What is car insurance group 9?

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

• Group 9 insurance cars include small family cars like the Ford Fiesta and SEAT Ateca SUV

• 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 9?

Car insurance group 9 is relatively low on the scale of insurance groups, and cars in this group are often categorised due to their smaller engines and low repair and maintenance costs. While it isn’t the lowest group overall, it’s still a good insurance group to consider if you’re looking to reduce your insurance costs.

Which cars are in insurance group 9?

Insurance group 9 includes a number of popular car makes and models, such as:

• Audi A1

• Citroën C1

• Citroën C3

• Dacia Duster

• Fiat 500

• Fiat Panda

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Focus

• Honda Civic

• Hyundai i10

• Hyundai i20

• Kia Picanto

• Mazda2

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class

• Nissan Micra

• Peugeot 206

• Renault Clio

• SEAT Ateca

• SEAT Ibiza

• Skoda Fabia

• Toyota Aygo

• 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 9 cheap to insure?

Cars in group 9 are generally seen by insurers to have a low risk of being involved in an accident owing to things like moderate engine size and performance specs, as well as overall value. These cars are also often cheaper to repair, often due to readily available parts, which means associated insurance costs are usually lower.

Are cars in insurance group 9 good for young drivers?

Yes, cars in insurance group 9 can be good options for young drivers who usually face high insurance costs. These cars are relatively safe and low risk, so insurers are likely to offer lower premiums when covering these cars compared to those in higher groups.

However, it’s important to remember that insurers consider a range of other factors when deciding premiums, and young drivers are still likely to pay more than average.

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 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 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 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.