What is car insurance group 8?

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

• Cars in group 8, such as the Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, and MINI Countryman, are among the cheaper options to insure

• 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 8?

Cars in insurance group 8 are some of the cheapest to insure. This is because they tend to be small, popular cars that are easy to find spare parts for and to repair.

This means costs are kept lower for an insurer and therefore insurance premiums will also

Which cars are in car insurance group 8?

Cars in insurance group 8 include:

• Aixam A751

• Alfa Romeo MiTo

• Chevrolet Matiz

• Citroën C1

• Dacia Duster Estate

• Dacia Sandero

• Fiat 500 hatchback

• Fiat Panda

• Fiat Punto

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Focus hatchback

• Honda Civic hatchback

• Hyundai i10

• Hyundai ix20

• Jeep Renegade

• Kia Picanto

• Kia Rio

• MINI Countryman

• Nissan Micra

• Renault Clio

• Renault Modus

• SEAT Leon hatchback

• Toyota Aygo

• Skoda Fabia hatchback

• Vauxhall Corsa

• 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 8 cheap to insure?

Cars in group 8 are some of the cheapest to insure, although those in groups 1 to 7 may have cheaper premiums. Cars in these groups tend to be:

• Small, reliable cars

• Easy to repair and find spare parts

• At low risk of being in an accident

• Low cost to insurers if the car is involved in an accident

What is insurance group 8E and insurance group 8U?

Insurance groups 8E and 8U are sub-sections of insurance group 8.

An ‘E’ means the car ‘exceeds’ the security requirement for a car of this type and the group rating has been reduced – so a group 9 car that exceeds the standard is listed as 8E.

Cars with a ‘U’ suffix have a level of security that’s considered ‘unacceptable’ for that model. The car won't be uninsurable, but some insurers may insist on a security upgrade before they will offer cover.

Are group 8 cars a good option for young drivers?

Yes, cars in insurance group 8 can be a good option for young drivers.

Young drivers face the highest average costs of any drivers on the road. This is because they are statistically most at risk of having an accident. They also lack driving experience and may not yet have had the opportunity to build up a no-claims bonus which can reduce future premiums.

There are many ways young drivers can cut their costs, and one is by picking a car in a low-down insurance group. A car in insurance group 8 might be a good option for a 17-year-old.

How do insurance groups affect car insurance premiums?

Car insurance groups determine how much you pay for car insurance, with lower groups being cheaper and higher groups being more expensive.

The Insurance Group Rating system is run by Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation. It 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 following factors are taken into account when deciding which group a particular make and model falls into:

• Car value

• Repair costs

• Safety features

• Performance

Cars that fall into lower insurance groups – such as group 8 – are usually cheaper to insure as they pose a lower risk to insurers regarding the cost of insurance claims.

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 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 are car insurance premiums calculated?

Insurance companies take a range of factors into account when working out the cost of your premium.

You can usually save money by comparing car insurance quotes to find the cheapest deal.

When you generate a quote, the insurer will ask for various personal details including your age, occupation, where you live, where you keep your car, and how you plan to use your car (e.g. for commuting or just for social/domestic use)

Your driving history – such as claims and any motoring convictions – will also impact how much you pay.