What You Need-to-Know About Car Insurance Groups

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Insuring your car is one of the most hated parts of the entire driving experience. It’s just a nightmare for the most part, and for more reasons than one. It costs you more, it’s a headache choosing the right kind of cover… It’s just hassle. What makes it even more of a hassle is when you learn that there are actually car insurance groups out there that your car fits into that is responsible for a large chunk of your premium.

What are Car Insurance Groups?

So, what are these mysterious insurance groups that we’re talking about? Well, they are a system that was put in place by Thatcham research that dictates how much your car is worth and as a result (along with a load of other things like your age, no claims, distance travelled, and even your job), it’s a big contributor to what you’re going to need to pay n your next renewal.

Whether you like it or not, you are always a part of one and the weight that they carry is truly phenomenal. It’s a huge deal, and understanding it is a great way to help make sure you know what to expect when you’re looking at insuring a vehicle.

What are the groups?

The next question that comes to mind as soon as you hear all of this is probably going to be which one is your car in, and sadly, we have some bad news. There’s actually a whopping 50 of them out there you could be in. It’s not as simple as other metrics in your car buying.

Just in case that wasn’t enough, it gets even more complicated too. As well as having a number between 1-50 to determine your car’s insurance group, you also have a suffix too, according to the Thatcham site. After all of the details about your vehicle are taken you then have a letter after your group number to tell the security level of your car as well. That’s thorough.

How does it Work?

Generally speaking, the system is based on what a crash would do to your car, and how much that would cost to fix. To quote the company behind the system:

“The Group Rating System relies on the internationally recognised insurance standard 15 km/h crash impact. Thatcham Research engineers then determine the cost of times and parts to return it to its pre-accident condition”

That’s just the tip of the iceberg too!

What Insurance Group Am I In?

If all of this has captured your interest and you want to know what group you’d actually be in, there’s an easy way to do it without having to do all of the guesswork yourself. It’s so easy in fact, that there’s a whole page of their site that is dedicated to it here:

Using the tool, all that you need to do is enter the information that you have about your vehicle. Your make, model, year, and even the variation of your car too. It’s serious business. All of that goes into a calculator with a start rating for your safety level too, and that’s what will give you your final number.

What if my group is high?

Now that you know what goes into giving you an insurance grouping, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to be in a lower group. To make sure that happens, you need to really use your head when you buy. Don’t jump into anything that may be a risk to drive or even to own if you’re scared of getting stung.

Get as much information as you can about your vehicle, even with an inspection like ours, and use the data to figure out what is an advantage or disadvantage to making your car what you need it to be. The rating is the rating and there’s nothing that you can really do about it (aside from up your security).

All in all, that’s all there is to it. We’ve given you all of the knowledge that we can to get you on your way. The rest is all down to you and your car. Keep in mind all of the other stuff that affects your insurance, and make sure you buy smart.

Learn how car insurance groups work and how they affect your premiums. Discover which cars fall into each group and how to save on your car insurance costs. When shopping for car insurance, you may have come across the term “car insurance groups.” Understanding how these groups work can help you find the most affordable coverage for your vehicle. In this guide, we’ll explain what car insurance groups are, how they are determined, and how they can affect your premiums.

What Are Car Insurance Groups?

Car insurance groups are classifications that insurance companies use to determine the cost of insuring a specific vehicle. In the UK, cars are placed into one of 50 insurance groups, with Group 1 being the cheapest to insure and Group 50 being the most expensive. These groups help insurers assess the risk and potential cost of covering a vehicle.

How Are Car Insurance Groups Determined?

A variety of factors influence which insurance group a car is assigned to. These factors include:

1. Vehicle Performance: Cars with powerful engines, higher top speeds, and faster acceleration are usually placed in higher insurance groups. High-performance vehicles are considered more likely to be involved in accidents.
2. Repair Costs: The cost of repairing a car after an accident is a key factor. Cars with expensive or rare parts, or those requiring specialized labor, are assigned to higher insurance groups due to their higher repair costs.
3. Vehicle Value: Expensive cars generally fall into higher insurance groups because they cost more to repair or replace. Vehicles with lower market value tend to be in lower groups.
4. Safety Features: Cars equipped with advanced safety features, such as automatic braking systems, airbags, and lane departure warnings, may fall into lower insurance groups. These features help prevent accidents and reduce the severity of collisions, making the car less of a risk.
5. Security Features: Cars with good security systems, such as alarms, immobilizers, and tracking devices, are less likely to be stolen or broken into. These vehicles often end up in lower insurance groups because they pose a lower risk to insurers.
6. Repair Time: The length of time it takes to repair a vehicle can impact insurance groupings. Cars that are quicker and easier to repair may fall into lower groups, while those requiring more time in the shop could be placed in higher groups.

Car Insurance Group Examples

Here’s an overview of how different types of cars are categorized into insurance groups:

• Group 1-10: Cars in these groups are the cheapest to insure. They are typically small, low-powered vehicles with affordable repair costs. Examples include the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Up.
• Group 11-20: Slightly larger or more powerful cars fall into this category. These cars offer moderate performance and safety, such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Yaris.
• Group 21-30: Mid-range cars, including family cars and larger saloons like the Audi A3 or Ford Focus, typically fall into these groups. They offer higher performance and are more expensive to repair.
• Group 31-40: Cars in this range are higher-performing vehicles with more advanced features and higher market values. Examples include the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
• Group 41-50: High-performance sports cars, luxury cars, and premium vehicles fall into the most expensive insurance groups. Examples include the Porsche 911 or Tesla Model S. These cars have the highest repair and replacement costs.

How Do Car Insurance Groups Affect Premiums?

The higher the insurance group, the more expensive it is to insure the vehicle. Insurers use these groups to calculate your premium, based on the risk associated with the car you drive. Here’s how it works:

• Group 1-10: Expect lower premiums due to the car’s low value, minimal repair costs, and lower risk.
• Group 11-20: Premiums are slightly higher than in the first group, but still relatively affordable.
• Group 21-30: Mid-range premiums, typically for family cars or mid-level sedans.
• Group 31-40: Higher premiums due to the car’s performance and repair costs.
• Group 41-50: These cars come with the highest insurance premiums due to their value, performance, and higher repair or replacement costs.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Premiums

Although the car’s insurance group is an important factor in determining your premium, there are ways to reduce your overall insurance costs:

1. Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car: If you’re looking to reduce your premiums, opt for a vehicle in a lower insurance group. Small, low-powered cars with advanced safety features often have the lowest insurance costs.
2. Install Security Features: If your car doesn’t already have an alarm or immobilizer, installing one could reduce your premium by lowering the risk of theft.
3. Increase Your Voluntary Excess: By agreeing to pay a higher voluntary excess in the event of a claim, you can reduce your monthly or annual premium.
4. Drive Safely: A clean driving record with no accidents or claims can result in lower insurance premiums over time.
5. Limit Your Mileage: The fewer miles you drive each year, the lower your premium may be. If you only drive occasionally, consider a low-mileage discount.
6. Consider Telematics Insurance: Also known as black box insurance, this tracks your driving habits and rewards safe driving with lower premiums.

Checking Your Car’s Insurance Group

Before purchasing a car, it’s a good idea to check which insurance group it falls into. You can find this information on many car insurance comparison websites or through your insurance provider. Knowing the insurance group will help you better understand the potential cost of insuring the vehicle and allow you to budget accordingly.

Understanding car insurance groups can help you make informed decisions when purchasing or insuring a vehicle. Cars in lower insurance groups tend to have more affordable premiums, while those in higher groups come with higher costs due to increased risk. By choosing a car in a lower insurance group and taking steps to reduce your risk, you can enjoy more affordable car insurance.