What is Car Insurance Group 13?

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 13 insurance cars include family models like the Skoda Scala and Ford Focus, as well as smaller city cars like the Mazda 2 and Renault Clio

• 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 13?

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.

Vehicles in group 13 generally have moderately sized engines under 2.0 litres, and parts are often readily available contributing to reasonable repair costs. This makes them relatively affordable to insure compared to higher groups.

While group 13 cars are relatively affordable to insure, younger drivers or those with driving convictions might still face higher premiums. Opting for a car in a lower insurance group could potentially reduce insurance costs further.

Which cars are in car insurance group 13?

Here are some specific makes, models, trims and registration years of cars that are in insurance group 13.

💡 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

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

What’s the average insurance cost for a group 13 car?

According to MoneySuperMarket data, the average annual cost of car insurance for a vehicle in insurance groups 11 to 20 is £500.02^{^} 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 13 car cheap to insure?

Insurance premiums for cars in insurance group 13 are towards the lower end of the scale. Costs are higher than for groups 1–10 (an average of £427.43^{^} ) but cheaper than cars in higher groups. Average costs for cars in the 31-40 group are £659.70^{^} , for example.

Vehicles in group 13 typically feature moderate engine sizes, reasonable repair costs, and solid safety features, making them lower risk compared to higher groups. Consequently, they often attract more affordable premiums than higher-group vehicles.

Who is car insurance group 13 suitable for?

Car insurance group 13 is suitable for drivers looking for a balance between affordable insurance and practical performance. This includes budget-conscious families seeking safe and spacious vehicles, and daily commuters who need a dependable, fuel-efficient car.

Eco-conscious drivers can also benefit, as many group 13 cars offer lower emissions and better fuel economy than cars in higher groups. Additionally, drivers who typically face higher premiums –such as young drivers or those with driving convictions – may be able to reduce their insurance costs by choosing a car in this moderate-risk group, although the cheapest premiums are in group 1.

What is insurance group 13E and insurance group 13U?

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 13E 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 13 car?

There are several ways you can find cheaper insurance for your group 13 car. These include:

• Build up your no-claims bonus

• Limit annual mileage

• Increase your voluntary excess

• Add a named driver

• Improve your car’s security

• Pay premiums annually, not monthly

• Park off-road or in a locked garage

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