What Insurance Group Does Your Car Belong In?
What Insurance Group Is My Car?
When purchasing a new car,
the cost of insurance is a key factor to consider. One aspect that can play a major role in determining your premium is the car’s insurance group.
If you’re wondering what insurance group your car is in, this guide will break it down clearly for you. We’ll cover details on how these groups work, the impact on insurance costs and where various Kia models fit into the structure.
What Are Car Insurance Groups?
Car insurance groups are governed by The Group Rating System,
which is administered by Thatcham Research.
There are 50 groups that car models can potentially be placed into, with a range of affecting factors. Typically, cars with smaller engines are towards the lower end of the scale and cheaper to insure. In contrast, higher-risk cars are graded further up the scale and have more expensive premiums.
However, it’s worth noting that these numbers only serve as a guideline and insurance providers aren’t required to follow them.
What Do the Letters Mean in Car Insurance Groups?
Insurance group numbers may also include a letter, which is used to provide additional information about the security features of a car:
• E = Exceeds the requirements and has been placed in a lower insurance group.
• A = Acceptable, meaning the car meets the standards of the insurance group.
• D = Doesn’t meet the requirements and has been placed in a higher insurance group.
• U= Unacceptable security features, though cover may be available with upgraded security.
• P= Provisional, which means information regarding the vehicle’s security is still pending.
• G = Import, meaning the car has been imported for which there are two groups: parallel imports and grey imports.
This letter can affect the cost of insurance. For example, a car with an ‘E’ rating may receive a more competitive quote than one with an ‘A’ rating, even if both are in the same numerical insurance group.
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What Factors Determine a Car’s Insurance Group?
The Group Rating Panel considers several elements when assigning a car to an insurance group:
Engine size and power
Cars with higher-powered engines typically fall into higher insurance groups.
Cost of parts and repairs
Vehicles with expensive or rare parts are placed in higher groups, as they are more costly to repair.
Safety equipment and features
Vehicles equipped with advanced safety technology, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) or Driving Assistance Technologies , may land in lower insurance groups.
Car value
More expensive cars are placed in higher insurance groups due to the higher cost of replacement parts or repair costs.
Repair time
The complexity and duration of repairs can also play a role in determining a car’s insurance group.
How Do Electric Cars Compare to Petrol and Diesel in Insurance Groups?
While electric cars tend to be in higher insurance groups, they offer savings in other areas. Electric vehicles
generally have lower running costs, thanks to cheaper "fuel" (electricity) and reduced maintenance
requirements. Over time, as electric technology becomes more widespread, insurance for EVs is expected to lower more in line with what we see for ICE vehicles.
If you’re searching for an electric car towards the lowest end of the insurance groups, it’s a good idea to look at smaller, city-focused EVs, such as the upcoming EV3
. It’s a great option for those seeking a compact SUV
at an affordable price.
Kia’s 7-Year Warranty and Insurance Coverage
At Kia, our 7 year or 100,000-mile warranty
is available across our entire range, covering most major components and helping to reduce the likelihood of unexpected costly repairs. This could influence the insurance group your car is placed in, potentially lowering premiums due to the reduced risk of mechanical failure. However, the decision ultimately comes down to the insurance provider.
Kia car insurance
is designed specifically for our vehicles, offering benefits like the use of genuine Kia parts and repairs at approved body shops. This approach helps maintain your vehicle to manufacture standards, potentially reducing repair costs. You can still take advantage of these benefits even if you don’t insure your Kia with us – it’s something individual insurers may consider when setting premiums.
Images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be to full UK specification. Features shown are not standard across the Kia model range and availability will vary dependant on model. For further details please refer to the individual model specification sheets.
Product availability varies by models. To find out which products are available for your vehicle, please contact your Kia dealer.