Is 16e a High Insurance Group for Cars?

Car insurance groups range from 1 to 50, with group 1 being the cheapest to insure and group 50 being the most expensive. So where does group 16e fall on this scale, and is it considered high?

Group 16e sits around the middle of the range and contains family cars, hatchbacks and crossovers that are moderately priced to insure. While not the cheapest, group 16e vehicles are still on the affordable end for insurance.

What is Car Insurance Group 16e?

• Car insurance groups are categories from 1 to 50 that insurers use to calculate premiums. The group reflects factors like repair costs, value and safety.

• Group 16e is in the middle section of the groups. It contains vehicles like hatchbacks, crossovers, MPVs and some premium models.

• Insurers consider cars in group 16e to represent an average risk. Premiums are moderately priced compared to both lower and higher groups.

• While not the cheapest vehicles to insure, group 16e cars are still on the lower end of the scale and affordable for many drivers.

• The ‘e’ refers to cars fuelled by electricity or electrified powertrains. So group 16e contains electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars.

Is Group 16e High for Insurance?

Group 16e sits around the middle of the car insurance group scale from 1 to 50. Here’s how it compares to other groups:

• Groups 1-10 are the cheapest cars to insure. These include small city cars and basic hatchbacks with small engines.

• Groups 11-25 cover popular family cars like hatchbacks, crossovers and some executive models. Insurance costs are moderate.

• Groups 16e up to around 25 are the middle segment, with average insurance premiums.

• Groups 26-39 include premium and luxury vehicles, sports cars, performance models and large 4X4s. Insurance starts getting more expensive.

• Groups 40-50 contain the most expensive cars to insure like supercars, high-end SUVs and sports models.

So group 16e is just on the border of the lowest third of groups and middle third. While not inexpensive, it isn’t considered high or expensive compared to higher groups.

What Cars Are in Group 16e?

Group 16e mostly contains family hatchbacks, crossovers, MPVs and some premium brand vehicles with electrified powertrains. Popular models include:

• BMW 330e – Plug-in hybrid executive sedan
• Hyundai Ioniq – Hybrid and electric hatchback
• Kia Niro – Hybrid and plug-in hybrid crossover
• Mercedes A 250e – Plug-in hybrid premium hatchback
• Nissan Leaf – Electric hatchback
• Peugeot 3008 Hybrid – Plug-in hybrid SUV
• Renault Zoe – Electric supermini
• Toyota Prius – Hybrid hatchback
• Volkswagen Golf GTE – Plug-in hybrid hatchback

While electrified vehicles were once rare, most major brands now offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric models. So group 16e has grown to contain a wide range of eco-friendly family transportation options.

What Affects a Car’s Insurance Group?

The main factors that determine a car’s insurance group include:

• Vehicle value – More expensive cars have higher groups as claims are more costly for insurers.

• Repair costs – Vehicles with higher parts and labour costs are placed in higher groups.

• Engine size – More powerful engines increase premiums so tend to be in higher groups.

• Safety rating – Cars with 5-star safety ratings can get lower group placement.

• Security features – Alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices reduce risk so lower the group.

• Performance – Fast acceleration and high top speeds raise the risk and insurance group.

• Claims data – Models that have higher loss ratios get placed in higher groups.

So group 16e cars strike a balance between affordability, moderate performance, decent safety and low repair costs. This puts them in the middle of the insurance group spectrum.

How to Get a Good Insurance Deal

• Choose cars in lower insurance groups when possible. This will help keep premiums affordable.

• Opt for models with good safety ratings and plenty of security features. These reduce risk so can lower the group.

• Avoid high-performance engines and modifications which increase groups.

• Reduce your mileage where possible. Lower annual mileage means cheaper premiums.

• Shop around and compare quotes. Rates vary between insurers so check deals carefully.

• Consider telematics policies. Your driving behaviour could push you into a lower risk bracket for big savings.

• Boost your voluntary excess. This can shave money off premiums. Just ensure you can afford the higher excess if needed.

• See if any discounts apply like multi-policy, multi-car or membership deals. Every saving helps.

While group 16e represents an average insurance risk, there are still ways to get an affordable premium. So you can enjoy driving these popular electrified models for less.

Is Group 16e Cheap or Expensive to Insure?

Group 16e sits around the middle of the 1 to 50 insurance groups used by insurers. Here’s how average premium costs compare for group 16e versus other groups:

Drivers in higher risk categories like young drivers or those with convictions tend to pay more across all groups. But this gives a general idea of how group 16e compares cost-wise:

• Group 16e is more affordable than mid-range groups like 25 upwards.

• It’s pricier than the cheapest groups 1-15.

• But with average premiums around £650, group 16e cars are still reasonably priced for many motorists.

So while not the cheapest, group 16e vehicles offer a good middle ground of affordable premiums while allowing access to greener hybrid and electric cars.

Which Rating Factors Keep Group 16e Premiums Moderate?

Several factors help keep insurance costs at a reasonable middle ground for group 16e cars:

1. Lower repair costs – Hybrid components can be pricier to replace. But overall repair costs are still moderate compared to higher groups.

2. Decent safety – Most group 16e models have good Euro NCAP safety ratings thanks to modern chassis design and airbags.

3. Reduced theft risk – Hybrid cars have fewer easily removable components than conventional petrol/diesel vehicles. This cuts theft appeal.

4. Medium performance – While no slouches, group 16e cars aren’t high powered premium models with very large engines.

5. Telematics eligibility – Many insurers offer telematics policies for hybrid/electric cars. This allows lower premiums for safe driving.

6. Eco-friendly appeal – Insurers may offer discounts on hybrid and electric cars to support their environmental benefits.

While not among the very cheapest groups, these factors all help group 16e cars secure affordable premium pricing for most drivers.

The Verdict

Group 16e sits in the middle section of the 1-50 insurance groups, with average premiums around £650 annually. This places it on the lower end of the scale, but not among the cheapest groups.

With inviting models from top brands, group 16e offers a great blend of greener driving and moderate insurance costs. For budget-minded buyers seeking an electrified vehicle, group 16e represents a smart middle ground.

While premiums are a bit pricier than the most affordable groups, group 16e cars strike an ideal balance for family motorists. Overall, group 16e is not considered high or expensive to insure.