Car Insurance Group 12: Cars and Cost (UK 2026)
A car in insurance group 12 typically costs a mid-range driver around £600–£800 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — an affordable band covering family hatchbacks and small SUVs.
What insurance group 12 means
Every new car sold in the UK is placed in one of 50 insurance groups, numbered 1 to 50. Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. Group 12 sits in the lower-middle of that scale — comfortably in the affordable zone, well below the halfway mark. Cars here tend to have modest engines, sensible repair costs, decent security and good safety scores, which is why insurers view them as relatively low risk.
The groups are set by Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), who assess each model on parts prices, repair times, performance, new-car value and security features. A group 12 rating signals a car that is cheap to fix and unlikely to attract high-risk drivers — a common choice for cost-conscious families and second-car buyers.
Important context: the group number is only one ingredient in your quote. Your age, postcode, annual mileage, no-claims history and job usually move the price far more than the group does. Two drivers insuring the same group 12 car can pay wildly different premiums. For registrations from August 2024, insurers are also moving to the new Vehicle Risk Rating system (1–99), though the 1–50 groups remain the everyday reference for most cars on the road in 2026. See all insurance groups for the full 1–50 picture.
Indicative group 12 premium by driver age
The table below shows indicative annual comprehensive premiums for a typical group 12 car in 2026. These figures blend age-band averages from the Confused.com Price Index with the affordable positioning of group 12. Treat them as a guide, not a quote — your own price depends heavily on postcode, mileage and claims history.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 12) | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 (new drivers) | £1,000–£1,300 | Highest |
| 25–34 | £650–£850 | Above average |
| 35–64 | £500–£700 | Lowest for most |
| 65+ | £450–£650 | Low, rising slightly with age |
Sources: Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (Q1–Q2 2026); ABI and Thatcham Research group methodology; overall UK average comprehensive premium approximately £600 in 2026. Figures are indicative estimates for a typical group 12 vehicle and are not quotes. Compare live prices via our UK car insurance cost index.
Cars often rated around group 12
Because trim level, engine size and gearbox all shift a car's group, individual versions of these models can sit a little above or below 12. Framed honestly, cars often rated around group 12 include:
- Ford Fiesta — lower-powered petrol trims of the UK's long-time best-seller frequently land in the low-teen groups.
- Citroën C3 — the comfortable supermini and its C3 variants are commonly grouped around this level.
- Hyundai i10 — higher-spec versions of this popular city car sit near group 12.
- Fiat 500 — certain hatchback and 500L trims are rated in this band.
- Honda Jazz — the practical, reliable supermini appears in and around group 12.
- BMW 1-Series — entry petrol hatchback trims can fall near this group, though sportier versions climb much higher.
Always confirm the exact group for the specific trim and engine you are considering — use our car insurance by vehicle tool to check a make and model before you buy. Different Fiesta engines, for example, span from single figures to the high twenties.
How to pay less in group 12
- Compare widely and early. Quote across multiple insurers about three weeks before renewal — the cheapest name changes constantly.
- Pay annually if you can. Monthly instalments add interest, often 20–30% APR.
- Add a low-risk named driver (never fronting) — an experienced second driver can lower the price honestly.
- Increase your voluntary excess sensibly, but only to an amount you could actually pay after a claim.
- Build and protect your no-claims discount — the single biggest lever most drivers control.
- Consider telematics (black box) if you are young or new — safe driving can cut a group 12 premium sharply.
- Secure the car — a garage, driveway or approved immobiliser can trim the quote.
Group 12 car insurance: common questions
Group 12 is cheap relative to the 1–50 scale — it sits in the lower-middle, well below halfway. A typical mid-range driver can expect roughly £600–£800 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026, close to the UK average of about £600. It is more affordable than most family cars and considerably cheaper than anything in the 30s or 40s.
The group sets a baseline, but your premium is driven far more by your age, postcode, annual mileage, driving history and no-claims discount, plus your chosen excess and any modifications. Two people insuring the same group 12 car can pay very different amounts because of these personal factors.
Check the exact trim and engine of your car using an insurance-group checker or our car insurance by vehicle tool. The group is set by Thatcham Research and the ABI, and it varies between versions of the same model — so always look up your specific spec rather than the model name alone.
Cars often rated around group 12 include lower-powered versions of the Ford Fiesta, Citroën C3, Hyundai i10, Fiat 500, Honda Jazz and entry BMW 1-Series hatchback. Because trim and engine change the rating, confirm the exact group for the specific version you are considering before you buy.
Yes. If insurance cost is your priority, look at cars in group 11 or lower — smaller city cars with modest engines. The saving between adjacent groups is usually small, so it is often not worth switching for one group alone. Compare quotes on the exact models you like rather than assuming a lower group is always cheaper for you.
No. The group is only a starting point that reflects the car's repair cost, performance, value and security. Insurers then layer on your personal risk — age, location, experience, mileage and claims record — which usually has a bigger effect on the final premium than the group number itself.
Sources and review
Sources: Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Thatcham Research insurance-group methodology; Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (Q1–Q2 2026) for age-band averages and the ~£600 UK average premium. Premium figures on this page are indicative estimates for a typical group 12 vehicle and are not quotes.
Related reading: all insurance groups, the UK car insurance cost index, group 11 and group 13.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team. Last updated: 2026-07-06.
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