Car Insurance Group 39: Cars & Cost (2026)
A group 39 car typically costs a mid-range UK driver around £1,100–£1,600 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — well above the ~£600 UK average, because group 39 sits high on the 1–50 scale.
What car insurance group 39 means
Every new car sold in the UK is placed into one of 50 insurance groups (1–50). Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure; group 50 cars are the dearest. Group 39 sits firmly in the higher-cost band — the territory of premium hatchbacks and saloons, larger SUVs, sportier trims and many electric vehicles. It is not the most expensive tier, but it is roughly four-fifths of the way up the scale.
The ratings are set by the Group Rating Panel, run jointly by Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI). They weigh five main factors: the cost of parts, repair times, new-car value, performance (power and speed) and security features. A car lands in group 39 when those factors combine to make claims relatively expensive to settle. Cars registered from August 2024 also carry the newer 1–99 Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR), but the familiar 1–50 group still drives most quote engines.
Crucially, the group is only one input. Your age, postcode, annual mileage, no-claims history and job usually move the premium far more than the group number itself. See how group 39 compares across the whole range on our all insurance groups hub, or search by car on the by vehicle pages.
Indicative group 39 premiums by driver age (2026)
The figures below are indicative estimates for a typical group 39 car with comprehensive cover, average mileage and a clean licence. They are modelled from published market averages, not live quotes — your own price will differ. Young drivers pay the most; premiums fall sharply after 25.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 39) | Rough monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 (new / young) | £2,600–£3,800 | £217–£317 |
| 25–34 | £1,400–£2,000 | £117–£167 |
| 35–64 (lowest risk) | £1,100–£1,600 | £92–£133 |
| 65+ | £1,300–£1,900 | £108–£158 |
Sources: Indicative estimates by Car Insurance Expert, modelled from the Confused.com/WTW Car Insurance Price Index (Q1–Q2 2026), Thatcham Research group-rating methodology and ABI premium data. Figures are illustrative for a group 39 vehicle and are not quotes.
Cars often rated around group 39
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine, model year and battery size, so the same nameplate can span several groups. The models below are frequently rated in or around group 39 in 2026 — treat them as representative, and always check the specific version you are pricing.
- Audi Q5 / A6 — premium SUVs and executive saloons in higher trims commonly sit in the high-30s groups.
- BMW 3 Series / 4 Series — sportier petrol and diesel variants routinely land around groups 37–40.
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class / GLC — larger-engine and AMG-Line trims are often grouped in the high 30s.
- Land Rover Defender / Discovery — costly parts and high values push many versions into this band.
- Volvo XC60 / XC90 — larger SUV trims (including plug-in hybrids) frequently appear around group 39.
- Porsche Macan / Ford Mustang — performance and value combine to place several versions in the high-30s to low-40s.
Move one step either way to compare: group 38 (slightly cheaper) or group 40 (slightly dearer).
How to pay less in group 39
You cannot change your car’s group without changing the car, but you can still cut the premium:
- Increase your voluntary excess — a higher excess usually lowers the annual price, provided you could afford it at claim time.
- Add an experienced named driver — a low-risk second driver can reduce the average risk (never “front” the policy — that is fraud).
- Fit an approved tracker or use secure parking — security is one of the five rating factors and can help on high-value cars.
- Consider telematics (black box) — especially valuable for under-25s facing the top figures in the table above.
- Pay annually, not monthly — monthly instalments carry interest, often 20–30% APR.
- Shop around 20–26 days before renewal — the cheapest quotes cluster in that window; never auto-renew without comparing.
Group 39 car insurance FAQs
Yes, relatively. Group 39 is near the top of the 1–50 scale, so it is more expensive than average. A mid-range driver might pay roughly £1,100–£1,600 a year for comprehensive cover on a group 39 car, against a UK average of about £600. It is still cheaper than the highest groups (45–50), which cover supercars and top-end performance models.
Thatcham Research and the ABI rate cars on five factors: the cost of replacement parts, how long repairs take, the car’s new value, its performance (power and top speed), and its security features. Faster, pricier cars with costly parts land in higher groups like 39.
Use a free group checker from Compare the Market, MoneySuperMarket or Thatcham’s own vehicle lookup, and enter your registration or exact make, model and trim. Because groups vary by version, always check the specific car you own or plan to buy rather than relying on the model name alone.
Yes. Choosing a lower-powered trim of the same model, or a car in a lower group, can cut premiums significantly. Dropping to group 38 or lower — or moving into the teens and 20s — usually saves money. Compare the full range on our all insurance groups page.
No. The group is only a starting point. Your age, postcode, annual mileage, occupation, no-claims discount and claims history often move the premium more than the group itself. A group 39 car can be affordable for a low-risk driver in a low-risk area, yet costly for a new driver in a city.
EVs often carry high new-car values, expensive battery and drivetrain parts, and strong performance — all factors that push them into higher groups. Specialist repair requirements can also lengthen repair times, which raises the rating. That is why several premium EVs and hybrids sit around group 39.
Sources & review
Group ratings and methodology: Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Premium averages: the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (2026). Compare the full scale on our insurance groups hub and the UK car insurance cost index. Premium figures on this page are indicative estimates, not quotes.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team. Last updated: 2026-07-06.
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