The Association of British Insurers (ABI) operates a system of recommended group ratings for cars. Each model is allocated a group number, based on its characteristics. The factors used to calculate group ratings are:
Body Shells
The availability of the basic frame of the car is taken into account in group ratings. This is because they are essential for certain accidental damage repairs.
Car Security
Security features include alarm or immobilisation systems, high security door locks, coded audio equipment, glass etching, locking devices for alloy wheels and visible VIN numbers. If these features are fitted as standard equipment by the manufacturer, they will go towards reducing the cars group rating.
Damage and Parts Costs
This includes the likely extent of damage to the car, and the cost of the parts needed for its repair. The lower these costs, the more likelihood there is of a lower group rating.
New Car Values
The prices of new cars are taken into account as they are often a good guide to the cost of replacement and repair.
Performance
Insurance statistics suggest that cars with fast acceleration and high top speeds often result in more frequent insurance claims.
Repair Times
Longer repair times mean higher costs and the greater likelihood of a higher group rating.
Group ratings are recommendations only, and although insurers will often use these ratings as a major influence on their underwriting process, they will also take account their own claims experience to guide their pricing decisions.
The following table shows some example group ratings:
There can be a significant spread of groups within a particular model range. For example, a 1.25 Fiesta Zetec is rated as Group 3, whereas the sporty 2.0 litre Fiesta ST is far higher up the scale, at Group 13.
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