Car Insurance
Our team are dedicated to finding each and every customer the perfect car insurance policy.
The result is that however big or small the journey, you undertake it secure in the knowledge that you and your family are covered.
Whatever the make or model, we will find a price and policy that’s right by scouring the leading UK insurers.
We’ll make sure you’re up to speed with what your policy covers and be here when you need us.
- Up to 36 months Gap Insurance cover
- 24-Hour Breakdown and legal expenses cover
- Key care cover
What are car insurance groups?
Every vehicle is categorized into one of 50 insurance groups, aiding insurers in determining premium pricing. Cars that are compact, affordable, and have low engine power fall into the lower insurance groups. Conversely, pricier, rare, or high-performance vehicles are deemed higher risk and are placed in higher insurance groups.
Insurers consider various factors, including your address and driving history, when calculating insurance quotes. Premium rates aren't solely determined by the insurance group.
If you're interested in purchasing a cost-effective insurance policy, it's advisable to consult the car's insurance group rating before making your purchase decision.
What do insurance groups mean?
In general, the higher the car insurance group, the higher your insurance premiums will be, while lower groups tend to be more affordable to insure.
Insurers take into consideration your car's insurance group, your driving history, the security of where you keep your vehicle, and your annual mileage when calculating your insurance quote.
It's important to note that each insurer assesses these risk factors differently, which is why insurance premiums can vary among providers.
Therefore, it's a wise practice to compare car insurance options before making a purchase to ensure you have a clear understanding of what your premium will entail.
Common cars and their insurance groups
Insurance groups, vehicle make and models
0-5 Fiat Panda Active, Citroen C1, Skoda Fabia Classic, Toyota Aygo, Ford KA, Vauxhall Corsa
6-10 Chevrolet Matiz, Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, Mazda 2
11-15 Audi A2, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Cee'd, Mitsubishi Colt
16-20 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Audi A1, Citroen C4, Ford C-Max, BMW 116
21-25 Audi A3, BMW, 118, Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Renault Megane
26-30 Audi A5, BMW X1, Ford Escort, Landrover Defender, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Volkswagen Golf
31-35 Audi A6, Mazda MX-5, Mercedes-Benz CLK, Skoda Octavia, Vauxhall Vectra, Volvo C70
36-40 Mitsubishi Shogun, Peugeot 308 Hatchback, Volkswagen Golf Hatchback, MG ZT Saloon, Volvo S60
41-45 BMW Z4 Roadster, Land Rover Discovery, Porsche Cayman, Subaru Impreza Saloon, Honda Legend Saloon
46-50 Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi TT Roadster, Ford Mustang, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Porsche Boxster
Why it's worth knowing a cars insurance group
If you typically focus solely on comparing insurance policies and don't check the car's insurance group, it's a practice worth considering.
The car's insurance group rating provides valuable insights into the safety and repair costs associated with a specific model. This information is particularly useful when comparing two different car models.
Additionally, it's essential to compare car insurance premiums to understand the overall cost involved.
Regardless of your driving history or the insurance group of a car, there are always steps you can take to minimize your car insurance expenses.
How are car insurance groups decided?
The Group Rating Panel, composed of representatives from the insurance industry, convenes regularly to determine the insurance groups for various vehicles.
They rely on data provided by Thatcham Research to identify which car models are likely to result in higher insurance claims costs for insurers.
Each car model is assigned a number on a scale of one to 50. Generally, high-performance cars tend to occupy the higher end of the scale, while more economical vehicles are placed lower because they are perceived as less risky by insurers.
However, the assignment of insurance groups isn't solely based on a vehicle's price; numerous factors come into play. Here's a brief overview of the considerations they take into account:
1. Cost of repairs
When Thatcham provides guidance to the panel, they assess the cost of restoring a car to its pre-accident condition after a 15 km/h crash impact. The panel considers both the expenses associated with parts and labor and the time required to complete the car's repair.
2. Vehicle Performance
A car model's performance characteristics, such as its 0-60 mph acceleration time and top speed, play a significant role in determining its insurance group. Generally, vehicles with greater power and performance tend to be classified into higher insurance groups.
3. Security
Cars that are more susceptible to break-ins or theft are often categorized into higher insurance groups. The security and vulnerability of a vehicle to theft are key factors considered when assigning it to an insurance group.
4. How safe it is
Indeed, it's not only about the potential damage to the vehicle itself but also the potential harm it might cause to others in the event of an accident. Therefore, the panel also takes into account a car's safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking, when determining its insurance group. Vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies that can reduce the risk of accidents or mitigate their severity may receive more favorable insurance group ratings.
5. New car value
Cars with a higher price and more advanced specifications often provide an indication of potentially higher replacement and repair costs. This is because the cost of sourcing parts and conducting repairs for such vehicles is typically greater, which can influence their insurance group rating.
6. Bumper compatibility
Cars with a higher price and more advanced specifications often provide an indication of potentially higher replacement and repair costs. This is because the cost of sourcing parts and conducting repairs for such vehicles is typically greater, which can influence their insurance group rating.
7. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
A recent advancement in car safety involves the vehicle actively monitoring the road ahead and autonomously applying the brakes if the driver doesn't react when there's a potential collision risk. Cars equipped with this feature are typically categorized into lower insurance groups compared to those without it. This reflects the added safety and reduced risk of accidents associated with such technology.