What Insurance Group Is My Car? Your Guide to Understanding Car Insurance Groups

Ever wondered why your neighbour pays less for their car insurance, even though their car seems similar to yours? Or why does that stylish sports car come with such a hefty insurance bill? Usually, the answer lies in something called car insurance groups.

At TheComparisonExpert.com, we're dedicated to helping you understand insurance details to make smarter choices and save money. Knowing your car's insurance group is a great place to start.

What Exactly Are Car Insurance Groups?

In the UK, every car model and variant is assigned to an insurance group, ranging from 1 (cheapest to insure) to 50 (most expensive). This system helps insurers assess the risk posed by a vehicle and decide how much to charge for a policy.

It's not just about the make and model; different trims or engine sizes of the same car can fall into various groups. For example, a basic 1.0L hatchback is likely in a lower group than a high-performance 2.0L turbo version.

Who Decides My Car's Insurance Group?

Car insurance groups are determined by the Group Rating Panel, managed by Thatcham Research in partnership with the Association of British Insurers (ABI). They thoroughly assess new vehicles across multiple criteria to assign the appropriate group.

What Factors Influence a Car's Insurance Group?

Thatcham Research considers several key factors when assigning a car to an insurance group:

• Cost of New Parts: Expensive or hard-to-source parts mean higher repair costs, raising the group.
• Repair Time & Complexity: Cars that are quicker and easier to repair usually fall into lower groups.
• Vehicle Performance: Cars with powerful engines, high top speeds, and rapid acceleration are more likely to be involved in high-speed accidents, resulting in higher claims.
• Car Value (New): The price of a new car indicates how much it would cost to replace it if written off.
• Safety & Security Features: Advanced safety features (like autonomous emergency braking) and robust security (such as immobilisers and alarms) can help lower the group.
• Bumper Compatibility: How well a car's bumpers align can reduce the cost of low-speed accident repairs, potentially resulting in a lower group.

Decoding the Letters: E, A, D, U, P, G

You might also notice a letter after your car's insurance group number. These letters provide extra information about the car's security features:

• A (Acceptable): The car meets the standard security requirements for its group.
• E (Exceeds): The car's security features are better than standard for its group, which might lower its insurance group.
• D (Derogated): The car does not meet the standard security requirements, so its group may have been increased, making insurance more expensive.
• U (Unacceptable): The security level is below par. Insurers may still offer cover but might require upgraded security.
• P (Provisional): A temporary rating, usually for new models lacking full data.
• G (Grey Import): The car has been imported, and Thatcham Research does not officially test these vehicles, so insurers assess them differently.

How Does Your Car's Insurance Group Affect Your Premium?

Simply put: the lower the number, the cheaper your insurance is likely to be. However, the insurance group is just one factor among many. Other key considerations include:

• Your age and driving experience: Younger, less experienced drivers generally face higher premiums.
• Your address: Areas with higher crime or accident rates can increase costs.
• Your occupation: Some jobs are considered riskier than others.
• Your annual mileage: The more you drive, the higher the risk.
• Claims history and No Claims Discount (NCD): A clean record and strong NCD can significantly reduce costs.
• Parking arrangements: Garaged or off-road parking is usually safer and may lower your premium.

How Can You Find Out Your Car's Insurance Group?

The simplest way is to use an online checker available on comparison websites or directly from Thatcham Research. Enter your car's registration number to get the group instantly. Knowing your car's insurance group is especially helpful when shopping for a new or used car. Choosing a vehicle in a lower insurance group is one of the easiest ways to keep your annual insurance costs manageable.