What is car insurance group 18?

Key takeaways 

• Cars in insurance group 18 have decent performance and safety features, but repairs or parts may be slightly more costly than lower-group cars. 

• Vehicles in this group include mid-level hatchbacks, family saloons, and smaller SUVs with moderate engine sizes (often 1.4–2.0L). 

• Group 18 includes models such as the Ford Focus Titanium X and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.  

What is car insurance group 18? 

Car insurance group 18 falls close to the middle of the UK’s 1–50 insurance group scale, which helps insurers gauge how costly a vehicle is to cover.  

Cars in group 1 are the cheapest to insure, while those in group 50 are the most expensive. 

The ratings are determined by the Group Rating Panel, made up of members from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Lloyd’s Market Association, using data from Thatcham Research, a specialist in vehicle safety and repair costs. 

When determining a car’s insurance group, the Group Rating Panel and insurers consider several factors that reflect how expensive the vehicle may be to repair or replace.

These include the car’s overall value –  higher-priced models generally attract higher premiums – as well as repair costs and times.

The availability and cost of parts, performance factors like speed and acceleration, and safety or security features such as automatic braking, alarms, and trackers also play a role.

Finally, claims and damage data from Thatcham Research are used to assess each car’s overall risk level. 

Whatever group a particular vehicle falls into, premiums will be higher for younger or less experienced motorists, or those with previous claims or convictions. 

Which cars are in car insurance group 18? 

Here are some makes and models of cars in insurance group 18. 

 Insurers can identify your car’s make and model using its registration number. You’ll need to confirm that the details are correct and disclose any modifications when you get an insurance quote.

Changes or upgrades to your vehicle may increase your insurance costs. 

What’s the average insurance cost for a group 18 car? 

According to Moneysupermarket data, the average annual cost of car insurance for a vehicle in insurance groups 11-20 is £473.75 for comprehensive cover.  

Your car’s make, model and insurance group plays a major role in determining your premiums, as the higher the insurance group the more you’re likely to pay.

This is generally down to the increased risk cars in higher groups present to insurers, from bigger engines and high performance to higher repair costs and likelihood of theft. 

However insurers consider a range of other factors too, such as your age, location, job and driving history. It’s always worth comparing quotes from different providers so you can find the best deal for the policy that covers everything you need. 

Is a group 18 car expensive to insure?  

Group 18 is comfortably in the middle of the UK’s car insurance group scale, with cars in this group cheaper to insure than those in higher bands like 30 and 40, but more expensive than those in groups 10 to 15. 

Cars in group 18 can still be high performance, with higher repair costs and theft risk, though they are also often a practical choice for drivers that want more features and performance without the steep insurance costs of higher groups. 

Who is car insurance group 18 suitable for?  

Insurance group 18 includes cars suitable for experienced drivers or younger professionals. Car in this group may be pricier to insure for new or young drivers. 

Cars in this group are not the cheapest to insure but are still affordable for many drivers, especially those with good driving histories. 

What does the ‘e’ mean in car insurance group 18e?  

In car insurance group ratings, the letter “e” stands for “exceeds.” It shows that the vehicle has better safety or security features than the standard model in the same insurance group. 

These extra features – such as alarms, immobilisers, trackers, or advanced driver-assistance systems – reduce the risk of theft or accidents.

Because of this, a car rated 18e, for example, will usually be cheaper to insure than a standard group 18 vehicle without those added protections. 

How can I check my car insurance group?  

Use Moneysupermarket’s car insurance group checker tool to check which insurance group your car belongs to.

How can I get cheaper insurance for my group 18 car? 

There are several ways you can find cheaper insurance for your group 18 or 18e car. These include: 

• Pay premiums annually, not monthly 

• Add a named driver 

• Build up your no-claims bonus

• Limit annual mileage 

• Increase your voluntary excess 

• Improve your car’s security

• Park off-road or in a locked garage 

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

Comparing car insurance with MoneySuperMarket

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