Lotus Elise insurance group

The Lotus Elise can reach speeds of up to 154 miles per hour and is a firm icon among British car manufacturing. This eye-catching 2-seater ends production this year (2021) after an impressive 25-year run. But not to worry, Lotus has assured us that it will be replaced by a newer model as part of a £100 million investment in its manufacturing facilities.

What insurance group does the Lotus Elise fall under?

All vehicles are given a specific insurance group that ranges from 1 (cheapest) to 50 (most expensive) which helps determine the cost of your premium. Lotus Elise models range from insurance group 42 to 48, meaning they’re among the most expensive cars to insure. As an example, a 30-year-old driver in an average postcode could pay around £2,182 for cover on a Lotus Elise 1.6 Elise S Sport 2d that is in insurance group 48 or around £2,354 for a Lotus Elise 1.8 20th Anniversary Edition 2d that is in insurance group 48. This clearly shows the impact on premium pricing that occurs when one car is in a higher insurance group.

• 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: June 2024 (source: Confused).

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Lotus Elise insurance cost by location

Among the factors that affect the cost of your car insurance premium, one of the biggest is your location.

To show the impact of your home address, here are some average quotes for a 30-year-old living in 3 different locations. The quotes are for a Lotus Elise S 2d.

• Expensive: £6,019 (London SE1)
• Average: £2,447 (Newcastle NE1)
• Cheap: £2,083 (Galashiels TD1)

• How we got these rates

  These rates are based on the average cost of cover for cars in the locations shown. Our research suggests SE1 is one of the most expensive locations, NE1 represents an average cost location and TD1 represents one of the cheapest locations. Updated: June 2024 (source: Confused).

Which factors affect my Lotus Elise insurance rate?

Along with insurance group, there are many other key factors that have a big impact on your insurance premium costs.

• Engine type and capacity. In general, the larger the engine, the more you’ll pay for your car insurance. For example, it may cost £6,019 for insurance for a Lotus Elise 111 2d, while you may pay £5,307 for a Lotus Elise 1.8 Elise SC 2d. So, that’s an extra £15 per year you’ll pay for the Long Range engine.
• Driver location. Insurers use your home address to determine the level of risk that your car may be stolen or involved in an accident, and this affects the cost of insurance. For example, a 30-year-old in central London may pay £20,691 for insurance for a Lotus Elise SC 2d, while the same 30-year-old in Newcastle may only pay £3,079. That’s an extra £131 per year that the average 30-year-old would pay in London compared to Newcastle.
• Driver age. The youngest drivers will pay the most for car insurance because they are the most likely to make a claim. As an example, the average 20-year-old driver in London may pay £33,785 for the Lotus Elise 111R Super Touring 2d, while the average 40-year-old Londoner will only pay £17,270. That’s £1,036 more per year that the younger driver would pay in this scenario.

Other factors that influence the cost of your insurance include:

• The model and age of your car
• Your car’s safety rating score
• Your car’s safety rating features
• Your car’s anti-theft precautions
• Your annual mileage
• Your driving history and activity
• Your no-claim discount
• Your marital status
• Your credit history and job

How can I save on my Lotus Elise premium?

Car insurance can be expensive, but you don’t need to let it break the bank. Here are some ideas to help you lower the cost of your premium.

• Limit your annual mileage (where possible). If you can occasionally walk or use public transport, rather than using your car, this can help to save on your premium.
• Pay annually rather than monthly. When you pay annually, you eliminate the possibility of being charged interest on monthly payments.
• Install extra safety precautions. This makes your car safer and reduces the risk of you making a claim. That’s why many insurers are happy to lower your premium when you do so.
• Shop around for the best deal using price comparison websites. Don’t just settle for the renewal price given to you. You’ll usually find a better deal by switching to a competitor each year.

Facts about the Lotus Elise

• It was named after the granddaughter of Romano Artioli, who was chairman of Lotus when the car launched.
• Top Gear named it Best Sportscar in 2004.
• Auto Car crowned it as Best Driver’s Car 2001.

Bottom line

The Lotus Elise is a beautiful and fast car, but as a result, it’s quite expensive to insure. While the car itself is already affecting the premium from the outset, you may be able to reduce costs by looking into renewal sooner rather than later. The best time is 15-29 days before the insurance is due to renew.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the top speed of a Lotus Elise?

  Depending on the model version, you can expect a Lotus Elise to reach a top speed of 154 miles per hour.

• Is the Lotus Elise safe?

  It hasn’t had a Euro NCAP crash test. In terms of safety features, it comes with driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, seat belt pretensioners and traction control.

• How much car tax do I have to pay for the Lotus Elise?

  The UK standard car tax rate sits at £150 per year. However, you might pay more or less depending on your car’s emissions.

• Where can I buy a Lotus Elise?

  You can buy a Lotus Elise at dealerships, using online sellers or from a current owner.

• Is the Lotus Elise any good?

  In short, sort of. The Lotus Elise received a 3-star rating from What Car? who praised its beauty and simplicity.

• Where can I find Lotus Elise car insurance?

  You can compare the costs of Lotus Elise car insurance using any price comparison website.

• Is a Lotus Elise expensive to insure?

  The Lotus Elise can be found in insurance groups ranging from 42 to 48. This means they’re among the most expensive cars to insure.

Written by

Connor Steele

Senior associate publisher

Connor is a senior associate publisher at Finder, specialising in insurance and investing. He's been sourcing and analysing data in both subjects for around 4 years, supporting Finder's publishing team. Connor holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the University of Sussex and when he's not at work, you can find him at his local gym keeping fit. See full bio