Now there are 20.
Generally speaking, the higher the group number the more expensive, faster or bigger-engined is that car. And the higher the group number, the higher the cost of the insurance quote.
Insurance companies will often combine the group number with factors such as driver age or driving experience to measure the risk associated with a specific person driving a specific car.
Small cars such as Fiat’s 900cc Seicento are in the cheapest group 1, while most moderately powered family cars slot into groups 6-12. Some models fit into more than one group, depending on engine size and other specifications.
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The Renault Clio, for example, goes from the basic 1.2 litre three-door in group 2 to the 2 litre Renaultsport 182 model in group 16. All Ferraris are in group 20.
Since 2002 Thatcham, the motor insurance industry’s research and testing organisation, has had sole responsibility for the group allocation process. It has to assess the cost of returning a specific vehicle to its pre-crash condition. Thatcham does this with reference to its list of standard repair costs. These are based on labour costs, including such factors as removal and replacement of body panels, welding and respraying, and the cost of parts.
Thatcham has developed a comprehensive vehicle parts price database for all cars, motorcycles and light vehicles. The car list stretches to 6,599 vehicle sub-types or “derivatives” of 383 models with an average of 700 part prices per derivative.
Thatcham is working on incorporating the cost of whiplash injuries depending on the car’s head restraints into the insurance group rating scheme.