What is car insurance group 7?

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 7 includes popular cars like the Ford Fiesta 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 7?

Car insurance group 7 is one of the lowest car insurance groups, so you’re likely to find that cars in this group are cheaper to insure, as well as more affordable to buy and maintain. Cars in group 7 are generally smaller hatchbacks and city cars, although you’ll find some family vehicles. They’ll usually have low repair and maintenance costs. They’re good for drivers who often face high car insurance premiums that want to lower costs.

Which cars are in insurance group 7?

Car insurance group 7 includes makes and models such as:

• Citroën C1

• Citroën C3

• Dacia Duster Estate

• Dacia Sandero

• Fiat 500

• Fiat Panda

• Fiat Punto

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Focus

• Honda Civic Hatchback

• Hyundai i10

• Hyundai i20

• Kia Picanto

• Nissan Micra

• Peugeot 207 Hatchback

• Renault Clio

• Renault Megane Hatchback

• SEAT Ibiza

• Toyota Aygo

• Vauxhall Corsa

• Volkswagen Golf

• 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 7 cheap to insure?

Cars in insurance group 7 are generally some of the cheapest cars to insure because insurers see them as a relatively low claim risk. These cars are often smaller, cheaper and quicker to repair, so claims related to accidents are less costly - therefore insurers charge lower premiums for cars in these groups.

Are cars in insurance group 7 good for young drivers?

Cars in group 7 are often cheap to run and insure while also being relatively safe to drive due to their smaller engine size, making them a good pick for young and inexperienced motorists. You’re likely to pay less for cover, though young drivers do still pay higher than average for car insurance so it’s always good to compare your options.

What is car insurance group 7E?

Car insurance group 7E is a category within group 7 that indicates cars that have ‘exceeded’ the requirements of their standard group. As such, these cars are placed in a lower insurance group with an ‘E’ added to show this.

What are car insurance groups?

UK car insurance groups, which run from group 1 to 50, help insurers work out how risky cars are to insure. 

Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation, gives each car a rating based on a number of factors, such as its repair costs, and safety and security features. The scores Thatcham Research sets are then reviewed by a group rating panel, which is made up of insurance representatives.

The group your car falls into will influence how much you pay for car insurance:

• Cars in group 1 are typically the cheapest to insure as they are usually smaller, lower-value cars that are cheaper to repair.

• Cars at the top 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 car insurance groups are important, 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.

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.

What 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.