Published 2 March 2026
What are car insurance groups and how do they affect insurance premiums?
Understanding UK car insurance groups is essential for calculating insurance premiums. These groups, ranging from 1-50, rate vehicles based on factors like repair costs, performance, and security features. Our in-house experts explain how these classifications help determine what you'll pay to insure your vehicle and why different cars attract different premiums.
Why do different cars sit in different insurance groups?
Cars come in many shapes and sizes, which is why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to car insurance. Different vehicles present varying levels of risk based on factors including age, performance, and repair costs. Lower insurance groups typically mean more affordable premiums, while vehicles presenting higher risks fall into higher groups.
What are car insurance groups?
Car insurance groups are a key factor insurers use when calculating your premium, giving you valuable insight when choosing your next vehicle.
Car insurance groups explained
In September 2024, a new vehicle risk rating system was implemented to provide insurers with more accurate assessments. This system uses a scale from 0 to 99 and evaluates vehicles across five key pillars of risk:
Swipe to view more
|
Old 1-50 groups |
New 0-99 scale |
What it means for drivers |
|
Groups 1-10 |
Scale 0-20 |
Lowest insurance costs, ideal for new drivers |
|
Groups 11-30 |
Scale 21-60 |
Moderate insurance costs, balanced performance |
|
Groups 31-50 |
Scale 61-99 |
Highest insurance costs, high-performance vehicles |
This new rating system will run alongside the original system for 18 months to ensure a smooth transition.
The letters that sometimes appear alongside your car's insurance group number indicate how well its security features measure up to industry standards:
A: The car's security requirements are acceptable for its group.
E: The car's security exceeds the requirements for its group.
P: Provisional rating – incomplete data was available when the model launched.
U: Unacceptable security level that falls significantly below the group's requirements
G: The vehicle is an import.
How to check your insurance group online
You can find your vehicle's insurance group by using an online checker tool. Knowing your car's insurance group can help you make informed decisions about your next vehicle purchase and better understand your premium costs.
How do car insurance groups affect your insurance premium?
Car insurance groups directly affect how much you pay for your insurance. The higher the group number (from 1 to 50), the higher the risk profile of your vehicle, which typically leads to increased premiums. If you're buying a new car and working with a certain budget, insurance groups are a great way to create a shortlist of cars to consider.
For example, if you're a younger driver looking for the most affordable way to get on the road, you'll want to consider vehicles in the lower groups – from 1 to 10. These cars usually have smaller engines, are less powerful, and are easier and cheaper to repair after accidents, helping you maintain your no-claims discount.
Remember that while insurance groups are important, personal factors like your age and occupation also significantly impact your premium costs. Younger drivers and certain professions typically face higher insurance rates regardless of vehicle choice.
Who decides the insurance group of a car?
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA) established the car insurance grouping system. They meet regularly to determine which insurance group new cars should be assigned to, helping insurers accurately assess repair costs across different vehicle types.
How are car insurance groups determined?
Car insurance groups were created to help insurers create fair and accurate premiums for drivers. The Insurance Group Number, which ranges from 1 to 50, helps predict various risk factors associated with different vehicles. In September 2024, a new vehicle risk rating system was also implemented, running from 0 to 99, which will operate alongside the original system for 18 months. Here are some factors affecting the group a car is placed into:
New car value
The showroom price is important to make sure an insurance company sets the right premium for a potential write-off (or total loss) of the vehicle. Cars with greater value typically indicate one of the higher car insurance groups. This valuation helps insurers calculate the maximum potential payout they might face if the vehicle can't be repaired.
Cost of parts and repairs
Insurers will generally try to repair a car (where possible) and the cost of parts for that specific vehicle affects the car insurance group it's placed in. Cheaper parts mean a lower group. The experts at Thatcham Research assess each vehicle to determine how readily available and expensive replacement components are.
Repair times and design
Mechanics' labour is another thing to think about. Certain jobs will take longer on some cars than others because of the vehicle's design. The longer repairs can take, the higher the group. Thatcham's engineers use complex technology to work out both the cost and time required to repair vehicles after collisions.
Safety and security features
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) can monitor the road up to 200m ahead (even in fog and rain) so reduces a vehicle's chances of being in a collision. That's why cars fitted with AEB systems are likely to get a lower insurance group. Similarly, effective security features like immobilisers can improve a car's rating.
Which insurance group is the cheapest?
Cars in Group 1 are the cheapest to insure, typically featuring small engines, low power outputs, and readily available spare parts. These vehicles are designed to be economical and practical, with excellent repair accessibility and lower theft risk. In contrast, cars in Group 50 (the highest tier) can cost up to ten times more to insure due to their expensive parts, complex repairs, and higher accident risk. The difference between these groups demonstrates how significantly your choice of vehicle impacts your insurance premium.
Car insurance group checker: find your car's rating
Finding out your car's insurance group rating is easier than ever with several online tools at your disposal. The group rating directly impacts your insurance premium, so it's worth checking before buying a new vehicle or when comparing insurance quotes.
Most insurers also provide group checking tools as part of their quote process, giving you immediate insight into how your vehicle affects your premium. Additionally, several free online services pull data directly from DVLA records to provide accurate group ratings.
Free online car insurance group checkers include:
- Registration-based tools that instantly identify your car's group using your number plate.
- Insurance group calculator services that show how your car compares to others.
- Vehicle comparison sites that display group ratings alongside other specifications.
- Quote comparison services that include group information with price estimates.
So, before you decide your next car (or first car), remember to take into consideration the car insurance group a car falls into, as this will affect how much you pay for your car insurance.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
