What is car insurance group 10?

If your car went on sale in the UK from 1 August 2024 and is part of a brand-new model range then it will be assessed under a new insurance rating system. ➡️ Find out more.

Key takeaways

• Cars are sorted into insurance groups from 1 to 50, with 1 being the cheapest to insure and 50 the most expensive, based on factors like new car value, engine size, and repair costs.

• Insurance group 10 includes models such as the Audi A1, BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer, Citroën C1, and Volkswagen Polo.

• Insurers consider a range of factors when setting premiums, not just what group a car is in, so it’s always good to compare your options.

What is car insurance group 10?

Cars in insurance group 10 are typically small to medium in size, with reliable engines and parts that are easy and inexpensive to replace. Their lower risk profile makes them cheaper for insurers when it comes to claims.

Which cars are in insurance group 10?

When it comes to popular group 10 cars, the list includes a variety of makes and models that appeal to different tastes and needs.

Cars in group 10 include:

• Aixam Crossline

• Audi A1 hatchback

• BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer

• Citroën C1

• Dacia Sandero Hatchback

• Fiat 500

• Fiat Panda

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Focus C-MAX

• Hyundai i10

• Jeep Renegade

• Kia Picanto

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class

• Nissan Micra hatchback

• Peugeot 1007

• Renault Clio

• SEAT Ibiza

• SEAT Leon hatchback

• Suzuki Swift

• Toyota Yaris

• Vauxhall Corsa

• Volkswagen Polo hatchback

💡 Top tip: The trim level of your car and its engine size affect which group your car is in so different versions of the same car model can sit in different groups. Use our free car insurance group checker to find out which group your car is in

Why are cars in group 10 cheaper to insure?

Cars in insurance group 10 usually have engines that are less expensive to repair, and their smaller size often means they cause less damage in the event of an accident.

Additionally, the availability of parts and their overall lower risk of theft play a role in keeping insurance costs down.

What is insurance group 10E and insurance group 10U?

You might see letters after group numbers. These give a bit more information about the vehicle, usually whether the safety or security of the car is better or worse than usual for that make and model. A group 10E car indicates the vehicle’s security requirement is exceeded (hence the ‘E’), which is good news for the insurer and therefore for your car insurance costs.

At the other end of the scale, a ‘U’ label means the vehicle’s security level is unacceptable, making it more likely to be stolen and a ‘D’ label means the safety requirement hasn’t been met.

Are group 10 cars good for young drivers?

Yes, choosing a car in insurance group 10 is a good idea for a young driver as they often struggle to find affordable car insurance.

Group 10 cars come with lower insurance costs, which can help reduce premiums for drivers who lack experience.

To save on car insurance, younger drivers can also add a more experienced second driver to their policy, choose telematics insurance, and try to build a no-claims bonus as quickly as possible.

How do insurance groups affect my car insurance premium?

Car insurance groups help determine how much you pay for car insurance, with lower groups being cheaper and higher groups being more expensive.

The following factors are taken into account when deciding which group a particular make and model falls into:

• Car value

• Repair costs

• Safety features

• Performance

Cars that fall into lower insurance groups are usually less expensive to insure. This is because they are considered to pose a lower risk to insurers regarding the cost of insurance claims.

The Insurance Group Rating system is run by Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation. It gives each car a rating based on a number of factors, such as its repair costs, and safety and security features. The scores Thatcham Research sets are then reviewed by a group rating panel, which is made up of insurance representatives.

What else affects my car insurance premium?

Insurance companies take a range of factors into account when working out the cost of your premium.

You can usually save money by comparing car insurance quotes to find the cheapest deal.

When you generate a quote, the insurer will want to know your age, driving history, occupation, where you live, where you keep your car, and how you plan to use your car (e.g. for commuting or just for social/domestic use).

How many miles you drive in a year, security features and any no-claims bonus you have accrued will also affect your premium.

Which car insurance group will my hybrid or electric car be in?

Hybrid and electric cars are rated in the same way as petrol and diesel models so you’ll find electric and hybrid cars throughout the different groups.

Some small electric cars that are in the lower insurance groups include:

• The Volkswagen E-up is in group 10

• The Smart EQ forfour is in groups 9-11, depending on the version

However, electric cars can be more expensive to repair than petrol and diesel cars, and more likely to be written off if the battery is damaged in an accident, which can push up electric car insurance costs.

See our Electric Car Insurance Index to find out the top 10 cheapest and most expensive electric cars to insure.

📣 Did you know? Electric vehicles are about 25% more expensive to repair than equivalent petrol and diesel models and their repair times can be 14% longer, according to Thatcham Research.

Which car insurance 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.

Which car insurance 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.

Do car insurance groups change over time?

No, the group rating system gives each car a score at launch that never changes. However, the new vehicle risk rating system is different as the scores update regularly to reflect changing market conditions.

Which car insurance group is my car in?

You can quickly find out what insurance group a car is in with our free car insurance group checker.

When you’re buying a new car it’s a good idea to check which insurance group it’s in case the version you’re interested in falls into a higher group than a lower specification model and could therefore have a higher insurance cost.