UK Car Insurance Groups Explained       

Car insurance groups might just make or break your decision to buy a car. Without knowing about them, you may find yourself over budget and confused about how you got there. We see it printed all over the internet but with no explanation and frequently we ask ourselves – how do car insurance groups work?  Let’s answer this question and others so you are clear and confident in your next car model buying decision!

What are Car Insurance Groups?

A car insurance premium group is one of the many ways insurers decide how much insurance premium you must pay for your vehicle. Every vehicle registered within the UK belongs to insurance companies depending on a range of factors about the car, including:

• The cost of the car and its parts
• The power of the engine
• The safety and security features of the car

There are fifty insurance groups and all cars fit into one of these depending on how it is rated by independent research groups. Typically, the higher the insurance group, the more you will need to pay. You can lower your insurance group by choosing to drive a vehicle that is, for example, cheaper to repair or has a less powerful engine.

How Many Car Insurance Groups are There?

There used to be twenty car insurance groups, but as cars and their engines became more intricate and elaborate, the number of insurance groups increased to fifty. This was to more accurately classify every car registered within the UK. To find out which car insurance group your car is in, click here.

At car insurance group 50, you will find very powerful and luxurious cars with far higher insurance premiums. In group 1, you will find the opposite type of cars (typically with low specifications). As for electric cars, they still fall within the same 1-50 ranking system, but it is best for you to speak to an insurer about the details of where each lies.

How Many Car Insurance Groups are There for First-time Drivers?

First-time drivers may be overwhelmed when it comes to car insurance. As a general rule, there are up to 50 car insurance groups for first-time drivers to choose from. The group your car falls into is dependent on a range of variables such as the engine size, safety rating, and the cost of repairing the vehicle, among others. It's important for first-time drivers to research and compare insurance rates from different providers to make informed decisions when choosing car insurance. It is also essential for young drivers to practice safe habits behind the wheel, as this can lead to reduced premiums and better coverage policies over time.

Which Insurance Group is the Cheapest?

While a lower car insurance group means a cheaper insurance premium, it's merely one factor in determining your final insurance premium for your car. Insurers also consider things like:

• Your age – Young drivers are more likely to crash due to inexperience.
• Your history of driving – if you have previous claims your insurance could increase.
• The value of your vehicle – expensive vehicles are more expensive to repair.
• Your occupation – taxi and delivery drivers may face higher premiums due to them being on the road more often (therefore at more of a risk to crash)
• Address – living or parking in an area prone to vandalism and theft may increase the premium, or even simply places with a higher population may also increase this.

“My Car is Group 12…What Does Insurance Group 12 Mean?”

If, for example, you find that you are in insurance group 12 then the first question your going to be asking is, 'what does insurance group 12 mean?', then you can make note of a few things. Firstly, you are on the lower end of the insurance group spectrum, meaning you will be paying a relatively low insurance premium. This is because vehicles in group 12 have good safety and cheap repair costs, but one of the reasons your vehicle is not in a lower group is because of the power of its engine.

Cars in insurance group 12 are typically one of the lowest paid insurance premiums for those who want to transport families in a nippy car. The Vauxhall Corsa and small SUVs like the Suzuki Ignis can be found here.

How Can I Make My Insurance Cheaper?

If you can’t change cars, you can’t change insurance groups. However, you might be able to lower your insurance premium by doing a few things like using a black box, adding a named driver, or possibly paying a reduced annual insurance fee.