What is car insurance group 4?

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 the cheapest to insure and 50 the most expensive, based on factors like cost, engine size, and repair costs

• Cars in group 4, like the Chevrolet Spark, Citroën C1, and Dacia Sandero, are usually small, cheap to run, and have low car insurance costs

• 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 4?

Car insurance group 4 is one of the lowest car insurance groups, meaning cars in this group are likely to be some of the most affordable to buy, maintain, and cover. This is largely down to factors like the car’s engine size and repair costs, making them good options for drivers that want to keep insurance costs down.

Which cars are in insurance group 4?

You’ll find a number of popular car makes and models are categorised into insurance group 4, including:

• Citroën C1

• Dacia Sandero Hatchback

• Fiat Panda

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Ka

• Hyundai i10

• Kia Picanto

• Nissan Micra Hatchback

• Peugeot Bipper Tepee

• Renault Clio Hatchback

• SEAT Ibiza

• Skoda Fabia

• Toyota Aygo

• Toyota Yaris

• Vauxhall Corsa

• Volkswagen Up

• Volkswagen Polo

💡 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

Why are cars in group 4 cheap to insure?

Cars are sorted into groups based on factors related to their insurance risk, so cars in lower groups like 4 are generally seen to be at a lower risk of being involved in an accident. Their smaller engines and lower cost of maintenance and repairs reduce their claim risk, resulting in lower insurance costs.

Are cars in insurance group 4 good for young drivers?

Yes, cars in insurance group 4 can be a good option for young drivers as group 4 is one of the lowest insurance groups and cars in this group tend to have smaller engines and are easier to repair, making them less of a risk for insurers.

What is car insurance group 4E?

Cars that have been placed in group 4E indicate the vehicle’s security requirement has exceeded expectations or requirements for cars in their group, so they’ve been placed in a lower group than normal (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.

What are car insurance groups?

Car insurance groups are categories that are used to sort various car makes, models and variants so insurers can better understand their risk profiles and appropriate insurance costs.

Numbering from 1 to 50, those in group 1 are often cheapest to insure owing to their low associated risks and costs, while cars at the opposite end of the scale (group 50) are typically the most expensive to insure as they are often high-value or high-performance cars that are desirable to thieves and have more expensive parts.

How important are insurance groups to overall car insurance costs?

While cars in insurance group 4 are often cheaper to insure than cars in higher groups, insurers consider a number of details about you before setting premiums.

For example, they’ll look at your:

• Age

• Postcode

• Job title

• Driving history and whether you’ve made any claims on car insurance policies in the past

These factors all contribute to your overall risk profile.

Your insurance costs will also depend on the type of cover you take out and the provider you choose - which is why it’s always good to shop around for a car insurance quote.

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.