Car Insurance Groups Listed & Explained
The make and model of car you drive will influence the price of your car insurance policy.
So, if you're looking to save money on your car insurance premium, it's worth checking car insurance groups to see what group your vehicle is in, understand how these insurance groups are decided, and how the next car you buy will impact on your insurance price.
This buying and selling guide will explain all you need to know.
The Group Rating System
The Group Rating System is administered by Thatcham Research, on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Members of the ABI and Lloyds Market Association (LMA) make up the Group Rating Panel, which meets every month to set new car models to an insurance group.
There are 50 different car insurance groups - those in insurance group No.1 are the cheapest cars to insure while those in insurance group 50 are the most expensive.
The number of insurance groups has changed in recent years. Until 2009, the number of car insurance groups were 1-20 but this has been expanded - this means, according to Thatcham, that 'each model of car can be more accurately banded with cars of similar characteristics and therefore create a more precise Group Rating System'.
Car insurance group rating factors
The Group Rating Panel considers a range of factors when establishing UK car insurance groups.
Car insurance groups list
As stated by Thatcham, the affecting factors include the following:
Damage and parts costs
The costs of the parts if any repairs are needed to a car, and the likely extent of damage; lower costs will contribute to a lower group rating.
Repair times
Types of cars that need longer repair times typically incur higher costs and will therefore be placed in a higher group rating.
New car values
The more expensive the car as new, the higher the cost of replacement or repair, and the higher the position it will hold in the car insurance groups list.
Parts prices
The Group Rating Panel studies a list of 23 common parts to 'compare one manufacturer's parts costs to another'. Lower costs likely mean a lower group rating.
Performance of the car
Expect high performance cars - those with higher speeds and quick acceleration - to be towards the top of the car insurance groups table.
Car safety
Cars with improved safety systems, such as an Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system - are judged to be less likely to be involved in certain types of accident and so the insurance rating will be lower.
Bumper compatibility
The structure and alignment of bumpers at the front and rear of a vehicle play an important part in protecting against damage in the event of collisions and accidents. Cars with bumpers that 'meet the insurer's criteria' can receive lower insurance ratings.
Car security
Cars with fitted security devices - including alarm systems, immobilisers and clearly visible VIN numbers - can all help to reduce insurance claims costs and contribute to lower car insurance groups. Find out ore about how to stop car thieves.
Car insurance groups list table
In the UK, car insurance groups range from 1 to 50, with lower numbers typically indicating cheaper insurance premiums.
Here is a table explaining the difference in the groupings:
| Car insurance group | Type of car |
|---|---|
| 1-10 | Cheapest and least powerful cars |
| 11-20 | Standard family cars |
| 21-30 | Larger, more premium versions of the cars in previous groups |
| 31-40 | High performance cars with upgrades |
| 41-50 | Sports and luxury vehicles |
RAC Online Car Insurance
Save on your car insurance with our online self-serve policy.
Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.
What types of cars are the cheapest to insure?
The cheapest types of cars to insure - and those that are included in the lower positions in the car insurance groups list - are usually models with smaller engines, low specifications and relatively inexpensive to buy from new.
Models that are usually included in the lower car insurance groups are Hyundai i10, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, Kia Picanto, and Toyota Aygo X.
Find out more about the cheapest cars to insure in our guide.
- How to reduce new-driver car insurance costs
- How to save money as a driver
- What is an insurance write-off?
Car insurance group checker
If you are looking at new cars to buy it's always useful to know which of the insurance groups a particular model belongs to.
Use the My Vehicle Search Thatcham Research tool to check car insurance groups for any model.
ABCs of car insurance explained
Different car insurance groups can be put into different categories. This is how insurers can estimate the risk and cost of insuring different makes and models of cars. Here is what they mean:
- A for Acceptable
- D for Doesn't meet requirements
- E for Exceeds requirements
- P for Provisional and needs an update before approval
- U for Unacceptable
- G for Grey import (approval is down to the insurer)
Car insurance groups FAQs
The cheapest types of cars to insure are in lower car insurance groups. They are usually models with smaller engines, low specifications and relatively inexpensive to buy from new.
Models that are usually included in the lower car insurance groups are Volkswagen Caddy MPV, Fiat 500, Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio, and SEAT Arona.
Find out more about the cheapest cars to insure in our guide.
There are 50 UK car insurance groups, with those in group 1 the cheapest cars to ensure and those in group 50 the most expensive.
Car insurance groups work by looking at a number of factors about a particular make and model of car and then placing it in a group. The number of the group should be reflected, in some way, by the price of car insurance.
Older cars are not always cheaper to insure. Newer vehicles have better security and technology, making them safer to drive and harder to steal, so they can work out cheaper.
Car insurance groups are sometimes known as Thatcham insurance groups, because Thatcham Research administer the insurance Group Rating System.
Thatcham Research is the company that provides most of the data and information to define a car’s insurance group. It’s Thatcham Research that administers the Group Rating system on behalf of the ABI - the Association of British Insurers.
Group No.1 is the cheapest of the car insurance groups, however this is just one factor an insurer may use to underwrite a car insurance policy, so it doesn’t automatically mean a Group 1 car will get you the cheapest premium.
Thatcham Research has a useful car insurance group checker. Simply register for the ‘My Vehicle’ service, provide a few details - type of vehicle, manufacturer, model, range, body style and fuel type - and the group rating of your car will be revealed.
Car insurance group 1 is the cheapest of the car insurance groups - therefore you can expect to pay a lower amount than all other groups.
When it comes to car insurance, category E refers to a car that has been placed in a lower insurance group because it exceeds the requirements of its previous group.
Car insurance groups are a classification system used by insurers to assess the risk and cost of insuring a vehicle. In the UK, cars are placed into groups from 1 to 50 based on factors like performance, safety features, and value. Lower group numbers typically indicate cheaper insurance premiums, while higher groups suggest more expensive coverage due to increased risk or repair costs.
The cheapest car insurance group is Group 1. Vehicles in this group are usually small, economical, and inexpensive to repair. This makes them ideal for new drivers or those seeking low premiums. Group 1 cars often have modest engine sizes, strong safety ratings, and low market values.
NCB, or No Claims Bonus, is a discount awarded to drivers who haven’t made any insurance claims during their policy term. The longer you go without claiming, the higher your NCB will be. It rewards safe driving and responsible behaviour. Most insurers allow you to transfer your NCB between providers, and some offer protection to keep your discount even after a claim.
Yes, car repairs can impact the cost of your car insurance.
Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
• Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
You might also like
The top 10 cheapest cars to insure right now and why
Here’s the 10 cheapest cars to insure in the UK in 2019 as well as our guide to what factors can influence your premium.
How to reduce new-driver car insurance costs
For new drivers, your first car insurance policy can be expensive. To help the RAC have compiled a guide for ways new drivers can reduce their costs.
11 things to keep you protected with your car insurance company
Avoid these mistakes or risk invalidating your car insurance. Here's a list of 11 tips to ensure you protected and are not taking any risks.
Changes to insurance write off categories - should you ever buy a write off?
A ‘write-off’ is how insurance companies describe cars too badly damaged to repair. From 1 October 2017, write-off classification will change.
Car insurance scams and frauds
Car insurance fraud comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from deliberately hiding penalty points to ‘crash for cash’ and ‘flash for crash’ scams.
Car registration years – the complete number plate guide
Are you unsure how old a vehicle is? Well, there is an easy way to tell when you look at most vehicles. This is though the digits displayed on a number plate.
Driving without insurance – here are the consequences
There’s no excuse for driving without valid car insurance – because it’s illegal. Here’s our guide to the law and punishments for driving without insurance.
Do caravans need an MOT? Everything you need to know
Just like cars, vans, and motorbikes, ensuring your caravan is legal and roadworthy is important. Do they need an annual MOT? Or require regular servicing?
How to check MOT history
An MOT – the Ministry of Transport Test – is an annual requirement for most used cars to see if the vehicle is legal and roadworthy. Read more on RAC Drive.
RAC Pothole Index – statistics and data for UK roads
The latest pothole data, statistics and growth projections. Find everything you need to know about potholes with research and stats from the RAC.
Popular in Advice & Guides
1
Are headlights too bright? Everything you need to know about headlight glare
2
Lost driving licence – how to get a replacement
3
Car dashboard symbols and meanings – warning lights guide
4
What to do if your car breaks down
5
A complete guide to motorbike tax
6
How to check MOT history
7
MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
8
Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers 2025 - Top 10
9
Euro 7 emissions standard: what is it and when does it come into effect?
10