What is the least expensive car to insure?

That's an excellent question to consider if you're shopping for a new set of wheels. Car insurance rates vary widely based on the type of vehicle you want to insure. Among 2010 models, the Mazda Tribute i (2WD 4 Door Utility) is the least expensive vehicle to insure with an average annual premium of $1,070.25, according to a study commissioned by Insure.com from Quadrant Information Services. The most expensive vehicle to insure is the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2, with an average annual premium of $2943.78. (Those average premiums are for a single, 40-year-old male with a good driving record and good credit.)

Among vehicle categories, the Dodge Caliber is the least expensive car to insure, the GMC Canyon WT (2WD 2 Door 2.9L) is the least expensive pickup to insure, and the Honda Odyssey LX (5 Door 2WD SOHC) is the least expensive minivan to insure.

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A variety of factors make some cars more expensive to insure than others. Rates also depend on the risk profile of the average person who drives a particular vehicle. For example, mini-vans are less expensive to insure. Minivans are often a popular choice for “soccer moms” who probably drive very carefully and probably don’t do a lot of night driving. Some small cars have relatively high rates because they tend to be driven by young, inexperienced drivers, who are more likely to get in accidents.

The cost of repairing and replacing a vehicle is another factor. Rates are likely to be higher for a $100,000 sports car than for a $17,000 economy car because the car insurance company would have to pay more to repair the car after an accident or to replace it in the event that it was stolen. Rates also increase with horsepower because cars designed to go fast encourage speedy driving.

For more, see car insurance comparison -- the most and least expensive cars to insure in 2010.