The cheapest cars to insure: buy smart, pay less

Insurance is one of the toughest parts of being a new driver. Until you can prove to an insurer that you are a safe driver, your annual insurance bill could be almost as much as the price of a used first car. Keep the cost low: buy one of the cheapest cars to insure.

Here’s our guide to which cars cost the least to cover, and a few more tips to drive down your premium.

Low insurance groups = low insurance costs

Every car is given an insurance group rating, starting from 1 and going all the way to 50. The ratings are decided by the motor insurance industry, based on how safe a car is, its price and performance, and how much it costs to repair.

So a lower insurance group applies to small, affordable, safe cars. Expensive, high-performance cars are stung with a higher insurance group rating.

Different insurers are free to calculate risks for themselves, but as a rule, the lower the insurance group the cheaper a car will be to insure.

Cars with a group 1 rating are pretty rare but include the Hyundai i10 1.0 S (2014-2016), Nissan Micra 1.0 Visia (2016), and Skoda Citigo 1.0 S (2012-17).

You don’t need to go as low as group 1 for the cheapest insurance, with reasonable premiums for cars with single-digit ratings. But the lower the better.

There’s a handy database on the Thatcham Research website. Armed with the make and model and the year the car was made, go online to check the group rating.

How to make any car cheaper to insure

Affordable insurance isn’t just about a low group rating. Perhaps the biggest step you can take to lower your premium is to choose a telematics policy. This uses a ‘black box’ inside the car to monitor how you drive. Stick to the limit, stay smooth, and avoid harsh braking and accelerating, and you’ll pay less.

Avoid modifying your car. Insurers are happier with standard spec cars unless the changes you make improve the car’s security.

Think about where you park it, too. If you have access to a garage or off-street parking, use it. There’s a lot more to finding a good insurance deal than just choosing one of the cheapest cars to insure.

Stay Connected

5,005FansLike
49,900FollowersFollow
4,600SubscribersSubscribe

Advertisment Feature

Learners shelling out more than a grand on theory test attempts

Driving theory test candidates at 10 test centres spent more than £1,000 each getting their pass certificate*. The AA Driving School can reveal the...

Discover the ultimate tool for learner drivers: the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit

Study With the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit, you’ll have access to a wide range of practice materials that covers all 14 topics of the...

Safe Driving for Life eLearning

Passing your theory test is a big step towards getting your ‘keys to freedom’, and it’s important to gain the knowledge and understanding needed...

The new Official DVSA Highway Code app has recently launched!

The Official DVSA Highway Code app is an important tool for all road users, helping you staying up to date with the latest rules...

Safety by choice, not by chance

A  road safety campaign in Wales helps inform, educate, and influence the behaviour and attitudes of young and new drivers.   The “Safety By Choice,...

Other articles for you