Car insurance groups are the groups cars are put into to help insurers decide whether or not to insure them, and for how much.
The Association of British Insurers – and others in the Group Rating Panel – decide on the groups with monthly information from the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre in Thatcham. That information includes:
• damage and part costs
• repair costs and times
• new car values
• car performance
• safety and security
• bumper compatibility
There are 50 groups. Cars in group 1 have the lowest price rating and cars in group 50 have the highest price rating. It's not the only thing insurers take into account, but it's worth knowing what group your car – or potential new car – is in before you insure it.
You can find out what group your car is in at thatcham.org.
Read our guide to car insurance groups.