20 November 2025
Van insurance groups explained
9 minutes
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Van insurance groups are a classification system used by insurers to assess risk and calculate van insurance premium costs.
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Factors that determine a van's insurance group include purchase price, performance and engine size, vehicle size and weight, cost of repairs and security.
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In 2026, the current group rating system for vans will be replaced by the more dynamic Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system.
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Other factors that influence premium costs include driver's age, location, driving history and experience.
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Ways to reduce van insurance costs include improving security, increasing voluntary excess and building a no-claims bonus (NCB).
If you're thinking about buying new a van, it's important that you get to grips with van insurance groups before you make any purchase. Van insurance groups are a key factor in determining the overall cost of your premium. But what exactly are van insurance groups?
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about van insurance groups, including how they work, how they affect your van insurance, how to check your van insurance group, and what you can do to bring the cost of your van insurance premiums down.
What's covered
- What are van insurance groups?
- How do van insurance groups work?
- What insurance group is my van in?
- What are van security ratings?
- How will my van insurance group affect what I pay?
- How do I make my van insurance cheaper?
Are you looking for van insurance cover? Get in touch with us! A member of the Howden team would love to help you find a policy that's right for you!
What are van insurance groups?
Just like car insurance groups, van insurance groups are used by insurers to categorise vans based on their risk to help determine insurance premiums. Van insurance groups are administered by Thatcham Research (the UK’s automotive risk intelligence organisation), while official insurance group ratings are determined by a governing panel of experts from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Lloyd’s Market Association.
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How do van insurance groups work?
In 2026 the traditional Group Rating system will be replaced by the new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system. Here's what you need to know:
Group Rating system
Prior to 2016, there were only 20 van insurance groups. Vans were placed in groups 1 to 20, with group 1 being the least expensive to insure and group 20 the most expensive. In 2016, the scale was changed with new vans being placed into groups 21 to 50 to better accommodate the increasing variety of van models and their different specifications and trims, allowing insurers to assess risk with greater precision.
Vans produced after 2016 are placed in groups 21 to 50, with 21 being the least expensive and 50 the most expensive. Essentially, group 20 is the highest insurance group for vans registered before 2016, while group 21 is the lowest and cheapest insurance group for vans registered after this date. The main factors that determine a van's insurance group are:
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The purchase price of the van when bought new.
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The cost of repairs and parts: for example, if the van has a niche component, it will likely cost more to repair or replace, so the van will be put into a higher insurance group.
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Van performance and engine size: vans with more powerful engines and higher top speeds are more likely to be involved in accidents. Therefore, faster and more powerful vans are placed into higher insurance groups.
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The size and weight of the van: larger and heavier vans tend to increase the severity of accidents.
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Security and safety: increased security and safety can have a positive effect on insurance group rating.
Vehicle Risk Rating system (VRR)
In 2026, Thatcham Research will introduce the new Vehicle Risk Rating system (VRR) to replace the former 1-50 Group Rating system, which uses market performance data to capture dynamic factors like technological advancements, sustainability measures, and emerging trends in vehicle theft. Each van will be scored from 1 to 99, indicating lowest to highest risk. This score is based on 125 factors across 5 key areas:
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Performance – Speed, power, and retail price.
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Damageability – How easily the van is damaged in a crash.
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Repairability – Cost and ease of repairs, plus parts availability.
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Safety – Features that help prevent accidents or reduce injury.
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Security – Anti-theft systems and extra security measures.
For now, new and existing vans will continue to use the traditional insurance group rating system. The VRR system is expected to be introduced for new vans in 2026.
What insurance group is my van in?
Your van’s manufacturer can confirm which insurance group your specific model belongs to, but keep in mind that different trim levels or models often fall into separate groups.
You can usually find specification sheets online, and they’re worth checking if you’re comparing several vans. These sheets also give details on pricing, optional extras, and technical specifications, helping you choose the right van for your needs.
Alternatively, you can check your van's insurance group using Thatcham Research's vehicle search tool.
Below is a table showing popular van models and the insurance groups they typically fall into in 2025:
What are van security ratings?
You will also often see a letter after the van insurance group number. The letter denotes the security grading of the vehicle which also influences the insurance group of the van. The security letter ratings are E, A, D, U, P and G. Here's what they mean:
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E - This means that the van “Exceeds” the security requirements for a van of this type. So, a van with an E rating will be in a low insurance group.
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A - This means that the van’s security is “Acceptable”. The van meets the accepted security requirements for a van of its type.
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D - This means that the van “Does not meet security requirements” for a van of this type and the insurance group rating has therefore been increased.
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U - This means that the van’s security is “Unacceptable” and significantly below the requirements of a van of its type. Some insurers may ask for the van’s security to be updated before they are willing to offer cover for it.
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P - This stands for “Provisional” and means that the group rating was incomplete at this model of van’s launch date.
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G - This means that the vehicle is foreign and does not have a security rating as it wasn’t produced in GB.
How will my van insurance group affect what I pay?
Groups and risk ratings assess how costly a claim might be, which is then used by insurers as a factor in determining premium costs. Put simply, the higher the group or rating, the higher the risk, and the more you’ll likely pay. But insurance groups are just one of many factors that affect the overall cost of your premium.
What else affects the cost of van insurance?
Below are six other factors which typically affect van insurance premiums:
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Your age: young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in road accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Vehicle insurance is always more expensive for drivers under 25 and the costs are significantly reduced once you reach 30.
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Your van’s overnight location: if you keep your van parked in a driveway or garage your premiums will be lower than if it is kept out on the street.
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Your driving history: previous or current convictions and claims history can affect the cost of your insurance.
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The van’s security features: security is a key component in impacting the cost of van insurance. If you add more security and safety features, you will likely see a reduction in the cost of your van insurance premium.
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Any modifications you have made: modifications tend to raise the cost of insurance unless they have been made to increase the security of the vehicle.
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The level of cover: deciding whether to buy fully comprehensive or third-party cover will affect the price of your insurance.
How do I make my van insurance cheaper? 10 tips to help you save
1. Opt for a van in a low insurance group
If you haven't bought a van yet, you should aim to buy a van in the lower range of insurance groups to keep costs as low as possible.
2. Improve your van’s security
Thatcham approved security measures (alarm, immobiliser, tracker, steering, gear stick or handbrake locks) can help reduce risk of theft, which could lead to lower premiums.
3. Pay your annual premium up-front
Paying the annual cost of insurance in one go rather than in monthly instalments is usually the cheaper option, since paying monthly often includes added interest.
4. Increase your voluntary excess
A voluntary excess is an extra amount you agree to pay on top of your insurer’s compulsory excess. Choosing a higher voluntary excess usually lowers your premium, but make sure it’s an amount you can afford if you need to claim.
5. Get a black box
A telematics or black box policy installs a device in your car that measures your driving safety. If over a period of time you are recorded to be a safe driver, your premiums will be reduced. However, this also works the other way and careless drivers might see their premiums rise.
6. Park off-street
Where you keep your van overnight can also impact insurance costs. A garage is the safest choice and usually means a lower premium. If that’s not an option, a driveway, private land, or a locked compound is better than parking on the street.
7. Avoid modifications
In most cases, it’s best not to modify your van, as it could increase the risk of theft. The only modifications that could to lower your premium are those aimed at improving safety. They must be industry-approved, and you should inform your insurer before installing them.
8. Choose named drivers carefully
Including experienced drivers as named drivers on your policy may lower your premium, whereas adding younger or inexperienced drivers tends to increase van insurance costs, so choose carefully!
9. Build your no-claims bonus (NCB)
Insurers reward van drivers who avoid making claims by offering a no-claims discount. The longer you go without making a claim, the bigger your potential savings.
10. Speak to a broker
At Howden, talking to a broker means more choice and better value. We search a wide market, access specialist products, and compare van insurance quotes on your behalf, saving you time and money. Our advice is impartial and backed by expertise, so you get cover that fits your business without paying for extras you don’t need.
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Van insurance groups: FAQs
Will my van insurance group change?
Insurance group ratings for vans can change over time, and they can rise or fall depending on various factors.
As new vehicles enter the market and older ones begin to age, their ratings will shift, just as they did under the previous grouping system. The process also factors in the cost of replacement parts and the time required for repairs.
Does the size of my van affect insurance?
Yes, size is a key factor in determining van insurance costs. Larger vans often have higher premiums because they're heavier, harder to manoeuvre and more expensive to repair. They can also cause more damage in an accident, which increases risk for insurers. As such, larger vans tend to fall into higher insurance groups.
Are van insurance groups the same as car insurance groups?
No, van insurance groups are not the same as car insurance groups, although they work on a similar risk-based system. Cars and vans share the principle that lower groups mean cheaper insurance. However, vans have their own grouping system, which changed in 2016. Vans registered before 2016 fall into groups 1–20, while newer vans are rated from 21–50. Both cars and vans will adopt the new VRR system, which was introduced for cars in 2024, while it will be introduced for vans in 2026.
You can also check out our free car insurance group checker here
Are vans more expensive to insure than cars?
Generally, yes. Vans often cost more to insure because they’re larger, heavier, and sometimes more powerful than cars. They can cause greater damage in collisions and are often used for commercial purposes, which greatly increases both risk and premium costs.
Which van has the lowest insurance group?
Small, lightweight vans with modest engines usually sit in the lowest groups. Popular examples include the Citroën Berlingo, Ford Fiesta Van, and Renault Kangoo, which often fall into groups 21–33 under the current system.
Also read: The 10 cheapest vans to insure in 2025
What's the difference between insurance group A and E?
These letters indicate how a vehicle’s security compares to the standard for its group:
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A means the car or van meets the "acceptable" security requirements.
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E means it "exceeds" those requirements, so it’s placed in a lower group than normal, which can reduce premiums.
Which is the lowest insurance group?
The lowest insurance group for vans depends on the registration date:
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Vans registered before 2016: group 1 is lowest.
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Vans registered after 2016: group 21 is lowest.
Is insurance group 5 high or low?
Group 5 is considered low. Cars in this group are relatively cheap to insure, though not as cheap as groups 1–4. They usually have small engines, good safety features, and affordable repair costs. For vans, group 5 only applies to older models (pre-2016), and it’s still on the lower end of the scale.
More resources
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