A car’s group is determined by three major factors: repair costs, performance, and security. Insurance companies are not obliged to follow the grouping system, but many of them do. This system has made individuals think twice before purchasing their dream car. The same grouping system is followed for motorbikes and vans or light commercial vehicles with twenty groups for each.

The cost of repairing a car after an accident contributes to over fifty percent of insurers’ payouts. This money is used to cover spare parts and manual labour. When assigning a vehicle to an insurance group, insurers consider the vulnerability of the car if it gets involved in a crash. It is paramount to assess the damage in terms of the cost of parts and the amount of time required for repairs. Group 1 vehicles do not require expensive parts and do not take much time to repair. Consequently, it is the labour costs that make up the bulk of the bill.

The faster or more powerful a car is, the more expensive it is to insure. This is because high-performance cars are usually fitted with larger, more costly to repair engines and often generate more claims as they tend to be driven riskier. For this reason, cars with quick acceleration and high top speeds are in higher-numbered groups.

Cars with superior standard, manufacturer-installed security are cheaper to insure. Group 1 cars have excellent security devices. If the driver adds extra security features, they should inform their insurance company as this could affect their premiums. Thatcham-approved security features that insurers favour include immobilisers, alarms, high-spec door locks, glass etching, prominent Vehicle Identification Numbers, and coded audio equipment.

Another cost factor influencing car insurance for Group 1 is the model. Different models of the same make can have different performance capabilities and specifications, and as such can fall within different insurance groups. As a result, the range of groups that a car of a specific make can fall within is quite extensive, which could influence a driver’s final decision when choosing a vehicle.

Most Group 1 cars are front-wheel drive with 5-speed manual gearboxes, hatchbacks that can accommodate up to four people. These cars are petrol- and eco-friendly, with engines that are 999cc or less. These modest cars are sufficient for drivers who merely need to travel regularly from Point A to Point B, and do not require extravagant features.

Group 1 cars are ideal for those who do not feel the need to drive expensive or flashy cars. They are also particularly appealing to young drivers, who often have to pay higher premiums due to their lack of driving experience. Young male drivers are also more likely than their female peers to make insurance claims.

Finally, when considering purchasing a new car, it is prudent to research insurance groups, as some car makes fall into multiple groups, depending on the model. Insurance premiums can significantly affect which car is the right choice to buy.

The following are some of the cars that fall under Group 1 insurance:

• Chevrolet Spark
• Citroën C1
• Fiat Panda
• Hyundai i10
• Seat Mii
• Skoda Citigo
• Vauxhall Corsa
• Volkswagens Fox and Up

For more information on Group 1 cars, drivers can visit websites such as thisismoney.co.uk, carpages.co.uk, or uswitch.com. These sites provide lists of cars covered by Group 1 insurance.