Skip to content

Car insurance group 1

Mehdi Punjwani
Written by  Mehdi Punjwani
Saarrah Mussa
Reviewed by  Saarrah Mussa
5 min read
Updated: 03 Feb 2025

Cars in insurance group 1 are likely to be the cheapest makes and models to insure, so it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for affordable cover. But insurance providers consider other factors too - learn more about car insurance group 1 and what it could mean for your premiums.

Key Takeaways

  • Cars in insurance group 1 are among the cheapest to cover as they are at low risk for theft and accidents, inexpensive to purchase, and cheap to maintain

  • Young drivers and other drivers who face high premiums can benefit from choosing a car in insurance group 1 to manage and reduce insurance costs

  • Electric cars often fall into higher insurance groups as they’re usually more expensive to purchase and repair

Row of different cars parked on street

What is car insurance group 1?

Car insurance group 1 is the lowest insurance group out of all 50, meaning cars in this group are among the safest and least at risk of being involved in a theft or accident. As such, these cars are often the cheapest to insure, though there are a number of other factors that ultimately decide your premiums.

Why are cars in group 1 the cheapest to insure?

Cars that are found in insurance group 1, such as different variants of the Citroen C1, Fiat Panda and Ford Ka Plus, often have small engines, are inexpensive to run and maintain, and have low purchase prices when brand new.

These cars are usually at the lowest risk for being involved in a car accident due to their lower performance specifications. They are also at least risk of being stolen due to their relatively low resale value, making them a good pick for those facing high insurance costs or looking to minimise their expenses.

What cars are in insurance group 1?

To give you a clearer idea of what kind of vehicles are in insurance group 1, here's a list of examples:

  • Citroën C1

  • Fiat Panda

  • Chevrolet Spark

  • Ford Ka Plus

  • Hyundai i10

  • Kia Picanto hatchback

  • Kia Rio

  • Nissan Micra hatchback

  • Seat Mii

  • Skoda Citigo

  • Skoda Fabia hatchback

  • Vauxhall Corsa hatchback

  • Vauxhall Corsa Expression Ecoflex

  • Volkswagen Polo hatchback

  • Volkswagen Fox Urban

These models are known for their cost-effectiveness and are a common sight on the roads, driven by those who value practicality and affordability.

Are cars in insurance group 1 good for young drivers?

Yes, cars in insurance group 1 will be a good option for young drivers who often face higher than average car insurance costs as a result of their perceived higher risk to insurers. These cars are often affordable to buy and maintain, and this can help bring those insurance premiums down.

What group will my electric/hybrid car be in?

Electric and hybrid cars tend to fall into higher insurance groups due to their associated high purchase prices and repair costs - it’s unlikely you’ll see many in group 1 any time soon.

What group will my classic car be in?

Classic car group ratings can vary hugely depending on the make, model and variant, as different cars will have different values, accident and theft risks and repair costs. You should look into your specific model to understand what insurance costs might look like.

What group will my modified car be in?

Some modifications can increase the risk of theft or cost of repairs, while others can improve your car’s safety and security and therefore bring down costs. Some insurers might even request that you upgrade a car’s features before they will insure it - these cars, whichever group they’re in, will have a ‘U’ rating alongside their group number.

Understanding car insurance groups

Car insurance groups are categories that are used to sort various car makes, models and variants so insurers can better understand their risk profiles and appropriate insurance costs. Numbering from 1 to 50, those in group 1 are often cheapest to insure owing to their low associated risks and costs.

How important are insurance groups to overall car insurance costs?

While cars in insurance group 1 are often cheaper to insure than any other, insurers consider a number of details about you, your car and your driving and claims history before setting premiums. For example, they’ll look at your age, location, occupation, history of accidents and whether you’ve made any claims on car insurance policies in the past, as this all contributes to your overall risk profile.

What insurance group is my car in?

If you're curious about where your car falls on this scale, you can quickly find out what insurance group a car is in with our free car insurance group checker.

Looking for car insurance?
Start a quote