How cheap is car insurance for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck is one of America’s best-selling cars and comes in a wide variety of configurations including a Hybrid version. If you’re considering purchasing the Silverado 1500 from General Motors, look no further to get a handle on the cost of car insurance. Simply enter your ZIP code above and compare car insurance quotes from auto insurance companies nationwide.

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Read more about owning and insuring a Silverado 1500, its safety record and other factors that affect its insurance rates below.

About the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Chevrolet began using the name Silverado for its full-size pickup trucks in 1999. Before that time, Silverado was the name given to higher trim levels on Chevrolet pickup trucks and Suburban SUVs. The Silverado 1500 is Chevrolet’s half-ton sibling to the GMC Sierra 1500. These two compete primarily with the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500 for market share, and there is debate as to who’s on top. Although some reviewers such as U.S. News & World Report are quick to repeat Ford’s assertion that the F-150 is a bestseller in its class, others such as J.D. Power & Associates disagree. They point out that the Ford F-Series overall outsells the Silverado line, but that, in the half-ton segment, GM’s Silverado 1500 is the bestseller. Others note that this is even more true when sales of its sibling the GMC Sierra 1500 are taken into account. Regardless of who’s correct, most reviewers agree that the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a solid, reliable choice worthy of a strong recommendation. (For more information, read our  Cheap GMC Car Insurance”).

There’s a Silverado 1500 trim level available for every taste and requirement, with five in all for 2011 ranging from the basic WK to the finely appointed LTZ. Although previous-generation Silverado 1500s suffered from cheaper interior finishing in the opinion of reviewers, the current generation gets better press. Edmunds.com offers a typical reaction to the current Silverado 1500 interior, noting its “richly grained upholstery, softer materials and precise fitments.” Starting prices range from $20,850 for the no-frills WK to $38,625 for the largest LTZ.

These trim levels are available with a choice of regular, extended or crew cab, as well as short, standard or long box. Both rear- and front-wheel drive are available, and the Silverado 1500’s range of engines includes the basic 4.3-liter V6, the popular 4.8-liter and 5.3-liter V8s, and the powerful 6.2-liter V8 available on higher trims. All of its V8 engines run on ethanol as well as gas, and the two largest engines are available with a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive rather than the Silverado 1500’s standard four-speed automatic. While technology options in the Silverado 1500 are less extensive than in the Ford F-150, reviewers note that the Silverado 1500 nonetheless has plenty of up-to-date features, including navigation with real-time traffic and rearview camera, an off-road package, several towing packages, upgraded entertainment, Bluetooth, OnStar and rear parking assist, to name just a few.

Worthy Performance

Performance-wise, reviewers generally approve of the Silverado 1500’s handling, suspension, quiet cabin, fuel economy, and off-road and towing ability. On regular dry roads, the four-wheel drive functions as an all-wheel drive system, sending power as needed to specific wheels. The driver can also engage true four-wheel drive as needed and send power equally to all four. Torque is delivered smoothly throughout the entire spectrum, resulting in powerful acceleration with or without a load, especially, note reviewers, in the seamless six-speed transmission versions. Overall, Kelly Blue Book resonates with most reviewers in awarding the current generation of Silverado 1500s near-perfect marks in all categories — value, reliability, quality, performance, style and comfort.

Safety Features and Crash Evaluations

The Silverado 1500 comes equipped with standard safety features including front, side and side-curtain air bags with a front-passenger-seat disengage switch, traction control, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring, remote keyless entry, rear-door child security lockout on most trims, and a complete menu of OnStar services including crash and emergency assistance. Also available on some trims are rear parking assist, fog lamps, defogger, four-wheel disc brakes and remote vehicle start.

In crash evaluations performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2011 Silverado 1500 received a top score of “good” in front offset testing and the next-highest score of “acceptable” in side impact testing. Prior to 2010, side impact results were poor, as were rear crash results for model years 2001 through 2006. In federal government testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2011 Silverado 1500 received four out of five stars overall, with five for side impact and four for rollover and front impact. The 2009 model year was also evaluated with a previous, less stringent set of criteria, and earned five stars in all catgories except for a four-star rating in rollover.

How much is car insurance for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The national average for insuring a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 varies between conservative estimates of $1300 per year to around $1550 per year. With so many trim levels and combinations, some Silverado 1500s may exceed this average while others may cost less. Taking this average range as a starting point, you’ll need to consider other factors that affect the cost you ultimately will pay when it comes time to buy car insurance for your Silverado 1500. These include your age, driving record, credit score, state and town, and other possibilities such as multi-policy discounts you may be able to take advantage of. Any of these can have a significant impact on your insurance costs, so don’t hesitate to shop around and compare rates and terms in order to get the best deal you can. Why not start the process now — enter your zip code and begin shopping for car insurance!

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