Car Insurance Group 8
All cars in the UK are categorised into groups from 1 to 50 – the lower the insurance group your car is in, the cheaper your car insurance is likely to be
Key takeaways
Cars in group 8, such as the Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, and MINI Countryman, are among the cheaper options to insure
These cars have smaller engines, are reliable, easy to repair, and have readily available spare parts, which keeps insurance costs low
Young drivers, who face high insurance costs due to higher accident risks, can benefit from choosing a car in group 8 to reduce their premiums
All car make and models are ranked and assigned an insurance group by Thatcham Research. Cars in group 1 will be the cheapest to insure, and 50 the most expensive. Cars in lower insurance groups, such as group 8, are generally cheaper to insure, based on factors such as value, features and repair costs.
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 the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham). The Group Rating Panel (members of Association of British Insurers' (ABI) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA) allocates groups based on Thatcham's research.
The following factors are taken into an 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 cars are in 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, reliable 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 be low.
Cars in insurance group 8 including the following:
Aixam: A751
Alfa Romeo: Mito
Chevrolet: Matiz
Citroen: C1
Dacia: Duster Estate
Fiat: 500 hatchback
Fiat: Panda
Fiat: Punto
Ford: Fiesta
Ford: Focus hatchback
Honda: Civic hatchback
Hyundai: ix20
Jeep: Renegade
Kia: Picanto
Kia: Rio
MINI: Countryman
Renault: Modus
SEAT: Leon hatchback
Skodia: Fabia hatchback
Volkswagen: Beetle
Volkswagen: Polo
It’s worth noting that different models and specs of the same car may be in different insurance groups.
Why are cars in group 8 the cheapest?
Cars in group 8 are some of the cheapest to insure, although those in groups 1 to 7 may have cheaper premiums. This is because of the following reasons:
Small, reliable cars
Easy to repair and find spare parts
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.
Where security has been rated, the insurance group number, from 1 to 50, is followed by a letter, which shows the results of the assessment.
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.
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.
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 for any drivers on the road. This is because statistically, they are most at risk of having an accident. They also lack driving experience and won’t 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.
What group would my electric/hybrid car be in?
The insurance group for an electric or hybrid car can vary, depending on the make and model.
Hybrid and electric cars are often placed in higher insurance groups due to their higher showroom prices, despite their lower running expenses.
To find out the insurance group for a particular car, you can enter the registration number into MoneySupermarket’s car insurance group calculator.
What group would my classic car be in?
Classic cars are sometimes associated with lower insurance costs due to their limited use and secure storage conditions.
However, the insurance group for a classic car will be influenced by its rarity, age, make and model.
Rare classic cars might incur higher insurance premiums due to their value and the potential cost of repairs or replacement.
What group would my modified car be in?
Modifications can significantly alter the insurance group of a car. A modified car might see its insurance costs increase or decrease depending on the nature of the modifications.
Changes that enhance the car's value or performance will usually lead to a higher risk profile and, consequently, higher insurance premiums.
