What are van insurance groups?
If your van went on sale in the UK from 1 August 2024 and is part of a brand new van model range then it will be assessed under a new insurance rating system. ➡️ Find out more.
Key takeaways
All vans in the UK are categorised into insurance groups, based on factors like new van value, engine size, and the cost of repairs
You can check your van’s insurance group through your insurer, dealer, or specific van manufacturer.
A new vehicle risk rating system is being phased in for new vans
What are van insurance groups?
Van insurance groups are risk ratings set by Thatcham Research that help insurers price your premium. The van insurance group for your van's model and trim is determined by factors such as your engine size and van performance.
When your van was registered affects which group it falls into:
Before 2016: Vans fall into groups 1 to 20, with group 1 being the cheapest and group 20 the most expensive to insure
From 2016 onwards: Van insurance groups were expanded from 21 to 50. Vans in group 21 are typically much cheaper to insure than vans in higher insurance groups
Cars are also classified into their own car insurance groups. You can see if your vehicle is classed as a van or a car by checking Line J of your V5C logbook.
Which insurance group is my van in?
You can see which insurance group your van is in with our free van insurance group checker:
Retrieving data...
Your van
Your van insurance group
Group 8/50
This van is among the lower insurance groups which should be good news for your premium. Vans in lower groups are typically cheaper to insure.
This van ranks in the middle insurance groups so it isn’t among the cheapest vans to insure, but it won’t be one of the most expensive.
This van is towards the higher end of the scale which means it could be relatively expensive to insure.
You can also check your van’s insurance group through your insurer, dealer, or specific van manufacturer.
As a rule of thumb, you can expect to find small vans in lower insurance groups and large vans in higher insurance groups, but your van’s specification, trim level and engine size could all have an impact.
For example, a small van from a volume manufacturer like a Citroën Berlingo could be in group 25 while a large van from a premium brand, like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter could fall into group 48.
Which insurance group is my electric van in?
Electric vans are put into the same insurance groups as petrol and diesel models. You can use our van insurance group checker tool to find out which group your electric van falls into.
However, electric vans can be more expensive to repair than petrol and diesel vans and more likely to be written off if the battery is damaged in an accident, which can result in some electric models being placed in higher groups and push up electric van insurance costs.
What is the new vehicle risk rating system?
The current insurance group rating system is being replaced by a vehicle risk rating (VRR) model for new vans, which gives insurers better insight on the risks of insuring a particular vehicle, based on real-world claims data. The ratings are calculated by Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation.
It only applies to brand-new van model ranges sold in the UK from 1 August 2024. You won’t be affected by the changes and your van will still have a group rating score if:
Your van was launched before 1 August 2024
You buy a new variant of a van model range that existed before August 2024
The new VRR system is also being phased in for cars.
➡️ Find out more about the vehicle risk rating (VRR) model.
How do van insurance groups work?
Thatcham Research, a not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation, gives each van a rating. The scores it sets are then reviewed by a group rating panel, which is made up of insurance representatives.
Vans in lower insurance groups are generally cheaper to insure, based on factors like the van’s price when new, safety features and repair costs.
Thatcham Research uses a variety of factors to assign a van to an insurance group, including:
Repairs and parts
Vans that are cheaper to repair and have easily available parts tend to fall into lower insurance groups
Performance
High-performance vans often end up in higher groups because they’re more likely to be involved in an insurance claim
Engine size
Like performance, the larger the van’s engine, the higher the van insurance group.
Weight
Heavier vans can be more challenging to handle, which can put them in a higher group
Security
Enhanced, or upgraded security features can mean a van is put in a lower insurance group with cheaper premiums
What are van insurance group letters?
You’ll sometimes see a letter after a group number. This indicates the level of security features fitted as standard to a particular van and whether it meets or exceeds the requirements of the insurance group.
The letters and their meanings are:
Van insurance group letter | Letter meaning |
|---|---|
A | The van meets the security requirement for the group. |
D | The van doesn’t meet the security requirement for the group so it’s been put in a higher group than normal. For example, a group 22 van that doesn’t meet the minimum standards would be listed as 23D. |
E | The van exceeds the security requirement for the group, so it’s been placed in a lower group than normal. For example, a group 25 car that exceeds the standards would be listed as 24E. |
P | Provisional. Used to show the data for group rating was incomplete at the time of launch. |
U | Unacceptable, as the van falls well below security requirements and insurers may require an upgrade to security features before insuring it. |
G | The van has been imported so doesn’t have an insurance group rating. |
Do van insurance groups change over time?
No, the group rating system gives each van 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.
Do modifications change my van’s insurance group?
Factory-fitted features are reflected in the original group rating, but aftermarket modifications do not usually change the official group.
However, making modifications to your vehicle can increase your van insurance premiums because insurers may see modified vans as higher risk or more expensive to repair. You must declare any modifications to your insurer.
Does my van’s insurance group affect my insurance premium?
Yes, your van’s insurance group has a direct impact on your insurance premiums. Vans in higher groups are deemed higher risk, and therefore, more costly to insure.
However, your van insurance group isn’t the only factor affecting your premiums. Insurers will also look at factors like your:
Age
Location
Driving history
No-claims bonus
Your mileage, chosen excess and where your van is parked will also have an impact.
Does a lower van insurance group always mean cheaper insurance?
Not necessarily. Vans in lower groups are generally cheaper to insure, but your personal circumstances and how you use the van can have just as much impact.
For example, van drivers with criminal or driving convictions may be quoted higher insurance costs even if they drive a van from the cheapest insurance group, because insurers generally consider these drivers to have a higher risk of making a claim.
Can van insurers charge more than my van insurance group suggests?
Yes. An insurance group is only one part of how your premium is calculated. Insurers also consider your age, location, driving history, mileage, use of the van and chosen excess. Two drivers with the same van in the same group can still receive very different quotes.
How do I choose a van with cheap insurance?
Opting for a van in a lower insurance group can lead to cheaper insurance premiums but weigh up other factors that influence the cost too. This isn’t all about the group number; it's about finding the right balance for your specific needs.
Regardless of your van's insurance group, you may be able to cut insurance costs by:
Compare quotes - shopping around helps you find the most competitive rates
Pay annually - Paying in one go rather than monthly is usually cheaper because monthly payments come with interest
Increase your voluntary excess - A higher excess can reduce premiums, but make sure it's still affordable
Park securely - Parking off-street can lower the risk of theft and potentially reduce premiums
Remove unnecessary add-ons - Only take the insurance add-ons you really need
Change van use - Driving fewer miles or only using the van for leisure purposes usually leads to cheaper insurance
Build up your no-claims bonus - Many insurers will give discounts to drivers who haven't claimed for a number of years
Perform regular maintenance - Keep your van in good condition to avoid breakdowns and accidents
💡 Top tip: The van model with the cheapest average insurance is the FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 270 L1 TREND 125
^ , according to MoneySuperMarket data.
How do I compare van insurance quotes?
When it's time to insure your van, we reckon the best place to compare quotes is on MoneySuperMarket. You'll need to provide some personal details, your driving and claims history, and information about the van you wish to insure.
You'll then receive a list of quotes tailored to your needs, allowing you to compare costs, excess amounts, and cover levels. It’s that easy.
Author
Kate Hughes
Money & Savings Expert
Multi award-winner and best-selling author Kate Hughes has been a financial journalist for more than 20 years. She started out at the Financial Times at just 21 years old, holding several senior...
Reviewer
Sarah Tooze
Car & Van Insurance Expert
Sarah Tooze has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in company cars and vans, and has won a number of awards during her career, including the Newspress ‘Automotive...
