What is car insurance group 17?

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

• Car insurance group 17 is a mid-range category for vehicles and includes models such as the Audi A3, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

• 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 17?

Car insurance group 17 falls in the lower half of the UK’s 1 to 50 insurance group scale, which helps insurance providers gauge how costly a vehicle is to cover. Insurance group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure, while group 50 is the most expensive. So group 17 is in the lower half of the groups, making cars in this category affordable to insure for the typical driver.

Which cars are in car insurance group 17?

Here are some specific car makes, models and trims that are in insurance group 17.

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

What’s the average insurance cost for a group 17 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 insurance 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 17 car cheap or expensive to insure?

Insurance premiums for cars in insurance group 17 are towards the lower end of the scale. You’ll get cheaper insurance if you buy a car in insurance groups 1–10 (an average of £427.43^{^} a year for comprehensive cover) but a group 17 car will be cheaper to insure than cars in higher groups. The average annual cost for a car in the 21-30 group is £552.82^{^} , for example.

Who is car insurance group 17 suitable for?

Car insurance group 17 is ideal for drivers seeking a good mix of value, comfort, and reasonable insurance costs.

It suits those who want a reliable mid-range car with solid safety features and moderate performance. Cars in this group often appeal to families, professionals, and confident younger drivers who have built up some driving experience but still want to keep premiums affordable.

Drivers who typically face high premiums – such as young drivers or those with driving convictions – should consider looking for a car in an insurance group lower than 17 if they want to keep insurance costs down.

What does the ‘E’ mean in car insurance group 17E?

The ‘E’ in car insurance group 17E means the car exceeds the security requirement for the type of car. These enhancements can include things like advanced alarms, immobilisers or tracking devices. This extra safety tech can reduce the risk of theft or accident, which leads to lower insurance premiums.

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 17 car?

There are several ways you can find cheaper insurance for your group 17 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.