What are car insurance groups?

Every make and model of car in the UK is placed into a car group. Each car group is given a number, running from 1 to 50.

Cars in lower groups are usually seen as lower risk and are therefore often cheaper to insure, while those in higher groups are seen as a greater risk and therefore may cost more to insure.

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Car insurance groups explained

Car insurance groups are a handy way for car insurers to classify cars and calculate their premiums. They’re also a great way for you to get an idea of how much a car will cost to insure.

The insurance group a car is put into will depend on:

• The value of the car: More expensive cars tend to be placed in higher car groups
  
  
• How rare a car is: Rarer cars can be harder to find parts for and may be at a greater risk of theft, meaning they’re more likely to be put in a higher car insurance group
  
  
• The car’s performance: Faster cars are viewed as a higher risk and usually end up in higher groups
  
  
• The cost of repairs and replacement parts and repairs: The more expensive these are, the more likely a car will be placed into a higher group
  
  
• A car’s security features: Security features, like alarms and immobilisers, can reduce the risk of theft and lead to a car being placed into a lower group.
  
  
• A car’s safety features: Cars with a better Euro NCAP safety rating will typically be placed into lower car insurance groups.

Remember, car insurance groups are just one factor insurers use to calculate the cost of car insurance premiums. They will also look at your age, driving history, where you live, and more.

Car insurance group letters explained

You’ll often see letters used alongside insurance groups. But what do the letters mean on car insurance groups? They help to show how well a car meets an insurance group’s safety and security requirements.

The insurance group letters mean:

• A: The car meets the safety standards for its group.
  
  
• E: The car exceeds the safety standards for its group. It has been placed in a lower group.
  
  
• D: The car doesn’t meet the safety standards for its group. It has been placed in a higher group.
  
  
• P: The car is only provisionally placed, as the data needed to properly judge the car was incomplete when it was released.
  
  
• U: The security for the car falls below the requirements for the group. To get it insured, the insurer may ask you to fit updated security features.
  
  
• G: The car has been imported.

What kind of cars are in insurance group 1?

Cars in insurance group 1 are typically models that are small, have lower power, and are fairly inexpensive to repair. They’re amongst the cheapest to insure, and are often popular amongst new and younger drivers. Examples of cars in insurance group 1 include some models of the Volkswagen Up, Hyundai i10, and Kia Rio.

What kind of cars are in insurance group 25?

Cars placed in insurance group 25 tend to be mid-range in cost and performance, offering good security and safety features. These usually include family saloons, hatchbacks, and smaller SUVs. Examples include some models of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Coupe, and Volkswagen Golf.

What kind of cars are in insurance group 50?

Group 50 is the highest insurance category for cars, reserved for high-performance, luxury or specialist vehicles. These cars are typically powerful, relatively rare, and expensive to buy and repair. Often, they come with advanced technology or bespoke parts.

Models in this group include the Porsche 911 Coupe, Tesla Model S Plaid, and Range Rover Sport SVR.

What affects the price of car insurance?

While your car’s insurance group is important, insurers also look at a few other factors when calculating your premium. These include:

• Your age: Younger drivers, especially those under 25, face higher premiums as they’re more likely to be involved in accidents and are seen as a higher insurance risk.
• Your address: If you live in a postcode that sees higher average levels of car theft or vandalism, your car insurance will often be more expensive.
• Your annual mileage: The more you drive, the greater the risk of an accident, and the higher your premium.
• Your driving history: If you have any driving convictions, your car insurance premiums will be higher.
• Your previous claims: Any previous claims you’ve made on your car insurance will likely push up your premiums.
• Your job: Some jobs are viewed as riskier than others, which can increase your premiums.
  
  

Your no claims discount: The longer you go without making a claim, the better no claims discount you may receive.