Is 20 a low insurance group?

Editorial team Published on

πŸ’‘ Is Insurance Group 20 Considered Low?

No, insurance group 20 is not considered a low group;

it sits squarely in the affordable middle of the UK's 1 to 50 insurance scale.

  • βœ… Low groups: Groups 1 to 10 (cheapest, ideal for new or young drivers)
  • ⚠️ Mid groups: Groups 11 to 25 (moderate cost, typical family hatchbacks)
  • πŸ“ˆ High groups: Groups 26 to 50 (expensive, high-performance or luxury cars)

πŸ“Š Group 20 Breakdown

  • πŸš— Typical cars: Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Audi A3
  • 🧰 What it means: Moderate repair costs, reasonable power, and mainstream parts
  • πŸ”  The "E" suffix: A "20E" rating means security exceeds expectations, lowering your risk level closer to group 19
  • πŸ’· Estimated cost: Roughly Β£600 to Β£800 a year for average comprehensive cover

πŸ“Œ Personal Variables That Change the Price

  • πŸ‘€ Driver age: Young or teen drivers pay significantly more regardless of the group
  • πŸ“ Postcode: High-crime or densely populated areas increase premiums
  • πŸ“‹ History: Clean driving records and no-claims discounts lower your final quote

Is 20 a high insurance group?

No, insurance group 20 is not considered a high insurance group on the UK's 1 to 50 scale. It sits right at the upper end of the affordable standard bracket (groups 11 to 20).

How Insurance Group 20 Ranks

  • Scale range: UK cars are rated from 1 (the cheapest) to 50 (the most expensive).
  • Position: Group 20 is in the lower-middle part of the overall spectrum, typically representing standard family hatchbacks or sensible commuters.
  • Cost expectation: Premiums are moderately pricedβ€”higher than groups 1–10, but much more affordable than high-performance or luxury cars in groups 31–50.

What is in Group 20?

  • Common cars: Models like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Audi A3 often feature in this group.
  • The "E" suffix: If your car is listed as 20E, the "E" means it exceeds security expectations, which can make it cheaper to insure than a standard group 20 vehicle.

Other Factors That Matter

  • Personal details: Insurers also look at your age, driving history, location, and annual mileage.
  • Your quote: Even in a modest group, young or new drivers may still face high prices.

What's the lowest level of car insurance?

The lowest level of car insurance is state minimum liability coverage, which is the cheapest legal amount of Liability Coverage Details required to drive in your area.

What State Minimum Covers

  • Bodily injury liability: Pays for medical bills and injuries you cause to other people in a crash.
  • Property damage liability: Pays to fix or replace other people's cars or property that you damage.
  • Note: It does not pay to fix your own car, nor does it cover your own medical bills unless required by special state rules like Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

How Limits Work

States write minimum limits using three numbers (e.g., 25/50/15):

  • First number: Maximum payout for one person's injuries in an accident ($25,000).
  • Second number: Maximum total payout for all people injured in one accident ($50,000).
  • Third number: Maximum payout for property damage in one accident ($15,000).

Risks of the Lowest Level

  • Out-of-pocket costs: If you cause a major crash, bills will quickly pass these low limits.
  • Personal debt: You must pay whatever the insurance does not cover, which puts your savings and home at risk. Most users on r/personalfinance agree that higher limits (like 100/300/100) are much safer.

Which cars are classified as insurance Group 20?

Cars in insurance group 20 sit in the lower-middle tier of the UK’s 1 to 50 rating system, offering a balance of family-friendly practicality, moderate performance, and reasonable insurance costs.

You can browse a complete database of specific makes, models, and trims using the Parkers Group 20 Guide.

What is Insurance Group 20?

  • The Rating System: UK vehicles are ranked from 1 (cheapest) to 50 (most expensive) by Thatcham Research based on repair times, parts costs, safety features, performance, and value.
  • The Tier: Groups 16–20 typically comprise standard family hatchbacks, small SUVs, and efficient commuters.
  • Suitability: They offer more space and power than city cars, making them manageable to insure for experienced drivers or motorists with a solid no-claims discount.

Common Examples in Group 20

  • Audi: Select variants of the Audi A3 and A4.
  • Volkswagen: Versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Golf SV.
  • Ford: Certain Ford Focus and Kuga trims.
  • Nissan: Leaf Acenta Flex (electric).

What Does "Group 20E" Mean?

Some cars are listed with a letter suffix like 20E. The "E" stands for exceeds, meaning the car has superior security or safety features (such as advanced alarms or autonomous emergency braking) compared to the baseline standard, which can make it cheaper to insure than a plain group 20 rating.

Is 25 a high insurance group?

No, insurance group 25 is a mid-range category sitting right in the middle of the UK's 1 to 50 Car Insurance Groups Listed & Explained | RAC Drive rating scale.

How Insurance Groups Work

  • Scale range: Vehicles are rated from 1 (the cheapest) to 50 (the most expensive) by Thatcham Research.
  • Group 25 position: It falls into the mid-tier bracket (groups 21–30), which typically features larger hatchbacks, compact SUVs, and mid-sized executive cars with moderate performance.
  • Typical models: Common cars in group 25 include the Audi A4, Ford Kuga, and BMW 2 Series.

What This Means for Costs

  • Average cost: Comprehensive coverage for a group 25 car averages around mid-range pricing, though actual costs depend heavily on your age, location, and driving history.
  • Other factors: Insurers look beyond the group number at your personal risk profile, including your job, where you park, and your no-claims discount.

These Cars Have The Cheapest Insurance In 2026

9 related questions found

What's the cheapest car for a 17 year old to insure?

The Subaru Forester is one of the cheapest vehicles for a teenager to insure, with average annual rates starting around $1,774.

Top Affordable Cars for Teen Insurance

Insurers look at safety ratings, repair costs, and vehicle value rather than just size. Midsize SUVs and sensible sedans consistently rank as the cheapest options:

  • Subaru Forester: Average annual cost of $1,774 (high safety scores and low repair costs).
  • Toyota RAV4: Average annual cost of $1,580.
  • Hyundai Tucson: Average annual cost of $1,613.
  • Honda CR-V: Average annual cost of $1,722.
  • Mazda CX-5: Average annual cost of $1,773.

(Note: If you are located in the UK, micro-cars like the Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, and Volkswagen Up! occupy the lowest insurance groups and offer the cheapest coverage).

Tips to Lower Teen Insurance Rates

  • Stay on a parent’s policy: Adding a 17-year-old to an existing family plan is far cheaper than buying a standalone policy.
  • Choose liability-only: Driving an older, paid-off car means you can drop collision and comprehensive coverage.
  • Look for discounts: Good student discounts can reduce premiums by up to 20%.

Which car will be the cheapest to insure in 2026?

The Buick Envista and Subaru Outback rank as the cheapest cars to insure in 2026, with average full-coverage rates starting around $117 to $161 per month depending on the provider and driver profile.

πŸ“Š Top Affordable Vehicles for 2026

  • πŸš— Buick Envista
    • Monthly average: ~$161
    • Why it's cheap: Low repair costs and high safety tech.
  • πŸš™ Subaru Outback
    • Monthly average: ~$117–$191
    • Why it's cheap: Top-tier crash ratings and standard all-wheel drive.
  • πŸš™ Honda CR-V
    • Monthly average: ~$122–$161
    • Why it's cheap: Exceptional safety scores and low claim severity.
  • πŸš™ Subaru Forester
    • Monthly average: ~$119
    • Why it's cheap: Affordable replacement parts and modest power.

πŸ’‘ Why These Cars Cost Less

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Safety Ratings: High IIHS and NHTSA scores reduce injury claims.
  • πŸ› οΈ Repair Costs: Common parts are inexpensive to source and replace.
  • πŸ“‰ Theft Rates: Mainstream SUVs attract fewer thieves than luxury or sports models.

What not to tell your insurance company?

Never say I'm sorry or admit fault to an insurance adjuster, as these statements can be used to reduce your payout or deny your claim.

βœ… What Not to Say or Do

  • ❌ Admitting Fault: Saying "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault"
  • ❌ Downplaying Pain: Saying "I'm fine" or "I'm not hurt"
  • ❌ Speculating: Guessing speeds, distances, or timing
  • ❌ Recorded Statements: Agreeing to give a recorded interview
  • ❌ Early Settlements: Accepting the first check right away

πŸ’‘ Safe Communication Strategy

  • πŸ—“ Report Promptly:
    • Contact your insurer within 24 to 48 hours
    • Provide only date, time, and location
  • πŸ—’ Stick to Facts:
    • State what you saw without opinions
    • Decline to guess causes or blame
  • πŸ”Ž Protect Medical Info:
    • Do not sign blanket medical releases
    • Get checked by a doctor first

Is $200 per month a lot for car insurance?

Paying $200 per month for car insurance is right around the national average for a full-coverage policy, but it can be high if you only carry basic state-minimum liability.

When $200 a Month is Normal

  • Full Coverage: The average cost for full coverage in the U.S. is roughly $200 to $215 per month.
  • High-Risk Drivers: Younger drivers, individuals with recent accidents or tickets, or those with poor credit often see higher rates.
  • Expensive Locations: Drivers living in states with high weather risks, dense traffic, or high rates of uninsured motorists (like Florida or Texas) often pay well over $200.
  • Newer Vehicles: Financing or driving a brand-new car requires comprehensive and collision coverage, which raises the price.

When $200 a Month is Too Much

  • Minimum Coverage: If you only carry basic liability coverage, $200 a month is expensive, since state-minimum plans often average under $60 to $90 a month.
  • Clean Record and Older Car: If you have an older car that is paid off and a clean driving record in a low-cost state or rural ZIP code, you should be paying significantly less.
  • As users on Reddit agree, insurance rates are deeply personal, and prices vary heavily depending on your exact profile.

Is AAA cheaper than Geico?

On average, GEICO is cheaper than AAA for auto insurance.

Cost Comparison

  • GEICO: Tends to have lower average rates nationwide, with full-coverage policies often averaging around $1,900 per year, which is well below the national average.
  • AAA: Tends to be more expensive for auto insurance alone, with full-coverage policies often averaging around $2,700 per year. AAA insurance rates also vary significantly because coverage is provided through regional motor clubs and local partner companies.

Coverage and Perks

  • Discounts and Availability: GEICO operates directly online and by phone, offering a wider range of standard auto discounts and nationwide availability without any membership prerequisites.
  • Membership Benefits: AAA requires an active club membership to buy their insurance. While the insurance policy itself may cost more, AAA memberships include valuable non-insurance perks like robust roadside assistance (towing that does not count as an insurance claim) and travel discounts.
  • Bundling: AAA may occasionally become more competitive or provide better overall value if you bundle your auto policy directly with an AAA homeowners insurance policy.