Mon to Fri: – | Sat: –
Many people think car insurance is calculated solely on how ‘safe’ a driver you are – based on how many years you’ve been driving and if you’ve previously had accidents.
And while it’s true that insurers take these into account when deciding premiums, they’ll also consider your car’s insurance group.
In this guide, Select Car Leasing explains what car insurance groups are and how they can affect your premiums.
Rated 4.9 out of 5 - 46,499 reviews
Leasing all leading makes and models
Industry leading competitive rates
Insurance groups rank cars by how much they cost to insure.
They’re based on factors that influence the risk to the insurer, such as the car’s value and potential repair costs and any built-in safety features.
Groups range from 1 to 50 — with Group 1 being the cheapest cars to insure and Group 50 being the most expensive.
Insurers use these groups — alongside how they perceive you as a driver — to inform the cost of your insurance premiums.
The letters in car insurance groups refer to the number of security features the vehicle has and how theft-resistant it is deemed.
E – The car has surpassed all security requirements and, as a result, has been assigned to a lower insurance group, making it more affordable to insure.
A – The car fully meets all security requirements.
D – The car meets some, but not all, security requirements. Consequently, it has been placed in a higher insurance group.
P – Security data for this car is provisional. This is usually because security system checks were incomplete when the car was launched, a situation commonly seen with older vehicles.
U – The car currently does not meet acceptable security standards. Insurers may still offer coverage but may require additional security features to comply with regulations.
G – The car is an import, and no security data is available.
Below, we look at what you can expect from cars in different insurance groups:
Group Category | Characteristics |
| Groups 1-10 | These are the most affordable cars to insure – typically with smaller engines and more widely available parts. |
| Groups 11-20 | Typically include mid-sized or family cars, placed in slightly higher groups due to their larger size and weight and engine size. |
| Groups 21-30 | Include more accessible premium cars with more powerful engines and higher repair costs. |
| Groups 31-40 | High-end cars deemed riskier to insurers due to their value. |
| Groups 41-50 | The most expensive cars to insure. These groups include premium vehicles from the most desirable manufacturers. |
It’s important to note that each of the 50 insurance categories has its own unique characteristics, and the groupings above are designed to provide general advice.
The same make and model of vehicle can also appear in different insurance groups, depending on factors like the year of manufacture, the powertrain, and the safety equipment fitted.
The main benefit of buying or leasing a car in a lower insurance group is the more affordable premiums.
This can often make them attractive to younger drivers – as well as those simply looking for affordable motoring. Cars in the lowest insurance groups include small urban hatchbacks like the Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto and the Volkswagen Polo.
Car insurance groups are also based on how ‘safe’ they’re perceived by the insurer. So, opting for a model in a lower group can give drivers greater peace of mind on the road.
Models in lower car insurance groups may also be quicker and more affordable to repair if the worst happens.
The Vauxhall Corsa is a popular car with widely available parts and low repair costs, making it cheaper to insure than other models at a similar price point.
The 1-litre Hyundai i10’s smaller engine size keeps insurance premiums modest while remaining a practical city car.
The stylish Renault Clio sits in some of the lowest insurance groups possible, particularly models with a modestly-powered 1.0-litre petrol engine.
The long-running Polo is the smallest car in the VW range but shares much in common with its bigger brother, the Volkswagen Golf.
You’ve just passed your test, you can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a new car, and you’re now the go-to person for lifts from friends. But what sort of lease car will keep you smiling for months on end?
With car leasing, you’ll need fully comprehensive insurance to protect you and others. Read our complete guide to how insurance and car leasing works and make sure you get the right answers to this important question.
Before you lease, we need to do a number of checks to ensure you're in a good position to do so. One of these is the ever-looming credit check, but if you don't have the best credit, there are still ways to get your dream lease...
Yes, a car can change insurance groups over time. This is because a car’s grouping is based on how safe or risky it is deemed to insure by the provider.
So, if a vehicle’s value, repair costs, safety features and more, change over time, it may move into a higher or lower insurance group to reflect its current risk level.
Yes, the same model and make of car can be in different insurance groups if the price and specs are different.
For example, a regular MINI hatchback in its most affordable form will be in a lower insurance group than a sportier and more powerful Cooper S or John Cooper Works variant.
Although electric cars enjoy cheaper road tax based on their lack of emissions, they don’t necessarily have lower insurance premiums.
This is because electric cars are typically newer and more expensive to produce – meaning they’re riskier for insurers in terms of repair and replacement costs.
For example, a brand-new Fiat 500 in its smallest 1.0l engine configuration sits in a lower insurance group compared with its Fiat 500e electric counterpart.
