Insurance groups help separate cars into different groups based on factors like engine size and emissions. Depending on which band you end up in, your insurance will be similar to other cars in the same group as you. However, if your car is in one group and you’re interested in a car in a different group, be aware that the insurance rates could differ massively. A car that is seen as more likely to cause collisions (one with a poor safety rating or history of crashes) will be placed in a group with similar cars and will likely have a high insurance cost.
There are ten different insurance groups ranging from 1-50. As the number increases, as does the cost of car insurance. So, if you’re looking for a car with cheap insurance, we’d recommend going with a model that features in the first few insurance bands. Let’s take a look at each group and the type of car you will usually find in each.
These are the cheapest to insure and tend to be small models that are super safe. If you are a young driver, a group 1 insurance car is a great option, with it being cheap to run and insure. A group 1 car will on average cost you £689 a year, and cars you could find in this group include:
These groups, along with group 1, tend to be small in both car and engine size and are hugely popular, making potential repairs easy. If you are a new driver, it’s best to opt for a car in this insurance bracket, as your insurance premiums will already be sky-high! This is something that we’ve covered in a separate piece, ‘why is car insurance so expensive?’
Cars in groups 2-4 still have small engines, with cars like:
These are still some of the cheapest cars to insure but have slightly more power than cars in the lower groups, which contributes to their position here. Some cars you would find in this list are:
If you are looking for a higher-performing car without massive insurance premiums, this area is perfect for you. Cars in these group have larger engines, and are more premium than those in lower groups. Here’s some of the best picks.
This is where car insurance starts getting pretty expensive. If you have plenty of free cash to spare, you can bag yourself a:
Cars like Audi and Land Rover are often in this bracket. They’re known to be more expensive to insure than your average model. Some of the most popular cars in this range include:
These cars are towards the elite end of driving. Large models with expensive parts not only make these expensive to repair but also more likely to be stolen. These are two big issues for insurance companies, and the threat of them leads to higher insurance rates.
Some models in these groups are:
These top-level cars are the best you can buy. As you can expect, insurance premiums match this level. If you can afford to buy one of these cars, though, a higher insurance rate isn’t probably an issue to consider. Let’s have a look at what you could expect in this range.
There are plenty of free online checkers ready to help you see what insurance group your car is in. Each one will require information about the car, usually things like:
From here you can find out which insurance group your car falls in. Some of the best online sources for a car insurance group check are:
Got your ideal car in mind now? Ready to take the next step? Instead of paying upfront, why not split the cost of your new wheels into affordable payments, helping you save in the short term. Apply for car finance and receive a decision the same day.