Insurance groups

Cars sit in one of 20 insurance groups; those in the highest groups (typically high-performance models) are the ones most likely to cost insurers the most in insurance claims. Insurers may use the official insurance groups to calculate premiums but, as these groupings are provided as a recommendation only, they may choose to use their own groupings built up by working out claims patterns for the various makes and models of car on their books.

There has also been a move recently to a 50-group system which allows each model of car to be more accurately banded with similar cars; some insurers have already moved over to this 50-group system.

To work out which group your car sits in, the following factors are taken into account:

The cost of replacement parts · How easy the car is to repair
Repair costs and times
The new value of the car (or an equivalent)
Panel availability
The car's performance
Any security features fitted

According to the Association of British Insurers, the cost of motor vehicle repairs accounts for over half of all the money paid out in motor insurance claims, so it's no surprise that repair costs feature strongly in how the groups are defined.

If you're looking to save money on your car insurance, it's worth thinking about how the insurance group your car is in affects your premium. Cars in lower insurance groups attract a lower premium; to find out which group any car sits in, look in our 'Facts & Stats' section.

Click the links below to learn more and save money:

	Types of cover		Insurance groups
	Minimum levels of cover		Cutting the costs
	Calculating your premium		Security
	The big premium deciders		The real world
	Example case studies		Exploding myths
	No claims bonus		In the event of an accident
	Protecting your no claims bonus		Making a claim
	Excesses		When a car is written off