Does engine size matter for car insurance?

Asked by: Mrs. Tamia King MD  |  Last update: September 5, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)

The amount of power the car's engine has is directly correlated to the insurance quotes you'll get. A car with fewer cylinders most likely has lower insurance premiums associated with it. The number of cylinders isn't what they're measuring, though; they're measuring the horsepower.

What engine size is best for insurance?

Size – it really does matter when it comes to engine size. Richard advises keeping the engine size low, for example 1200cc or less, to keep the insurance and tax costs down. Age – brand new cars are often unaffordable for first time car buyers so if you're buying a second hand car, make sure you check the mileage.

Does insurance go up with a bigger engine?

Your vehicle's engine size is one of the factors insurers use to work out the cost of your premium. Vehicles with lower engine capacities are cheaper to insure than high-powered vehicles. The insurance industry uses a system known as 'group rating' to assess the likely insurance costs for different vehicle models.

Does engine type affect insurance?

Yes, engine size affects insurance because insurers take specific vehicle details into account when determining car insurance prices. For instance, a car with a bigger, more powerful engine is generally more expensive to insure, since it's associated with faster and riskier driving.

Are 4 cylinder cars cheaper to insure?

Your car's horsepower.

In general, a four-cylinder car with moderate horsepower is less costly to insure than a six- or eight-cylinder car.

Understanding Engine Size… Applying Volume of a Cylinder

33 related questions found

Does insurance look at horsepower?

There's no denying that the type of car you drive plays an important role in your insurance premiums. Higher horsepower ratings, in particular, can significantly increase your rates and may even produce higher deductibles, too.

Is insurance based on horsepower?

The more horsepower your vehicle has, the likelier you are to drive at faster speeds and as such, the higher the risk of an accident. Different trim levels with varying engine sizes, even among the same makes and models, can bring differences in insurance premiums based on engine size.

Is a 1.4 engine good for first car?

Yes, a 1.4 L engine should be good for your first car! However, it's a good idea to steer clear of anything larger than 1.4 L, as it can become expensive to insure vehicles with larger engines, especially for newer drivers.

Is a 1.6 engine good for first car?

But that doesn't mean that anything above that is particularly big. A 1.6 is a small-medium sized engine. This means it offers good fuel economy and is perfect for those shorter, stop-start journeys without compromising so much on driving performance on those longer trips.

Is a V8 higher on insurance?

Car Engine

Vehicles with more powerful engines cost more to insure, like those with a V8. Insurance companies link cars with stronger engines to more powerful vehicles, like large pickup trucks, or ones that can go faster.

What engine size can a new driver drive?

The higher the engine size, the most likely statistically you are to have an accident, especially as a new driver. Top Tip: Hold out on the car you've always wanted for at least a year and get yourself a 1.4-litre engine (or smaller). Your bank balance will thank you for it.

How can I reduce my motor insurance?

Follow our other top tips to drive the cost down even further.
  1. Limit your mileage. ...
  2. Pay annually. ...
  3. Improve security. ...
  4. Increase your voluntary excess. ...
  5. Build up your no claims bonus discount. ...
  6. Only pay for what you need. ...
  7. See if it's cheaper to buy add-ons as separate products. ...
  8. Consider your cover type.

What happens if you don't declare mods?

What happens if you don't declare modifications to an insurance provider? Your insurance will be void if you don't declare the modifications to an existing plan. You will be committing fraud if it's not declared at the point of application as you have not provided accurate information deliberately.

Is a 1.2 engine good for motorway driving?

Answer provided by. While a 1.2-liter engine will work for motorway driving, most people recommend a 1.4 to 1.6-liter engine at the smallest. 1.2-liter engines are better for city driving, where you'll be doing a lot of stopping and starting. You'll get a better fuel economy rating from a small engine this way.

Is a 3 litre engine good?

2.2-3.0 Litre Engines

Or, if you're driving a sporty car like a coupé or performance saloon, this engine size is going to give you a much more exhilarating ride, as well as a louder, throatier noise to enjoy.

Can you get insured on a 2 litre?

You can learn in a 2 litre car affordably but once you've passed your test insurance will be astronomical and if you crash you will find it very hard for anyone to insure you. As stated in another thread, not necessarily. Engine size is not the be all and end all of a premium calculation.

Can a 1 litre car go on motorway?

A 1L engine is fine on the motorway. It will obviously give you less acceleration than a bigger engine but it should be OK for overtaking lorries.

Is 1.6 l too much for first car?

Most cars with an engine bigger than 1.4 Litres should be struck off your list of cars due to incredibly high insurance costs for a first driver, especially if you are 17 or 18 and getting your first car.

What is the difference between a 1.4 and 1.6 engine?

The number 1.4, 1.6 etc. refer to the cubic capacity of the cylinders in the engine. The higher the number, the bigger and (generally) more powerful the engine is.

Is a 16v engine fast?

Well 8 valves (8v) basically means a 4-cyl engine with 2 valves/cyl (one for intake and one for exhaust). 16 valves (16v) means 4 valves/cyl (two each for intake and exhaust). The 16v engine is better in terms of performance as it has an easier time taking in air and pushing out exhaust (i.e, breathing).

Are 1 litre turbo engines good?

AC performance is good in 1.0 L engines. For petrol engines, peak power is produced at high rpm whether it's an NA petrol or turbo petrol. Pickup is because of the torque produced by the engine. 1.0 L produce much more torque than a 1.5L NA engine between 2000-4000 rpm.

What size engine is best for first car?

Engine Size

Anything under 1.5 litres would be recommended. From this, you will get to experience the thrill of driving, without having too much power so that your insurance will be too high. Also, having a more powerful car isn't always the best idea if you aren't very experienced.

What makes a car more expensive to insure?

The car you drive – The cost of your car is a major factor in the cost to insure it. Other variables include the likelihood of theft, the cost of repairs, its engine size and the overall safety record of the car. Automobiles with high quality safety equipment might qualify for premium discounts.

How much is insurance for a v8 challenger?

The average cost to insure a Dodge Challenger is $1,567 per year. Some insurers may offer lower rates, while others may have higher premiums. At the low end is USAA, with a $1,238 average annual rate.