What You Need to Know About Car Insurance Groups

Car insurance groups are used by insurers in the UK to decide how much to charge for an insurance policy. Each car model is placed into an insurance group, and this classification plays a major role in determining premiums. In this guide, we explain what insurance groups are, how they are set, and why they matter if you’re buying or leasing a car.

The Basics of Car Insurance Groups

When calculating insurance premiums, providers look at several factors—including the insurance group of the vehicle. Every new car model is assigned a group rating by the Group Rating Panel.

• The system runs from Group 1 (cheapest to insure) to Group 50 (most expensive).
• Cars in lower groups are usually smaller, more affordable models with good safety ratings.
• Cars in higher groups tend to be high-performance or luxury vehicles that are more expensive to repair.

Most insurers use the Panel’s group ratings to inform their calculations, though some may apply their own internal methods.

How Insurance Groups Are Determined

The Group Rating Panel is made up of members from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Lloyd’s Market Association. The process is overseen by Thatcham Research, which assesses each vehicle against key criteria:

• Security – The effectiveness of factory-fitted systems such as immobilisers and alarms in preventing theft.
• Repairability – How easy and cost-effective it is to repair after an accident, including time required and availability of skilled labour.
• Parts availability – The cost, sourcing, and supply speed of replacement parts.
• Occupant protection – The performance of safety equipment such as airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and crash test results.

The combined results of these tests influence the group rating assigned to each make and model.

Where Do Electric Cars Fit?

Electric cars (EVs) are assessed differently to petrol or diesel vehicles. Instead of engine size, insurers consider:

• Battery capacity and replacement cost
• Electric motor power output
• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
• Repair complexity, particularly for high-voltage systems

Although EVs sometimes cost more to repair due to specialised parts, many models still fall into lower insurance groups (around Group 6 or below) compared to their fuel-powered equivalents. This often makes them a cost-effective choice for drivers hoping to reduce insurance expenses.

How to Check Your Car’s Insurance Group

If you want to know the insurance group of your current or potential new car, you can use the official Thatcham Research car insurance group checker. Simply input the make and model to see its assigned group.

Tips for Reducing Car Insurance Costs

Regardless of your car’s group, there are several ways to keep premiums down:

1. Choose a car with a smaller engine size – Usually cheaper to insure and more economical to run.
2. Pick a model with strong safety ratings – Safer vehicles often result in lower premiums.
3. Avoid costly modifications – Customisation can increase risk and raise insurance costs.
4. Compare quotes – Always shop around before committing to a policy.
5. Adjust your voluntary excess – Setting a higher excess can reduce your monthly or annual premium.