What is car insurance group 5?

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 things like new car value, engine size, and repair costs

• Cars in insurance group 5, like the Fiat 500 hatchback, Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris, are often smaller and cheaper to repair and have lower 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 5?

Car insurance group 5 is one of the lower car insurance groups, meaning cars in this category are often cheap to buy and maintain, at low risk of accidents and therefore often have lower insurance premiums.

Which cars are in insurance group 5?

Car insurance group 5 includes a number of popular car makes and models, such as:

• Chevrolet Aveo

• Citroën C3

• Dacia Duster estate

• Dacia Sandero

• Daewoo Matiz

• Daihatsu Cuore

• Fiat 500 Hatchback

• Ford Fiesta

• Hyundai i10

• Hyundai i20 Coupe

• Kia Picanto

• Nissan Micra

• Peugeot 206

• Renault Clio

• SEAT Ibiza hatchback

• Skoda Fabia

• Smart Fortwo Coupe

• Toyota Aygo

• Toyota Yaris

• Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback

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

Why are cars in group 5 cheap to insure?

Cars in this group, like many variants of the Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris, typically have small engines and are cheap to repair. This makes them a low claims risk in the eyes of insurers, so they’re willing to charge less in order to cover them.

Are cars in insurance group 5 good for young drivers?

Yes, cars in insurance group 5 can be good options for young drivers and those who face high premiums - they’re usually safe to drive and cheap to repair, making them easier to get cover for.

What is car insurance group 5E?

Car insurance group 5E refers to cars within group 5 that have exceeded the security requirements of the group they would usually be in, so they have been placed in a lower insurance group than standard.

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 go from 1 to 50, with group 1 being the lowest, and insurance providers use these groups to understand a car’s total risk factor. Cars in groups on the lower end, including group 5, are generally cheaper to insure due to their relatively small size and power, as well as their lower repair costs.

How important are insurance groups to overall car insurance costs?

Your car’s insurance group is one of many factors considered by insurers when setting premiums. They’ll look at your age, location and occupation too.

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 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.