Car Insurance Groups 1–50 & Vehicle Risk Rating Explained

This article contains links to our car insurance comparison page. If you buy a policy through a partner, Yourprimecar.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not advice about which policy is right for you.

If you have ever compared two similar-looking cars and found one costs far more to insure, the car’s insurance group is often part of the reason. Every car sold new in the UK is rated for insurance risk, and that rating feeds into the quotes you are offered. Here is what insurance groups 1–50 mean, how they are set, what is changing with the new Vehicle Risk Rating system, and how to use all this when choosing your next car.

What is a car insurance group?

Car insurance groups run from 1 to 50. Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. The AA describes the rating as being assigned to each new car model by the Group Rating Panel, which is administered by Thatcham Research, the insurer-funded motor research centre. What Car? notes the panel includes members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Lloyd’s Market Association.

The system dates back to the 1970s. It originally ran from 1 to 20 before being widened to 50 groups, which gave more room to rate different trims and engines within the same model range.

The group is a guide, not a price. Insurers, brokers and comparison sites use it alongside your own details, such as age, where you live and your claims history, to work out a premium. Insurers are not bound to follow the group ratings and can use their own judgement and groupings.

How are insurance groups worked out?

Thatcham assesses a new model before it goes on sale. What Car? says the assessment looks at around 125 factors, which fall into a few main areas:

Price when new. The list price is a guide to what an insurer would pay out if the car were written off.
Parts prices. Thatcham prices a list of 23 commonly damaged parts. Cheaper parts usually mean a lower group.
Repair times. Thatcham runs its own low-speed crash tests (mainly a 15km/h impact) and works out the cost of parts and labour. Long repair times push the group up.
Performance. The manufacturer’s 0–62mph time and top speed are taken into account.
Safety. Cars with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) fitted as standard can get a lower rating.
Security. Features such as high-security locks, alarms, immobilisers and glass etching can help reduce claims costs.
Bumper design. Bumpers that are well aligned and built to lessen the damage from an impact help too.

Repair costs matter more than ever. What Car?, citing ABI figures, reports that insurers paid out £2.9 billion in motor claims in the second quarter of 2024, with repair costs alone totalling £1.9 billion, 28% higher than a year earlier.

Why the same model can sit in different groups

Groups are set per version, not just per model. Auto Express gives the example of a Ford Fiesta: a base Trend with the 94bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is in group 10, while the same car in ST-Line X trim with the 138bhp version of that engine is in group 15. So when you are shopping, check the exact engine and trim, not just the badge.

What do the letters after a group mean?

You will sometimes see a letter after the number, such as 7E or 9D. This is a security rating:

E – exceeds the security requirement for that type of car, so the group is lowered.
A – acceptable level of security.
D – does not meet the security requirement, so the group is raised.
U – unacceptable security. An insurer may insist on upgraded aftermarket security before it will cover the car.
P – provisional, because there was not enough information when the model launched. It is likely to be amended once Thatcham can evaluate the car.
G – grey import. Thatcham only tests cars officially sold in the UK, so it cannot give these a rating.

Auto Express’s example: a group 8 car with excellent security moves down to 7E, while a group 8 car with poor security moves up to 9D.

The new system: Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR)

The 1–50 groups are gradually being replaced by Vehicle Risk Rating, also run by Thatcham Research. According to MoneySuperMarket, VRR applies to brand new model ranges sold in the UK from 1 August 2024. It scores each vehicle from 1 (low risk) to 99 (high risk) in five areas:

Damage – how vulnerable the design is in a collision.
Repair – parts availability, cost and how complex repairs are.
Security – theft prevention, immobilisers and keyless entry.
Safety – active and passive safety systems.
Performance – acceleration, top speed, weight and price.

A few things worth knowing:

Older cars are not affected. If your car’s model range launched before 1 August 2024, it keeps its 1–50 group. There is no retrospective testing.
Some newer cars have both. Model ranges launched during the changeover get a VRR score and a group. MoneySuperMarket says the switch for brand new models is due to be completed in the second half of 2026, after which new models get a VRR score only.
VRR scores can change. Unlike insurance groups, which give a car one score at launch, VRR ratings are updated as things like parts availability and repair costs change.
You cannot look up your VRR yet. MoneySuperMarket says there is currently no way for drivers to find a car’s individual VRR score, though insurers are already using them in quotes for new cars.

Which cars are cheap to insure?

Small, modestly powered cars with cheap parts tend to sit in the lowest groups. What Car? lists the Hyundai i10 (group 2), Kia Picanto (group 3), Volkswagen Polo (group 3), Skoda Fabia (group 4) and Toyota Aygo X (group 5) among low-group cars. Remember that is for specific versions: a more powerful or higher-spec trim can sit several groups higher.

At the other end, What Car? says group 50 includes many luxury and high-performance models, such as the Audi Q7, BMW 7 Series, Range Rover and Mercedes S-Class.

As a rough guide, Auto Express quotes MoneySuperMarket figures showing average annual premiums of about £402 for groups 1–10, rising to about £780 for groups 41–50. Your own price will depend on your age, location, claims and any endorsements.

How to use insurance groups when choosing a car

Check before you buy. Use an insurance group checker with the make, model, year, number of doors, fuel type and transmission. Many car reviews also list the group.
Compare exact versions. A smaller engine or a lower trim can drop a car by several groups.
Look at security and safety kit. Standard AEB and good factory security can lower the rating.
Get quotes on your shortlist. The group is only one factor, so run real quotes on the two or three cars you are considering before you commit.
Combine it with other savings. A low-group car works best alongside the other tips in our guide on how to cut your car insurance.

New to the road? Our guide to car insurance for new drivers explains why choosing a low-group car makes such a difference to a first premium.

FAQ

Is group 1 the cheapest car insurance group?

Yes. Group 1 is the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive, although your own details still have a big effect on the price you pay.

Do insurers have to use insurance groups?

No. Insurers can use the panel’s ratings in their calculations or use their own groupings and judgement.

Will my car’s insurance group change?

Under the 1–50 system a car gets its group at launch. A provisional (P) rating is likely to be amended once Thatcham has evaluated the car. Newer cars rated under VRR can see their scores updated over time.

Has my car switched to Vehicle Risk Rating?

Only if its model range was launched in the UK on or after 1 August 2024. Cars from model ranges launched before then keep their 1–50 group.

Ready to compare?

Once you know which car you are going for, the next step is finding the right cover at the right price. Visit our car insurance comparison page to compare quotes from a range of UK providers.

Sources: The AA – Car insurance groups; What Car? – Car insurance groups and new vehicle risk ratings explained; Auto Express – UK car insurance groups explained; MoneySuperMarket – What are vehicle risk ratings?; Carbuyer – UK car insurance groups explained; Thatcham Research – Vehicle Risk Rating.