Expert

Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Mar 17, 2024

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In a nutshell

  • An average insurance quote for a Jeep Wrangler is around $104 per month or $1,256 annually
  • The Jeep Wrangler Sport is the cheapest trim to insure, with rates as low as $94 per month or $1,134 annually
  • While the Jeep Wrangler receives good safety ratings, the SUV is still known for rolling over when involved in collisions

The average Jeep Wrangler car insurance rates are $104 per month or $1,256 annually. Many factors impact your Jeep car insurance, like the age of your model. For example, insurance for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler will be less than the 2020 Jeep Wrangler insurance costs.

Whether you are a high-risk driver looking to insure a single door Jeep Wrangler or an experienced driver with a clean driving history hoping to get lower rates on a 2 door long-wheelbase Jeep, read through our comprehensive guide. We’ll help you learn how to get the best Jeep insurance prices.

Ready to secure the cheapest Jeep Wrangler auto insurance? You can compare rates for Jeep insurance online by entering your ZIP code into our FREE quote comparison tool above.

Ready to find the cheapest Jeep Wrangler car insurance rates? Begin reading now.

Average Jeep Wrangler Insurance Rates

If you’re wondering are Jeeps more expensive to insure, don’t worry too much. Over the years, the 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD has been one of the cheapest cars to insure, according to US Daily News, Forbes, and Chicago Tribune. The Jeep Wrangler ranks among the top five cheapest vehicles to insure by make and model. The average annual cost to insure the Sport is $1,134 based on single male, 40 years old with a daily commute of 12 miles.

How much does insurance cost for a Jeep Wrangler? It depends on what year your model is. Check out different Jeep Wrangler car insurance costs by model year in the table below.

Jeep Wrangler Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Model Year
Jeep Wrangler Model YearAverage Annual Auto Insurance Rates
2020 Jeep Wrangler$1,256
2019 Jeep Wrangler$1,250
2018 Jeep Wrangler$1,244
2017 Jeep Wrangler$1,248
2016 Jeep Wrangler$1,242
2015 Jeep Wrangler$1,230
2014 Jeep Wrangler$1,208
2013 Jeep Wrangler$1,184
2012 Jeep Wrangler$1,154
2011 Jeep Wrangler$1,122
2010 Jeep Wrangler$1,102
2009 Jeep Wrangler$1,094
2008 Jeep Wrangler$1,068
2007 Jeep Wrangler$1,050
2006 Jeep Wrangler$1,020
2005 Jeep Wrangler$996
2004 Jeep Wrangler$972
2003 Jeep Wrangler$958
2002 Jeep Wrangler$940
2001 Jeep Wrangler$918
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How much does it cost to insure a Jeep Wrangler in your state? Are Jeeps expensive to insure? That depends very much on where you live. The lowest Jeep auto insurance rates for the Sport are $697 annually in Maine and $899 annually in Illinois, while the highest Jeep insurance rates are found in Michigan, at $2,027 annually based on the same specs.

The Jeep Patriot 2WD and the Compass Sport 2WD are also found in the list of top 10 cheapest vehicles to insure. Several years ago, Jeep Wrangler earned a spot among the cheapest rates for vehicle insurance by Forbes. So, are Jeep Wranglers expensive to insure? Not compared to other SUVs.

The reasons given by insurance companies for the low insurance rate include the engine design which makes for easy customization and repair and available parts.

Generally, the older the model, the lower the insurance rates are unless the vehicle has been modified, owned by a celebrity, featured in a movie, or has a young driver as its primary driver.

If you’re looking for modified Jeep insurance, expect to pay substantially more than average. Jeep Wrangler insurance for 17-year-olds will also be higher.

Jeep insurance for young drivers and heavily modified vehicles increase because both are a sign of higher-risk to insurance companies. However, you can still get cheap car insurance for young drivers by looking at different available discounts. (For more information, read our “Auto Insurance Companies That Cover Modified Cars“).

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Are Jeep Wranglers safe?

We’ve talked about the cost of insurance on a Jeep Wrangler, now let’s address safety concerns. Many adults ask about the safety ratings of the Jeep even before discussing price and features. Good safety ratings will always lead to a lower insurance cost on a Jeep Wrangler.

To answer the question of are Jeep Wranglers safe cars, know that the Jeep is only dangerous if the driver is reckless. While it does not have safety features similar to a Volvo or Mercedes, this multipurpose vehicle drives well on almost all kinds of terrain.

This often leads to a false sense of security if the driver does not keep the Jeep’s limitations in mind. However, it is possible to add additional safety features like full roll cages and by avoiding higher tires or lift kits to keep the car’s center of gravity as low as possible.

In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 two-door Jeep Wrangler, sometimes called a single door Jeep, a front crash prevention safety rating of ‘Superior’ with optional equipment.

Whether you’re interested in a two-door or four-door Wrangler, both vehicles received decent safety ratings from the Insurance Institution for Highway Safety. What is a 4 door Wrangler called? The Unlimited.

How safe are the Jeep Wrangler four-door models? Check out the Unlimited’s safety ratings in the table below.

2020 Jeep Wrangler Safety Ratings
Crash TestSafety Rating
Small overlap front (driver-side)Marginal
Moderate overlap frontGood
SideGood
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints and seatsGood
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Unless you get the Jeep with the longer wheelbase, the Wrangler Unlimited, which came out in 2004, drivers should avoid high speeds. We’ve already talked about the major difference between the Jeep Wrangler two-door vs the Unlimited, which is the overall size of the vehicle.

Another major difference between the wheelbase lengths in the Jeep Wrangler two-door vs four-door is that the shorter wheelbase reduces stability under certain road conditions. This is a similar issue the original Jeep YJ wheelbase also experienced.

However, even the 2019 four-door Jeep Wrangler rolled over in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crash test. Check out the following video to see what we mean.

What are other differences between a two-door Wrangler vs the four-door Wrangler? Four-doors have more legroom for backseat passengers. You can fit a car seat in a four-door Jeep Wrangler if needed.

If you’re still trying to choose between the Jeep Wrangler two-door or four-door, you can rest easy knowing that both models receive similar safety ratings. But remember, it’s up to you to practice safe, mindful driving.

The History of the Jeep Wrangler: The Ultimate Recreation Vehicle

The official slogan of Jeep, the ultimate recreation vehicle, represents liberty, freedom, and adventure. From the 1940s to the 1980s, Jeep was made by Kaiser-Jeep and American Motors.

The duo launched 14 new models in the 1960s led by the Jeep Wagoneer and transformed the brand into something more than just for recreation.

The Jeep Cherokee championed the 70s by winning the 4WD awards. Technically, there are no 70s Jeep Wranglers. In 1986, Fiat Chrysler introduced the first Jeep Wrangler and new innovations like the compact 4 door Uniframe with shift-on-the-fly capability.

The 1980s Jeep Wrangler also stayed true to the classic boxy design of the Jeep Wrangler old model.

By 1999, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s successful media campaign for being the most reliable SUV in the market led to the highest sales for the company.

Chrysler began naming the models as YJ for 1987 to 1995 models, TJ for 1997 to 2006 models, TJU, or LJs which were the Unlimited models released from 2004 to 2006, JKU and JK for models released from 2007 to the present.

Today, Jeep Wrangler is aptly represented by the Jeep Rubicon 4 door, Patriot, Compass, the redesigned Eco-Diesel Grand Cherokee, and the new midsize 2014 Cherokee. The later models of the Jeep Wrangler have stability control, anti-lock brakes, off-road tuning, a navigation system, software control, traction control, and limited-slip differential.

The most reliable Jeep Wrangler year is the 2007 model. For an SUV, the Jeep Wrangler car insurance quotes are very low. You cannot go wrong, no matter what Jeep Wrangler insurance group you choose to buy a policy from.

The Jeep Rubicon and Sports SUV Wrangler

The Jeep Rubicon is one of the three trims of the Wrangler and is unique in the sense that it has a dedicated off-road set-up that includes among others Dana 44 axles, electric lockers, removable doors, Rock-Trac 4WD, rock rails, fold-down windshield, seven speakers for the sound system, and 2007-08 Yes Essential seats.

The other two Wrangler trims are the Sahara and the Sport.

As a sports SUV, the Wrangler was recognized as having the best resale value by Kelly Blue Book for 2009, 2012, and 2013 and its Canadian equivalent from 2011 to 2013 for compact SUV.

The Unlimited Rubicon also won the 4×4 of the Decade Award given by Four Wheeler magazine in 2010. It isn’t called iconic as a descriptive adjective but because the Jeep Wrangler was actually awarded as “One of the Most Iconic Cars of the Last 20 Years” by Business Week in 2009.

In 2008, Forbes Autos awarded Jeep Wrangler as one of the top ten vehicles with the highest resale value. The 2015 model is now ranking 19 out of 27 of the most affordable compact SUVs and eleventh among off-road SUVs.

The fuel efficiency is equal to other off-road SUVs with 17 city miles per gallon and 21 highway miles per gallon. Other features for the four-door Unlimited include the front and rear auxiliary power outlets, an eight-speaker audio system, more back seat legroom, auto climate control, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and remote start among others.

Jeep Wrangler Two-Door Versus Four-Door

Both the two-door Jeep and the four-door Wrangler Jeep have their own die-hard fans. Both models have soft and hard tops, are off-road vehicles and have usable back seats.

The main differences between the two-door Jeep and the four-door Wrangler are:

  • The four-door has more space, seats 5, and legroom especially for back passengers
  • The four-door has a longer wheelbase and performs better on most roads especially inclines although the shorter wheelbase performs better on turns.
  • The two-door, seats four and rides better on rocky surfaces, for winter driving, and has a more efficient break angle
  • The two-door Jeep has less cargo space and cannot accommodate baby car seats

When choosing between the Jeep JL two-door vs four-door model, make sure whatever vehicle you purchase accommodates all of your unique needs.

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Jeep Wrangler Cost of Maintenance

Are Jeeps high maintenance? One of the advantages of having a well-loved brand in your garage is being able to access numerous information regarding maintenance and repairs. The common problems you can expect, fortunately, are relatively easy to fix are the:

  • Power window mechanism.
  • Leaks on side doors.
  • Problems with A/C.

All of these issues can be swiftly dealt with given regular maintenance and proper use. It is also possible to get ahead of the problem by changing A/C sub-assemblies and using better seals to prevent leaks.

You can be assured that being an American-designed and made product, you will get quality and reliability. It will also be easy to find replacement parts. The Jeep can tow up to 3,500 which could come in handy once in a while.

For a used 2011 Jeep YJ, you will have to factor in costs of maintenance like oil change, differential fluid change, replacement of brake pads, checking power steering and alternator, and engine fluids.

Usually the Jeep Wrangler differential fluid change costs between $75 and $130 in total.

There is a setlist of maintenance guidelines found in the owner’s manual but realistically, maintenance would depend on usage. If you are buying used, ask for receipts and historical documents to best understand the maintenance needs of that particular Jeep.

Opinions about the Jeep Wrangler

In 2012, a contributor writer of online Forbes Magazine came out with a startling pronouncement about the Jeep Wrangler and other cars. Jim Gorzelany said that the much-admired and iconic Jeep Wrangler “lacks refinement, comfort, and road manners” because its handling is clumsy, loud on long stretches of road, and uncomfortable.

He added that the 2012 model got a poor crash test result as well as lousy reliability and performance scores. But we’ve already discussed how true or false this is.

The opinions of Jim grated on the nerves and sensitivities of the hundreds of loyal Jeep fans who deeply and loudly disagreed. It also brought in more awareness of the Jeep brand which is now on its third generation having started around the 1940s.

Stop asking how much is the insurance for a Jeep Wrangler and start comparing real quotes right now. Just enter your five-digit ZIP code into our FREE tool to secure lower than average insurance costs for a Jeep Wrangler. Buy Jeep Wrangler car insurance now.

Frequently Asked Questions: Jeep Wrangler Car Insurance

You’re now an expert on insurance cost for the Jeep Wrangler, and how much you should expect to pay in premiums. Before choosing the best Jeep Wrangler car insurance company for you, take a look at some common questions below.

#1 – What is the Jeep Rubicon resale value?

Kelley Blue Book gives the Jeep Rubicon a resale value of 57.6% after five years of ownership. The Jeep Rubicon insurance rates are similar to other Jeep Wrangler models, as the Rubicon is simply a trim option for the Wrangler.

#2 – Can you get the Jeep magazine for free?

Yes, you can request multiple free Jeep catalogs online.

#3 – What are the average Jeep Patriot insurance rates?

The average Jeep Patriot insurance rates are $103 per month or $1,238 annually.

#4 – Are there any Jeep Wrangler models to avoid?

If you’re wondering which year of Jeep Wrangler to avoid, some consumers suggest that the 2007, 2008, and 2012 models are Jeep Wrangler years to avoid.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the parent company of Jeep, has issued several recalls in recent years for certain models of the 2019 and 2020 Jeep Wrangler. It is wise to do your research when shopping for any new or used car.

However, take the suggestions about what year of Jeep Wrangler to avoid with a grain of salt. For example, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler insurance costs are usually lower because it’s also known as one of the most reliable model years.

#5 – What are the 2005 Jeep Wrangler insurance costs?

The average cost for insurance on a 2005 Jeep Wrangler is $83 per month or $992 annually.

#6 – What is the cheapest Jeep Wrangler model?

The two-door, Jeep Wrangler Sport S is usually the most affordable new model.

#7 – What is better, the two-door vs four-door Jeep Wrangler for off-roading?

The four-door is safer for off-roading, but the two-door compact Jeep Wrangler performs better.

#8 – Do they make 2WD Jeep Wranglers?

Two-wheel drive four-door Jeep Wranglers were only produced from 2007 to 2010.

#9 – What are the Jeep Wrangler Car and Driver reviews?

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler is one of the Car and Driver editor’s picks and received a rating of 8.5 out of 10 from the website.

References:

  1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Jeep/wrangler-2-door-suv/2020