Car Insurance Group 45: Cars & Cost (2026)
A group 45 car typically costs a mid-range UK driver around £1,600–£2,500+ a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — the group covers powerful performance and luxury models near the top of the 1–50 scale.
What car insurance group 45 means
Every mass-market car sold in the UK is placed in one of 50 insurance groups by the Group Rating Panel, run by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure; group 50 the dearest. Group 45 sits in the top band (41–50), reserved for high-performance and luxury vehicles.
A car lands in group 45 because of some combination of a high purchase value, expensive or slow-to-source parts, long repair times, strong performance and, in some cases, a higher theft risk. In practice that means fast estates and saloons, performance SUVs and premium coupes. Cars first registered from August 2024 also carry a newer 1–99 Vehicle Risk Rating, but the familiar 1–50 group still drives most quotes today.
Crucially, the group is only one rating factor. Your age, postcode, mileage, no-claims history and job usually move the premium far more than the group number alone. For context, the overall UK average comprehensive premium is roughly £600 — so a group 45 car sits well above the typical car, but a settled, older driver can still insure one for far less than a teenager pays.
Group 45 insurance cost by driver age (2026)
The figures below are indicative annual comprehensive premiums for a typical group 45 car, held constant, to isolate the effect of driver age. Real quotes vary widely by postcode, mileage, claims history and the exact model — always compare live quotes.
Source: indicative ranges compiled by Car Insurance Expert from published group-45 sample quotes (Finder) and the Confused.com UK price index (Q1 2026 average ≈£580); band midpoints shown. Group rating: Thatcham Research / ABI. Figures are indicative, not quotes.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (comprehensive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £4,500–£9,000+ | Young, low-experience drivers face the steepest loading on high-group cars; many insurers decline. |
| 25–34 | £2,200–£3,800 | Falls sharply once a no-claims record builds. |
| 35–64 | £1,600–£2,500 | Lowest band for most drivers — settled address, full no-claims, low mileage. |
| 65+ | £1,800–£3,000 | Rises modestly again at older ages on performance models. |
Sources: indicative ranges compiled by Car Insurance Expert from published group-45 sample quotes (Finder) and the Confused.com UK price index (Q1 2026 average ≈£580). Group rating: Thatcham Research / ABI. Figures are indicative, not quotes.
Cars often rated around group 45
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine and model year, so a single nameplate can span several groups. The following are examples of cars whose higher-performance or higher-value trims are often rated around group 45 — always check your specific registration with a group checker.
- Audi RS 4 Avant — the twin-turbo V6 performance estate frequently rates around group 44–45.
- BMW M4 (and M-Sport 4 Series) — top petrol and M trims of the 4 Series span roughly groups 43–45 and above.
- Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 GT — the V8 muscle car sits in the mid-40s on power and repair cost.
- Mercedes-AMG C-Class / GLC — higher-output AMG and top petrol trims commonly land in the mid-40s.
- Range Rover Sport / Porsche Macan (performance trims) — powerful, high-value SUVs often rate in the mid-to-high 40s.
- Jaguar F-Type / F-Pace (higher trims) — V6 and performance versions frequently reach the mid-40s.
Want to compare neighbouring bands? See group 44 and group 46, or browse insurance costs by vehicle make and model.
How to pay less on a group 45 car
- Build and protect your no-claims discount — it is one of the biggest levers on a high-group premium.
- Increase your voluntary excess — a higher excess lowers the premium, if you can afford the excess after a claim.
- Fit and declare an approved (Thatcham-rated) tracker or alarm — security discounts matter more on theft-attractive cars.
- Keep annual mileage honest but low — fewer miles usually means a lower quote; never under-declare.
- Garage or off-street parking — secure overnight parking can meaningfully cut the premium.
- Pay annually rather than monthly — monthly instalments add interest (APR).
- Compare widely and consider a specialist or box policy — telematics can help younger drivers on high-group cars.
See the wider market picture in our UK car insurance cost index.
What does group 45E, 45A or 45D mean?
The letter after “45” is the Thatcham / ABI security rating for that exact model. 45E means the car’s security exceeds what the panel expects for group 45, so it is treated as a group 44 car for security purposes — usually a slightly cheaper premium. 45A is acceptable (no change). 45D means the security doesn’t meet the standard, so it is treated as group 46. P is a provisional rating and U means unacceptable security. The full letter table is on our car insurance groups hub.
Group 45 insurance: common questions
Sources & review
- Thatcham Research & the Association of British Insurers (ABI) — Group Rating Panel methodology.
- Confused.com UK car insurance price index (Q1 2026).
- Finder UK — group 45 sample cars and costs.
Related: all insurance groups · UK car insurance cost index · cost by vehicle · group 44 · group 46.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 16 August 2026
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