Car makes and models
Our guides to different car makes and models
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There are so many types of cars to choose from, and the one you pick is likely to affect your insurance premiums as well as your driving experience. Read our guides to learn more about insuring different makes and models before buying a vehicle and taking out cover.
What are car makes and models?
Your car make is the manufacturer who produced the vehicle – for example, popular car makes in the UK include Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota.
Your car model is the name of car you bought from the manufacturer – so the car manufacturer Ford produces various models including the Fiesta and the Focus, while Volkswagen make models like the Golf and the Polo.
How do I find out my car’s make and model?
If you don’t know exactly what make and model your car is, you can usually find it on the back of the vehicle itself – it will also be on your car’s instruction manual and registration documents.
How does my make and model affect my car insurance?
Your car make and model is a major factor in deciding your insurance premiums. Car insurers sort cars into different insurance groups, numbered from one to 50 – this is based on things like:
Cost
The overall value of your car brand new, as this can be a guide to associated repair and replacement costs
Performance
Cars performing to a higher standard are also more at risk of insurance claims due to their speed and power
Repairs and parts
The cost and ease of repairs as well as availability of parts are also considered
Safety and security
The car’s safety and security features also affect the risk of car insurance claims
Does my car’s trim affect my car insurance?
Your car’s trim is the next level of category after make and model – so a particular car model will have several variants, or ‘trims’. As an example, you might see these letters added to the end of your make and model:
S: This can mean ‘sports’, ‘special’ or even just ‘standard’
SE: Similarly, this can mean ‘sports edition’ or ‘special edition’, or even ‘special equipment’
T: This usually means it is a ‘touring edition’
GT: This means ‘grand touring’
LTD: This will usually mean ‘limited’
Different ‘trims’ will have different configurations, and these variations can extend to performance, safety and security, and other types of technology in your car. Not all ‘trims’ of a certain car model will be in the same group, as these factors can affect the claims risk associated with the vehicle.
Does my car’s body type affect my car insurance?
Your car’s body type is also taken into account, as certain types – often sports cars, high performance cars and 4x4s – are seen as higher claim risks due to their power and performance.
Kit cars – or cars you build yourself – are likely to require specialist insurance, and if you make modifications to your car they can often increase the cost of cover.