Car Insurance Group 11: Cars & Cost (UK 2026)
A group 11 car costs a typical driver roughly £600–£800 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — indicative only, as age, postcode and history matter far more than the group. Group 11 covers affordable family hatchbacks and small SUVs.
What car insurance group 11 means
Every car sold in the UK is placed in an insurance group from 1 to 50, where group 1 is the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. Group 11 sits in the lower-middle of that scale — comfortably below the halfway mark, in the band (roughly groups 11–20) that covers practical family hatchbacks, superminis and small SUVs.
Groups are set by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). A group rating reflects a car's likely claim cost, weighing the price and availability of parts, how long repairs take, performance (power and top speed), the car's new and used value, and how good its security is. A group 11 car scores well on most of these: modest performance, cheap and plentiful parts, and reasonable repair times.
Because it is towards the affordable end, group 11 is a popular sweet spot for buyers who want a well-equipped everyday car without the premium that higher groups carry. Cars registered from August 2024 are also assessed under the newer Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system, which grades on a 1–99 scale, but the familiar 1–50 group still applies to the vast majority of cars on the road and to most quote comparisons in 2026.
See where it fits on the full 1–50 insurance groups guide, or compare it with the neighbouring group 10 and group 12.
How much does a group 11 car cost to insure?
The car's group is only one ingredient in your premium. Your age, address, claims and licence history, annual mileage and chosen cover all move the price far more than a single group step. The figures below are indicative estimates for a group 11 car on comprehensive cover in 2026, shown by driver age band. Use them for orientation only — always get a live quote.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (comprehensive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £1,300–£2,200 | Young/new drivers pay the most; a black box (telematics) policy can cut this sharply. |
| 25–34 | £750–£1,050 | Falls quickly once a no-claims bonus builds. |
| 35–64 | £600–£800 | Typical mid-range driver; close to the UK average of ~£600. |
| 65+ | £550–£850 | Often low, though can edge up at older ages. |
Sources: indicative estimates compiled by Car Insurance Expert from published market data including the Confused.com / WTW Car Insurance Price Index, the ABI premium tracker and Thatcham Research group ratings. Figures are illustrative, not quotes; the UK overall average comprehensive premium was around £600 in 2026. Verify with a live quote.
For the wider picture and how premiums have moved, see the UK car insurance cost index.
Cars often rated around group 11
Insurance groups vary by trim, engine and model year, so the same nameplate can span several groups — a base-spec car may sit in group 11 while a higher-powered version climbs well above it. Always check the exact variant. That said, cars often rated around group 11 include:
- Vauxhall Corsa — mid-range petrol trims of this popular supermini frequently land near group 11.
- SEAT Ibiza — a well-equipped supermini with a five-star Euro NCAP rating; several versions sit around group 11.
- Volkswagen Polo — higher-trim petrol Polos commonly fall in the low teens, with entry versions near group 11.
- Ford Focus — lower-powered versions of Ford's family hatchback are often rated in this region.
- Skoda Fabia — a practical, value supermini whose better-equipped trims sit around here.
- Kia Rio — a dependable supermini that, in mid trims, is frequently rated in the low-teens groups.
To check a specific make and model, use our car insurance cost by vehicle tool, or a free group checker from Confused.com.
How to pay less in group 11
- Compare widely and switch. Loyalty rarely pays — shop the whole market a few weeks before renewal.
- Pay annually if you can. Monthly instalments add interest, often 20–30% APR.
- Raise your voluntary excess sensibly — but only to an amount you could actually afford to pay on a claim.
- Build and protect your no-claims bonus; it is one of the biggest levers on price.
- Add a low-risk named driver and keep the car garaged or on a driveway overnight where possible.
- Consider telematics (black box) if you are a younger driver — it can dramatically cut group 11 premiums.
- Keep mileage accurate and modest, and avoid non-approved modifications that push the group up.
Group 11 car insurance: FAQs
Group 11 is towards the cheaper end. It sits in the lower-middle of the 1–50 scale, so it is more affordable than mid-range and performance cars but a little dearer than the very lowest groups (1–5). For a typical mid-range driver, a group 11 car costs roughly £600–£800 a year on comprehensive cover in 2026.
Your age, postcode, claims and driving history, annual mileage, occupation and chosen cover level all affect the price more than the group itself. A young driver in a high-risk area can pay several times what an experienced driver in a rural postcode pays for the identical car.
Check your car's exact make, model, trim and engine using our car insurance by vehicle tool, or a free group checker from Confused.com, MoneySuperMarket or Compare the Market. Groups are assigned by Thatcham Research and the ABI, and can differ between trims of the same model.
Yes. Choosing a car in a lower group — for example a small city car in groups 1–5 — will usually reduce your premium. Compare group 11 with the neighbouring group 10 and lower bands to see the trade-off between running cost and the car you want.
No. The group is a useful guide to relative cost, but insurers combine it with dozens of personal rating factors to calculate your actual premium. Two drivers in the same group 11 car can be quoted very different prices.
Only one step. Group 12 cars are marginally more expensive to insure than group 11, reflecting slightly higher parts, repair or performance costs. In practice the price difference from a single group step is usually small compared with your personal factors. See group 12 for examples.
Sources & editorial
- Thatcham Research — the car insurance group rating system (groups 1–50 and the Vehicle Risk Rating).
- Association of British Insurers (ABI) — group rating methodology and premium tracking.
- Confused.com / WTW Car Insurance Price Index — UK average comprehensive premium data (2026).
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 2026-07-06
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