Car Insurance Group Checker by Reg:

Use our free tool to verify your car’s insurance group instantly.

A car insurance group check is a free online tool that identifies the ABI-assigned insurance group (1 to 50) for any vehicle in the UK using its registration number.

Insurers and Thatcham Research determine these group ratings and help estimate your insurance premium based on repair costs, performance, and security features.

What Insurance Group Is My Car In?

Find your car’s exact insurance group now, and enter your reg.

✅ Instant results based on official insurer databases

✅ No account or payment required

✅ Group ratings specific to your vehicle, not just model type

Every vehicle registered in the UK is assigned to an insurance group between 1 and 50.

These groups reflect the car’s value, repair complexity, engine output, and safety systems. Lower group numbers usually mean lower premiums.

Your VRN lookup provides a real-time insurance group result, helping you compare quotes, understand risk ratings, and make more informed decisions when buying, renewing, or switching cover.

What are Vehicle Insurance Group Categories?

Insurance groups, also called insurance bands, are risk-based categories UK insurers use to estimate car insurance premiums based on a vehicle’s specifications and repair profile.

Every car registered in the UK is placed into one of 50 insurance group categories, where Group 1 indicates the lowest risk (typically the lowest premiums).

At the same time, Group 50 represents the highest risk (and most expensive to insure).

This classification system is governed by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and supported by data and impact testing from Thatcham Research.

What Determines a Car’s Group?

A vehicle’s group rating is based on measurable risk factors, including:

Cost of repairs: Assessed using standardised crash test protocols
Vehicle value: Including purchase and replacement cost
Performance: Horsepower, top speed, and acceleration
Security features: Factory-fitted immobilisers, alarms, tracking systems
Safety technology: Autonomous braking, lane assist, crash protection systems

Each attribute contributes to the vehicle’s overall risk classification and expected cost to insurers.

For example:

A Group 2 hatchback with high safety scores and basic parts will cost significantly less to insure than
A Group 28E sedan with advanced electronics and higher repair complexity.

These categories give drivers a clearer picture of insurance affordability before purchase and allow for easier model-to-model comparisons.

What’s the Cheapest Car Insurance Group?

In the UK, Group 1 is the cheapest car insurance group.

Vehicles in this group present minimal risk to insurers due to their low market value, modest performance, and economical repair profile.

As a result, they are associated with the lowest premiums available across the group rating scale.

Core characteristics of Group 1 vehicles include:

Small engines (typically 1.0–1.2 litres)
Basic trim specifications without costly enhancements
Low repair complexity, using widely available parts
Factory-fitted safety and anti-theft systems

These models are particularly well-suited to:

Young and new drivers
Budget-conscious motorists
Drivers seeking low overall running costs

Representative examples of Group 1 cars:

Kia Picanto 1.0 1
Hyundai i10 1.0 SE
Fiat Panda 1.0 Pop
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Life
Skoda Citigo 1.0 S

While Group 1 offers the lowest possible starting point for insurance premiums, drivers may find similar affordability in Groups 2 to 5, depending on model variants, mileage, and personal risk profile.

These lower groups often provide a balanced trade-off between cover cost and vehicle utility.

Car Insurance Group Table: Compare Groups 1–50 by Example

All cars registered in the UK are classified into one of 50 insurance groups based on repair costs, parts pricing, safety technology, and performance.

Lower-numbered groups are typically cheaper to insure.

Group letter ratings, like E, A, and U, provide additional context on a vehicle's security equipment relative to industry standards.

Ins Group Range	Typical Car Models	Insurance Group Examples	Group Letter (if available)	Key Characteristics
1-5	Hyundai i10 1.0 SE, Fiat Panda Pop, Kia Picanto	1, 2E, 3, 4, 5	E, A	Low engine size, basic trim, entry-level safety tech
6-10	Toyota Aygo, VW Polo 1.0 TSI, Renault Clio	6, 7, 8E, 9, 10	E, A	Small hatchbacks with moderate upgrades, efficient engines
11-20	Peugeot 208, Mazda 2, Mini Cooper, Prius Hybrid	11, 13, 15E, 18, 20	E, A	Balanced premiums, small SUVs and hybrids, average risk
21-30	Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Alfa Romeo Giulietta	22E, 26, 28, 29, 30	A	Higher prestige, complex repair, above average premiums
31-40	Jaguar XE, Lexus UX, Volvo XC40, Mitsubishi PHEV	32, 34, 36, 38, 40	E, A	Premium mid-sized vehicles, enhanced security, rising costs
41-50	Tesla Model S, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Lotus Evora	45, 47, 48E, 49, 50	E, A	High-performance and luxury vehicles, highest premiums

Group Letter Ratings:

E: Vehicle exceeds standard security criteria (lower insurance costs)
A: Meets standard security requirements
U: Fails to meet minimum standards (may require modifications)
P: Group rating provisional (incomplete data or pending assessment)

How do Motor Insurance Groups Work?

A risk-assessment framework determines car insurance group ratings in the UK.

Each vehicle is scored against a consistent set of cost, safety, and repairability metrics that reflect its likely financial impact on insurers.

Learn more on Drivers Insurance Quotes.

Core criteria used to classify a vehicle into its insurance group:

New purchase price: Vehicles with higher retail values are generally grouped higher due to more expensive potential claims.
Repair economics: The assessment includes the cost, complexity, and time required for standard repairs, as well as the availability of parts.
Performance attributes: Acceleration, top speed, and engine size affect the perceived risk and influence group allocation.
In-built safety systems: Vehicles fitted with driver-assist features like autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control may qualify for lower groupings.
Factory-fitted security features: Models with alarms, immobilisers, or tracking systems are typically placed in lower groups due to reduced theft risk.
Crash resistance: Data from standardised impact tests influences how easily and economically the vehicle can be restored post-collision.

Insurance groups are not static.

When a car receives design updates, new trim levels, or revised technology, its group classification may reflect its updated risk profile.

This ensures the group rating system evolves alongside automotive innovation without requiring repeated explanation of the assigning authority, which has already been contextualised in earlier vectors.

What Do Car Insurance Group Letters Like “E” or “U” Mean?

Car insurance group letters provide more detail beyond the standard group number.

These suffixes reflect how a vehicle’s factory-fitted security systems compare to the minimum benchmark for its group.

They help insurers fine-tune premium assessments and give drivers insight into how their vehicle’s security profile affects insurance classification.

Definitions of common insurance group letters:

E—Exceeds: The vehicle surpasses the expected security threshold for its group. This is common in models with advanced immobilisers or alarms, and it may reduce the premium slightly.
A – Acceptable: Meets group-standard security requirements. There is no rating adjustment.
U – Unacceptable: Does not meet the minimum standard. Insurers may apply surcharges or require additional security.
P – Provisional: Temporary rating due to insufficient or incomplete data. Often applied to new or low-volume models.
D – Derogated: The vehicle may score well in security but poorly in repair cost or parts availability, leading to a higher-than-expected group assignment.

For example, a vehicle classified as Group 20E indicates that it belongs to Group 20 and exceeds the security expectations for that tier.

Conversely, a Group 17U designation may signal higher theft risk, resulting in stricter insurer requirements or higher premiums.

How is Car Insurance Calculated?

Car insurance premiums are calculated using a risk-weighted assessment that combines driver-specific data, vehicle classification metrics, and policy choices.

Each input is processed through actuarial models to estimate claim likelihood and potential cost to the insurer.

Key factors used in car insurance premium calculation:

Driver Age and Experience
Younger drivers (typically under 25) and those with limited driving history face higher premiums due to statistically higher claim incidence.
Location (Postcode Risk Index)
Urban and high-theft areas increase premium rates. Insurers evaluate historical data on accidents and claims at the local level.
Vehicle Usage and Mileage
High annual mileage and business use elevate exposure risk. Under specific policy structures, lower mileage may qualify for reduced premiums.
Driving History and Convictions
Points on your licence, traffic convictions, or past insurance claims will increase premiums. A clean record directly supports lower-cost calculations.
Job Role and Occupational Risk
Certain professions carry elevated risk exposure. Couriers, taxi drivers, and roles involving frequent vehicle use often pay more.
Insurance Group Rating
Cars are grouped from 1 to 50 based on repair costs, performance, safety, and parts availability. Lower group vehicles are generally cheaper to insure.
Vehicle Modifications
Any non-standard alteration, from upgraded alloys to engine tuning, may result in a premium uplift, mainly if it affects safety or theft risk.
Policy Type
Third-party-only coverage is generally the least expensive but offers limited protection. Despite higher base premiums, fully comprehensive policies may provide better value in some scenarios.
No Claims Discount (NCD)
Each claim-free year adds a percentage reduction. After five years of clean driving, NCD discounts can equate to lower premiums.

What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure?

Cars that consistently fall into insurance groups 1 to 5 are considered the cheapest to insure in the UK.

These groups include models with lower purchase prices, minimal repair complexity, and firm safety profiles, all attributes that reduce insurer risk.

Cars Typically Found in the Cheapest Insurance Groups:

Volkswagen Up – Frequently rated in Group 1; compact frame and inexpensive repairs lower its risk score.
Hyundai i10 – Found in Groups 1–2; combines affordability with advanced safety tech.
Skoda Fabia – Commonly grouped between 2 and 4; praised for reliable mechanics and easy maintenance.
Kia Picanto – Falls into Groups 2–3; economical, low emission model with manufacturer-backed longevity.
Ford Ka+ – Rated in Group 2; efficient and ideal for new drivers or city commuters.
Dacia Sandero – Positioned in Group 2, one of the cheapest new cars in the UK market.

Best Suited For:

New or young drivers
City-based motorists
Budget-focused second-car buyers

What Insurance Group are EVs In?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are assigned to UK car insurance groups based on the same 1–50 classification model used for internal combustion engine vehicles.

However, EVs are more frequently found in mid to high-tier groups due to factors unique to electric mobility, particularly component costs and repair complexity.

Why EVs are Often in Higher Groups?

Battery Costs: The lithium-ion battery pack is the most valuable component. Repairs or replacements can significantly raise risk profiles.
Repair Network: EVs often require specialist technicians and equipment, increasing average repair times and labour costs.
Purchase Value: Many EVs enter the market with premium price tags, elevating their overall insurance valuation.
Performance Characteristics: EVs, even in compact classes, deliver high torque and rapid acceleration, attributes insurers weigh when determining risk.

Standard EV Models and Group Assignments

Model	Insurance Group Range
Fiat 500e	14–20
Renault Zoe Iconic R135	13-16
Nissan Leaf (40kWh)	20-25
MG4 EV SE Long Range	21-26
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	46-50

Are There Van and Motorcycle Insurance Groups?

Yes, vans and motorcycles are assigned insurance groups in the UK, but each follows a distinct classification model based on specific risk metrics.

Van Insurance Groups

Van insurance groupings depend primarily on the vehicle's registration year:

Vans registered before 2016: Placed in groups 1–20
Vans registered from 2016 onwards: Categorised in groups 21–50

This bifurcated approach reflects structural changes in risk and performance data evaluation post-2016.

Factors influencing van group ratings include:

Manufacturer list price
Engine size and payload capacity
Security equipment (e.g., alarms, immobilisers)
Cost and complexity of repair
Body type and use classification (e.g., commercial panel van vs crew cab)

The ABI determines group assessments, which are supported by technical data from Thatcham Research.

These assessments apply similar principles to those used for passenger cars but are adapted for commercial-use variables.

Motorcycle Insurance Classifications

Motorcycles are assessed using a separate schema, generally spanning groups 1 to 17, although some insurers extend this to group 22 for higher-risk vehicles.

Group assignment considers:

Engine displacement (cc rating)
Acceleration, top speed, and power-to-weight ratio
Vehicle value and parts cost
Recorded theft data and standard security features

Lower-rated groups typically include 50cc–125cc entry-level motorcycles, while high-performance superbikes occupy the upper groups due to their elevated claim profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Car insurance group ratings are determined by vehicle make and model, not mileage. However, mileage bands influence the overall insurance premium. Higher annual mileage may increase risk, resulting in more expensive policies, even though the group remains static.

Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) is a system that evaluates a car's insurance risk. It’s based on real-world accident data, repair costs, and theft rates. While VRR doesn’t replace insurance group numbers, it works alongside them to help insurers set premiums more accurately.

Not always. Older vehicles may be cheaper to replace but could lack modern safety or anti-theft technologies. This can lead to higher premiums than newer cars in lower insurance groups. For instance, a ten-year-old sedan might cost more to insure than a new compact hybrid.

Comprehensive car insurance typically covers repairs to your own vehicle, regardless of fault. In contrast, third-party and third-party fire and theft policies do not cover personal vehicle damage; they only protect against damage to others or theft/fire scenarios.

Read on Comprehensive Insurance Coverage.

You can check your vehicle’s group by entering the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) into CarVeto’s free insurance group checker. The tool instantly returns your group classification, helping you quickly assess insurability and cost impact.

Access the CarVeto database to Check Vehicle Insurance Status Online.

There is no formal insurance group zero. If you see a vehicle listed in Group 0, it usually means Thatcham Research or the ABI has not yet assigned it a group. This is common with new model launches or less common imports.