Car Insurance Group 29: Cars & Cost (2026)
A group 29 car typically costs a mid-range UK driver around £800–£1,100 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — these are larger, sportier or premium-badged models sitting in the upper-middle of the 1–50 scale.
What car insurance group 29 means
Every car sold in the UK is placed in one of 50 insurance groups (1 to 50) by the Group Rating Panel, which is administered by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure; group 50 cars are the most expensive. Cars registered from August 2024 also carry a newer 1–99 Vehicle Risk Rating, but the familiar 1–50 group still drives most quotes.
Group 29 sits in the upper-middle of that scale. Cars here are usually bigger family models, warm or hot hatches, or entry-premium German saloons and SUVs. They are pricier to insure than a typical group 10–15 supermini, but well below the group 40+ territory of fast performance cars and luxury flagships. As an indicative guide, a mid-range driver with a clean licence can expect roughly £800–£1,100 a year for comprehensive cover on a group 29 car — though your age, postcode and claims history usually matter far more than the group number itself. For context, the overall UK average premium is around £600.
Indicative group 29 premiums by age band
The single biggest driver of a group 29 quote is the person behind the wheel, not the car. The figures below are indicative annual comprehensive premiums for a group 29 car and are intended for orientation only — your own quote will vary with postcode, mileage, occupation and no-claims history.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 29) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £2,400–£3,300 | Young-driver loading dominates; a black box can cut this sharply |
| 25–34 | £950–£1,300 | Falls quickly as no-claims years build |
| 35–64 | £700–£1,000 | Lowest-risk band; the £800–£1,100 mid-range guide sits here |
| 65+ | £750–£1,150 | Edges up again as age-related risk rises |
Sources: indicative ranges compiled by Car Insurance Expert from Thatcham Research group rating, ABI premium tracking and Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (2026). Figures are illustrative, not quotes.
Cars often rated around group 29
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine, year and options, so the same nameplate can span several groups. The models below are examples frequently found in or around group 29 — always check the specific variant with a group checker before you buy.
- Volkswagen Golf GTI — the 2.0-litre hot-hatch version of the Golf is commonly cited around group 29, well above a standard 1.0-litre Golf.
- Ford Fiesta ST — the performance Fiesta jumps into the high-20s groups, a big step up from an entry Fiesta in the single digits.
- BMW 3 Series — several mid-range petrol and diesel 3 Series trims fall in the high-20s to low-30s groups.
- Audi A4 / A5 — popular executive Audis in mid-power trims sit around this band.
- Range Rover Evoque — the premium compact SUV appears around group 29 in several configurations.
- Volvo XC60 — the mid-size Volvo SUV is frequently rated in this region.
Use our car insurance by vehicle hub to look up cost patterns by make and model, and see how neighbouring bands compare in group 28 and group 30.
How to pay less in group 29
- Increase your voluntary excess — a higher excess usually lowers the premium, provided you could still afford to pay it after a claim.
- Add a low-risk named driver — a more experienced second driver can reduce the average risk on the policy.
- Improve security — a Thatcham-approved alarm or tracker and off-street parking can all help.
- Pay annually, not monthly — monthly instalments carry interest, so paying in one go is cheaper.
- Build and protect no-claims — each claim-free year cuts your premium; consider protecting it.
- Compare early — quote around three weeks before renewal and use comparison sites to benchmark, then check direct-only insurers too.
Group 29 car insurance FAQs
Sources & methodology
Group ratings are set by the Group Rating Panel, administered by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Indicative premium ranges are compiled by Car Insurance Expert with reference to the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index and ABI premium tracking (2026). All figures are illustrative and not quotes. Compare the full scale on our insurance groups hub and the UK car insurance cost index.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 2026-07-06
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