Is It Better to Lease or Buy a Car?

Leasing is a great option if you want a car short-term or want to test out the vehicle before purchasing. Buying outright offers more freedom, but it's costly.
Written by Jacoba Bood
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Leasing is a low-commitment option that comes with some limitations. Buying costs more up front, but gives you more freedom.
When you’re deciding whether to lease or buy a vehicle, your choice should take your financial flexibility and lifestyle into account.
That’s why the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
has compiled everything that you need to know about leasing a car, how it works, and the pros and cons that come with leasing a vehicle.
Whether you choose to lease or buy,
Jerry
can help you find the best
cheap car insurance
rates so that you can afford a better monthly payment plan.
Not to mention—the average Jerry driver saves over $800 a year on
car insurance
.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

How does leasing work?

When you
lease a car
, you basically agree to rent that vehicle from the dealership.
The lease term stipulates the length of the lease. It is usually either 36 or 48 months.

The difference between leasing and buying

When you buy a car, your payments will be based on the sale price, the interest rate, and the number of months.
Once you pay off the
car loan
, you will own the vehicle and are free to do as you wish with it.
When you decide to lease, your lease contract will usually include all of the following factors:
  • Taxes and Fees
  • Rent charges
  • Expected mileage
  • Length of the lease
  • Sale price
  • The residual value of the vehicle at the end of the lease
When the lease term is completed, you will return the vehicle to the dealership.
Abiding by lease terms
You will also have to agree to certain lease terms. If you haven’t met these terms, you could be on the hook for fees when you return the car.
For example, most leases come with expected mileage limits built into the lease price. You will probably be allotted about 10,000 miles a year for a lease term—although you can pay more monthly to increase your mileage allotment.
If you exceed your yearly allotment, you will have to pay fees for the extra miles at the end of the lease.
In most cases, you can also choose to buy the car after leasing it. If so, the pre-arranged purchase price will already be laid out in your lease contract.
Leasing is a good short-term option if you’re okay with abiding by a few restrictions—like mileage limits.
MORE: How to refinance your car lease

Making lease payments

In most cases, monthly lease payments will be lower than monthly loan payments on the same vehicle.
Some dealerships or manufacturers may require you to make a down payment before taking out a lease contract. This isn’t always the case, so it might be a good idea to shop around if you prefer to put less money down upfront.
Generally speaking, the more that you put down up front, the less you will have to pay on a monthly basis.
A larger down payment can also help offset the purchase price if you plan on purchasing the vehicle later down the line.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

The pros and cons of leasing

Whether or not it is better to lease or buy a vehicle depends on your personal needs, preferences, and budget.
Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing to lease:

Pros of leasing

Lower monthly payments: If you are on a tight monthly budget, leasing can be a great way to get behind the wheel of a vehicle that you couldn’t otherwise afford to buy.
No long-term commitment: The average lease term is only three to four years. Leasing is a good idea if you want to make sure you love a vehicle before you commit to buying it.
Better warranty: In most cases, you can enjoy full warranty coverage throughout the course of your lease term—so repair bills probably won’t be a problem.
Insurance minimums: Most lease contracts will also require that you take out full insurance coverage on your vehicle. This means you will likely have to purchase additional
comprehensive coverage
and
collision insurance
, which will provide you with adequate coverage in the event of an accident.
If you’re looking for insurance for your leased vehicle and you don’t want any of the hassle of shopping for
car insurance quotes online
, you can always use
Jerry
to help you save on your rates.
Answer a handful of questions (that take roughly 45 seconds) and Jerry will instantly provide you with competitive quotes that provide similar coverage to your current plan.

Cons of leasing

Mileage limitations: Leasing is usually not an ideal option for anybody who spends a lot of time behind the wheel. The average mileage limitation of 10,000 miles a year might not be sufficient for long daily commutes or spontaneous road trip adventures.
Higher long-term costs: When you lease, you will be making rental payments for the entire lease duration. As such, buying is generally considered the more affordable long-term option.
You can’t alter or modify the vehicle: A contract will typically stipulate that you return the vehicle in good condition. If you damage any superficial components of the vehicle, you will probably have to pay a fee to cover the cost.

How to shop for car insurance

Whether you choose to lease or buy your vehicle, using
Jerry
is always the best way to find the most affordable insurance coverage fast.
If you’re hesitant to switch plans or insurance providers because you’re worried about the work involved, don’t be. As a
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, Jerry does all the paperwork for you. You’ll never have to print out anything, go to the post office, or get on the phone. Jerry handles it all. Really!
No wonder Jerry is the top-rated insurance app in the country. The reviews say it all!
"Perfect. One thing I hate about shopping for insurance is entering all of my information over and over. The Jerry app did it all for me and then got me lower rates on my insurance. You can customize what coverage you want and it will literally look through tons of companies to get you the best rate for the coverage. You won’t get this anywhere else! 10/10!" — Satisfied Jerry Customer
RECOMMENDED
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
avatar
Judith switched to Progressive
icon savingsSaved $725 annually
avatar
Alexander switched to Travelers
icon savingsSaved $834 annually
avatar
Annie switched to Nationwide
icon savingsSaved $668 annually
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings