Insurance group 4: List of cars and average costs

What is group 4 car insurance?

Cars in insurance group 4 are some of the cheapest cars to insure. In general, they have smaller, less powerful engines so are less risk to an insurance provider and this is reflected in the price. Of course, there’s a number of other factors that help determine the cost of your car insurance such as age, location and driving history, but a car in insurance group 4 is a good place to start if you want to keep your premiums down.

Car makes and models in insurance group 4

There are several popular cars in insurance group 4 that are likely to come with a cheaper car insurance policy.

Cars in insurance group 4 and the average cost by driver’s age

Using the table below, you can look out for the make and model of your car, and work out how much you’re likely to pay for your car insurance based on your age.

• How we got these rates

  These rates are based on the average cost of cover for cars in the insurance groups shown, for drivers of different ages with a Newcastle (NE1) postcode, which our research suggests represents an average for insurance rates in the UK. Updated: April 2024 (source: Confused).

Why are cars in group 4 some of the cheapest?

Cars in insurance group 4 are usually the cheaper cars to insure, because they score well in a number of factors that determine which group the car will fall under. These factors include:

• Good security and safety features
• Inexpensive to source parts and make repairs
• Low market value
• Smaller engine size
• Low repair times

Which other factors affect your car insurance premium?

Along with your car’s insurance group, these three factors have the biggest impact on the cost of your insurance:

• Engine size and performance. You’re more likely to pay more for your insurance if your vehicle has a bigger engine. With a smaller engine, you’re likely to be seen as less risk to an insurer and this is usually reflected with a lower premium.
• Driver location. Insurers factor in the likelihood that your car will be stolen or involved in an accident when calculating your insurance, and your location has a big impact on this. As an example, a 30-year-old in central London will pay £840 for insurance for a Dacia Sandero Ambiance SCe 75 5d, while the same 30-year-old in Newcastle may only pay £559.
• Driver age. The age of the driver also plays a huge role in determining the cost of your insurance premium. The average 20-year-old driver in London could pay £2,762 for the Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i TR 5d, while the average 40-year-old Londoner will only pay £771.

However, there are a lot of other factors that can also impact the price of your premiums. These include:

• Your marital status
• Your credit history and job
• Your car’s safety rating, security and anti-theft precautions
• Likelihood of theft
• The model and age of your car
• Your driving activity
• Your driving history
• No claim discount

How can I save on my car insurance premiums?

Choosing a car in insurance group 4 is a great way to reduce the price of your premium. Thankfully, there are a few other things you can do to reduce your car insurance premium, and we’ve listed them below:

• Drive safely and avoid convictions. Although it may sound obvious, but having convictions on your record will make the cost of your car insurance skyrocket.
• Opt for public transport (where possible). You could save money on your insurance by being more sparing with your car usage. Opting for public transport or taking fewer trips will help keep your mileage, and premium, lower.
• Pay annually. Paying for your car insurance in one lump sum is a big financial outlay, but you will be thanking yourself in the long run. By paying annually, you could miss out on paying monthly interest on your instalments!
• Install extra safety features. The safer you make your car, the better your premium will be. By investing in extra safety features, your vehicle will be more secure and less of a risk to insure.
• Shop around when it’s time for renewal. When it’s time for renewal, make sure you compare your options – you’ll be surprised at how much you could save.

Frequently asked questions

• Are cars in insurance group 4 good for younger drivers?

  With car insurance policies for younger drivers usually coming with a hefty price tag, choosing a car in insurance group 4 will definitely help keep the costs down. However, there are numerous other factors that make up the cost of your car insurance premium so it’s always important to compare your options before choosing a policy.

• What do the letters mean in insurance groups?

  On a particular vehicle, the insurance group will be listed as a number and a letter. The letters refer to the security features on the vehicle that are fitted as standard.

• What does Thatcham Research analyse?

  Thatcham Research analyses a number of criteria to calculate a car’s group rating. One of its key tests is a 15km/h crash impact assessment, based on an internationally recognised insurance standard. Following the crash, Thatcham’s engineers work out the cost of the time and parts to return the car to its pre-accident condition. The group rating also takes into account new car values, car performance (including top speed and acceleration time), parts pricing, safety and security features, and the alignment and structure of a car’s bumpers.

• How many car insurance groups are there in the UK?

  In the UK, there are 50 car insurance groups with 1 being the lowest (cheapest) and 50 being the highest (most expensive). Insurance group 4 definitely falls on the cheaper side of the scale when it comes to car insurance premiums.