What is car insurance group 12?

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.

• Group 12 includes popular models such as the BMW 1-Series hatchback, Citroën C3, Hyundai i10 hatchback and Ford Fiesta.

• 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 12?

In the UK, each car model is placed into one of 50 car insurance groups – with group 1 being the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive - based on factors like new car value, engine size, and repair costs.

Group 12 sits in the lower range of the UK’s 1 to 50 car insurance scale, meaning vehicles in this group are considered lower risk. They’re generally affordable to insure, with reasonable repair costs and good safety features, making them a popular choice for cost-conscious or younger drivers.

Which cars are in car insurance group 12?

Here are some specific makes, models and trims that are in insurance group 12.

How are cars assigned to insurance groups?

The group rating system is run by Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation. It sets the requirements for the groups, tests vehicles, and collects all the data to see which group each car fits into.

Factors that are used to help calculate a car’s insurance group include:

• Car value – pricier cars usually cost more to insure

• Repair costs – cheaper, quicker repairs mean lower ratings

• Parts prices – easily available, low-cost parts reduce premiums

• Performance – faster, high-powered cars fall into higher groups

• Safety technology – features like automatic braking or lane assist can lower the rating.

• Security features – alarms, immobilisers, and trackers help reduce risk

💡 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 our free car insurance group checker to find out which group your car is in

What’s the average insurance cost for a group 12 car?

According to MoneySuperMarket data, the average annual cost of car insurance for a vehicle in insurance groups 11-20 is £499.99^{^} for comprehensive cover.

While a car’s insurance group affects how much you’ll pay for cover, other factors also play a major role in calculating your final premium, including:

• Your age, driving experience, and claims history, as younger or less experienced drivers typically face higher costs

• Your postcode as living in an area with higher traffic, accident rates, or vehicle crime can increase premiums.

• Your annual mileage

• Your job title

• The type of cover you take out

Is a group 12 car cheap or expensive to insure?

Insurance premiums for cars in insurance group 12 are towards the lower end of the scale. Costs are higher than for groups 1–10 (an average of £499.99^{^} ) but cheaper than cars in higher groups. Average costs for cars in the 21-30 group are £552.82^{^} for example.

Typically, car insurance policies for group 12 vehicles are moderately priced. This makes them a feasible option for many drivers.

Who is car insurance group 12 suitable for?

Cars in insurance group 12 offer a sweet spot for most drivers – practical, comfortable, and reasonably priced to insure.

Additionally, drivers who typically face high premiums – such as young drivers or those with driving convictions – may be able to reduce their insurance costs by opting for a car in a lower insurance group like 12, although the cheapest premiums are in group 1.

What is car insurance group 12E and insurance group 12U?

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 12E 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.

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.

How can I get cheaper insurance for my group 12 car?

There are several ways you can find cheaper insurance for your group 12 car. These include:

• Increase your voluntary excess

• Add a named driver

• Boost your car’s security

• Pay annually, not monthly

• Park off-road and in a locked garage

• Build your no-claims bonus

• Limit mileage if possible

You should always compare quotes from different insurers when buying car insurance.