When shopping for car insurance, one of the most important factors that will influence your premiums is the insurance group your car falls into.
Insurance groups range from 1 to 50, with lower groups being cheaper to insure.
Cars in lower insurance groups tend to have smaller engines, lower repair costs, and a lower risk of accidents or theft, which makes them cheaper to insure.
In this post, we’ll explore the concept of insurance groups, why they matter, and list some of the cheapest cars to insure based on their insurance groups.
What is an Insurance Group?
In the UK, every car is assigned an insurance group that helps determine how much you’ll pay for coverage. Insurance groups are set by a system developed by the Group Rating Panel (GRP), which assesses vehicles based on factors like:
- Engine Size: Cars with smaller engines are typically cheaper to insure than those with larger, more powerful engines.
- Vehicle Value: The higher the car’s value, the more expensive it will be to repair or replace in the event of an accident.
- Safety Features: Cars equipped with advanced safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control, are generally cheaper to insure.
- Repair Costs: Cars that are cheaper and easier to repair tend to have lower insurance costs.
- Theft Rates: If a car is commonly targeted by thieves, it will likely be assigned to a higher insurance group.
- Crash Safety: The safer the car is in a collision, the less expensive it is to insure.
Why Does Insurance Group Matter?
The insurance group is crucial because it determines how much you’ll pay for coverage. Cars in higher groups are considered more expensive to repair, have a higher risk of being involved in accidents, or are more likely to be stolen. As a result, insurers charge higher premiums for these vehicles. Conversely, cars in lower insurance groups tend to be cheaper to insure because they are seen as less risky by insurers.
How to Find Cheap Insurance Group Cars
If you’re looking to save on car insurance, choosing a car that falls into a lower insurance group is one of the most effective ways to reduce premiums. While newer or high-performance cars might be more exciting to drive, opting for a vehicle in insurance group 1-10 will help keep costs down. Below, we’ll look at some cars that fall into these lower groups and offer affordable insurance.
Top Cheap Insurance Group Cars
Here’s a list of cars that are in the lower insurance groups and are known for having cheaper insurance premiums:
1. Hyundai i10 (Insurance Group 1)
The Hyundai i10 is a small city car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and low running costs. With its small engine size and simple design, the i10 falls into insurance group 1, making it one of the cheapest cars to insure. It’s ideal for young drivers or anyone looking for an affordable, practical car.
2. Toyota Aygo (Insurance Group 1)
The Toyota Aygo is another great city car that falls into insurance group 1. It has a small engine, excellent fuel economy, and a reputation for reliability. This makes it an attractive option for anyone looking to keep their insurance costs low while still having a car that’s fun to drive.
3. Volkswagen Up! (Insurance Group 1)
The Volkswagen Up! is a compact, stylish, and practical city car. With a small engine and relatively low repair costs, the Up! falls into insurance group 1, making it cheap to insure. It’s perfect for city dwellers or new drivers who want a reliable and affordable car.
4. Kia Picanto (Insurance Group 1)
The Kia Picanto is a small, budget-friendly hatchback that is easy to drive and cheap to insure. It falls into insurance group 1 and offers excellent value for money. The Picanto is perfect for those who want a compact car with modern features, without breaking the bank on insurance.
5. Ford Ka (Insurance Group 2)
The Ford Ka is a compact city car that’s ideal for first-time drivers or those looking for an economical car. It has a low insurance group of 2, making it one of the cheapest options in its class. The Ford Ka is affordable to run, has low maintenance costs, and is fun to drive.
6. Peugeot 108 (Insurance Group 2)
The Peugeot 108 is a stylish and practical city car that also falls into insurance group 2. It shares many of the same features as the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 but offers a unique design and modern technology. With its small engine and low repair costs, the Peugeot 108 is cheap to insure.
7. Citroen C1 (Insurance Group 2)
The Citroen C1 is another small city car that’s affordable to insure. It shares the same platform as the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, which means it benefits from the same low insurance costs. The Citroen C1 is easy to park and maneuver, making it ideal for urban driving.
8. Fiat Panda (Insurance Group 2)
The Fiat Panda is a small, practical car that’s cheap to insure due to its small engine and low repair costs. It falls into insurance group 2 and is known for its durability, ease of use, and excellent fuel economy. The Panda is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable car with a quirky design.
9. Renault Twingo (Insurance Group 3)
The Renault Twingo is a compact, stylish car that falls into insurance group 3. While slightly higher than some of the other options on this list, it’s still relatively affordable to insure. The Twingo is a fun, easy-to-drive city car that’s perfect for navigating busy streets and tight parking spaces.
10. Skoda Citigo (Insurance Group 2)
The Skoda Citigo is a small, reliable, and affordable car that is ideal for new drivers. It has a small engine size, excellent fuel efficiency, and low repair costs, which makes it cheap to insure. The Citigo is an excellent option for anyone who needs a practical car without paying high insurance premiums.
Other Factors That Affect Your Car Insurance
While choosing a car in a lower insurance group is one of the best ways to reduce your premiums, there are other factors that can affect your car insurance costs:
- Your Age: Younger drivers typically face higher premiums, as they’re seen as higher risk by insurers.
- Your Location: The area where you live can affect your insurance costs. If you live in a high-crime area, for example, your premiums may be higher.
- Your Driving History: If you have a clean driving record, you’ll likely pay lower premiums than someone with a history of accidents or traffic violations.
- Vehicle Security: Installing security features like alarms or tracking devices can help lower your insurance costs.
- No Claims Bonus: Building up a no-claims bonus (NCD) can significantly reduce your premiums over time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, choosing a car in a lower insurance group is one of the easiest ways to reduce your premiums. Cars like the Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, and Volkswagen Up! are perfect examples of vehicles that are inexpensive to insure due to their small engines and low repair costs. Additionally, factors like limited mileage, paying annually, and maintaining a good driving history can further help reduce your insurance costs.
