What do the letters after my car insurance group number mean (e.g. Group 14E)?

When looking at the Thatcham car insurance groups list, the letter suffix indicates the vehicle's factory security rating: E (Exceeds standard security, lowering the group and premium), A (Acceptable standard), D (Does not meet standard, raising the group), P (Provisional rating due to incomplete launch data), G (Grey import), and H (High security specification).

What are the cheapest cars to insure for new drivers under the 1-50 group system?

The cheapest cars to insure for new and young drivers sit in Insurance Groups 1 and 2. Popular models include the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen Up!, Kia Picanto, Skoda Fabia, and SEAT Mii. These vehicles feature sub-1.2L engines, low repair costs, high Euro NCAP safety ratings, and affordable parts baskets.

How are car insurance groups calculated by Thatcham Research and the ABI?

The Group Rating Panel (Thatcham Research and Association of British Insurers) calculates groups based on: 1. Parts and repair costs from standard 15km/h front and rear crash tests (single largest weighting), 2. New car replacement values, 3. Engine performance and 0-60mph acceleration, 4. Standard safety features (like Autonomous Emergency Braking), and 5. Factory-fitted security systems.

What is the new Thatcham Vehicle Risk Rating system in the UK?

Launched in late 2024 to run alongside the 1-50 group system, Thatcham's Vehicle Risk Rating uses a 0–99 scale across five risk pillars: Performance, Damageability, Repairability, Security, and Safety. It provides insurers with more granular data for modern electric and connected vehicles.

How does a multi-car discount compare to individual policies?

Insuring 2 or more cars at the same residential address with one insurer typically saves 10% to 25% across total premiums. However, compare both options annually, as a claim by one named driver may impact shared renewal discounts.

What is no-claims bonus (NCB) and how does it affect my premium?

NCB is a discount insurers give for each claim-free year, typically 5% to 9% per year and capped at around 60% after 9–10 years. A claim usually costs 1–2 years of NCB unless you pay for protected NCB.

Car Insurance Group Checker

Check your vehicle's Thatcham insurance group (1-50) and compare potential savings from group policies and multi-car discounts.

⏱️ 4-7 minutes

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UK Postcode *

Time Period *

Current Monthly Insurance Cost *

Typical UK range: £60–£500/month. Divide your annual premium by 12 if you only know the yearly figure.

Number of Drivers (Optional)

Number of Vehicles (Optional)

Vehicle Registration (Optional, for a more accurate estimate)

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Last updated: September 2026

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How This Tool Works

Check vehicle insurance group ratings on the Thatcham 1-50 scale and new Vehicle Risk Rating system. Compare potential savings across individual policies, group driver plans, and multi-car arrangements using live postcode and DVLA vehicle lookup data.Read our full guide: UK Car Insurance Groups Explained: Avoid Group 50 Premium Penalties

1
Enter your postcode and current monthly car insurance premium.
2
Look up your vehicle registration via DVLA data to check group band indicators.
3
Review local crime adjustments and regional insurance pricing benchmarks.
4
Compare savings from multi-car discounts and named-driver policy structures.

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Car Insurance Groups, Thatcham Ratings & Premium Reduction Guide

Learn how the Thatcham 1–50 group system and new Vehicle Risk Ratings determine your premiums, what suffix codes mean, and how to find cheaper cars to insure.

📅 Last updated: 2026-08-13

Quick Tips

Jump-start your understanding with these essential tips

Enter what you actually pay monthly or annually for car insurance to benchmark realistic group and multi-car policy savings.

Cars in groups 1–5 feature small engines, inexpensive body panels, and low claim frequencies, significantly lowering premiums for new drivers.

Enter your vehicle registration to pull real DVLA data (engine displacement, fuel type, CO₂ emissions, vehicle age) for an adjusted estimate.

Vehicles with an "E" rating exceed Thatcham security requirements and are placed in lower, cheaper insurance bands.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to get the most from this tool

Start by entering your postcode and current monthly or annual premium. Location crime metrics and regional repair costs form the baseline for your comparison.

Use our car insurance group checker by registration to pull official DVLA vehicle specifications and identify your car's indicative group placement.

Review estimated savings across individual policies, named-driver arrangements, and multi car insurance discount comparisons.

Advanced Topics

Deep dives for advanced users

Every passenger car sold in the UK is mapped to the official Thatcham car insurance groups list (1 to 50). Group 1 is the cheapest to insure and Group 50 is the most expensive. In addition to this legacy system, Thatcham has introduced the vehicle risk rating system UK—a 0–99 scale evaluating cars across five core pillars: Performance, Damageability, Repairability, Security, and Safety.

Letters after the insurance group number indicate vehicle security performance:

• E (Exceeds): Factory security exceeds standard requirements for its class, reducing the insurance group rating (e.g. Group 12E instead of 13).
• A (Acceptable): Vehicle security meets the standard requirements for its class.
• D (Does Not Meet): Security falls below required standards, increasing the insurance group band as a penalty.
• P (Provisional): Insufficient crash or security data was available at vehicle launch; temporary rating.
• G (Grey Import): Imported vehicle not built to standard UK specification.
• H (High Security): High-specification security system fitted as standard.

A No-Claims Bonus provides a cumulative discount for each claim-free year (typically 5-9% per year, capping at 60-70% after 5-9 years). Protected NCB preserves discount percentages if an incident occurs.