Auto Insurance Class 28: What Does It Mean?

When it comes to auto insurance, there are several factors that determine the cost of your premium. One of the most important factors is the insurance group that your car falls under, which is based on the risk level associated with the vehicle. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) assigns insurance groups ranging from 1 to 50, with lower numbers indicating cheaper insurance costs. Vehicles in insurance group 28 typically cost slightly above average to insure due to various factors such as security features, safety ratings, and engine power. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as age, location, and driving history, also play a significant role in determining insurance premiums. Understanding these factors can help individuals make informed decisions when choosing a vehicle and selecting the appropriate insurance coverage.

Class 28 is for slightly more expensive cars to insure

When it comes to auto insurance, vehicles are assigned an insurance group from 1 (cheapest) to 50 (most expensive). This helps determine the cost of car insurance premiums. Cars in insurance group 28 typically cost slightly above average to insure. The cars in this group usually score well on factors used to determine the ratings, such as security features, safety ratings, and less powerful engines. However, they may be lacking in some areas, such as the cost of sourcing parts, which contributes to their higher insurance group.

The BMW 1 Series Hatchback, Range Rover Evoque SUV, and Mazda MX-5 are some examples of vehicles in insurance group 28. These cars offer a range of safety and security features, contributing to their position in group 28. For instance, the BMW 1 Series includes a heads-up display and auto emergency braking, while the Range Rover Evoque SUV has a system that alerts the driver if they're becoming tired.

While insurance group 28 cars tend to have good safety and security features, there are other factors that can impact insurance costs. The cost of parts and labour for repairs can affect insurance groups, with higher parts prices or labour rates contributing to higher insurance costs. Additionally, the vehicle's performance, such as acceleration and top speed, is also considered when determining insurance groups.

It's worth noting that insurance groups are not the only factor in determining insurance costs. Individual circumstances, such as age, driving experience, parking location, and residential address, also play a significant role in calculating insurance quotes. Insurers use their judgement and experience to set premiums, and certain vehicles may attract higher premiums due to their reputation or past claims experience.

In summary, insurance group 28 is for slightly more expensive cars to insure. While these vehicles generally have good safety and security features, other factors such as parts costs and vehicle performance can contribute to their position in this insurance group. Individual circumstances and insurer judgements also play a role in determining the final insurance costs.

Factors include safety, security and engine power

Vehicle class is one of the elements that affect how much auto insurance costs. Insurance companies use the classification system to assess the risk of covering a certain vehicle. This is because larger and heavier vehicles often cause greater damage in collisions and cost more to repair.

Factors that influence vehicle class include safety, security, and engine power. Vehicles with advanced safety features, such as lane departure warnings and automatic emergency braking, may qualify for lower insurance rates as they are less likely to be involved in an accident.

When it comes to insurance, vehicles are assigned an insurance group from 1 (cheapest) to 50 (most expensive). Cars in insurance group 28 typically cost slightly above average to insure. These vehicles usually score well in factors such as security features, car safety ratings, and possessing less powerful engines.

Security features play a crucial role in determining insurance costs. The letters assigned to each insurance group indicate the level of security features on the vehicle. For example, group 28E indicates that the vehicle surpasses the security requirements, resulting in a lower insurance rating. In contrast, group 28D indicates that the vehicle falls short of the security requirements, leading to a higher insurance rating.

In addition to vehicle class, other factors that impact insurance premiums include engine type and capacity. Larger engines are more expensive to repair or replace, resulting in higher insurance costs. Driver location is another factor, as the likelihood of car theft or damage varies across different areas.

It's important to note that factors such as age, credit history, job, driving history, and no-claims discount also influence insurance premiums. By taking these factors into account and comparing different policies, individuals can find the most suitable insurance plan for their needs.

Insurers also consider age, location and driving history

When it comes to insurance, vehicles are assigned a rating from 1 to 50, with 1 being the cheapest to insure and 50 the most expensive. Cars in insurance group 28 typically cost slightly above average to insure. Insurers also take into account other factors, such as age, location, and driving history, so it's important to compare policies to find one that suits your needs.

Age

Age plays a significant role in determining insurance rates, as younger and older drivers tend to pay more for car insurance. This is due to a lack of driving experience among younger drivers and weaker vision and motor skills among older drivers. The likelihood of making a claim is statistically higher for these age groups, resulting in higher premiums.

Location

Your location can significantly impact your insurance rates. Insurers use previous claims data to calculate the likelihood of your car being stolen or damaged based on your location. Urban areas, particularly those with high population densities, tend to have higher insurance rates. Additionally, state laws for minimum-liability insurance vary, affecting pricing. For example, a 30-year-old in central London may pay significantly more for insurance than someone of the same age in Newcastle.

Driving History

Insurers also consider your driving history when determining insurance rates. Accidents, traffic violations, and claims can result in higher premiums. Insurance companies typically look back at the previous three to five years of your driving record, and even a single accident or speeding ticket can increase your rates. DUI charges tend to stay on your record the longest, up to ten years in some states.

The class of use also affects insurance costs

When it comes to auto insurance, the class of use is an important factor that can significantly impact the cost of your insurance premium. The class of use refers to how you intend to use your vehicle, whether it's for social and domestic purposes, commuting, or business use. Here's how the class of use can affect your insurance costs:

Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP)

This class of use covers day-to-day, non-work-related driving. It includes activities such as shopping, visiting friends and family, and running errands. Insurers consider this class of use to be lower risk, as drivers in this category typically spend less time on the road and avoid rush hour traffic. As a result, SDP insurance is usually the cheapest option.

Social, Domestic, Pleasure, and Commuting (SDP+C)

The SDP+C class includes all the activities covered by SDP, but also allows for commuting to a permanent workplace. This can include driving to a train station for your commute or driving someone else to their work location. Since commuting adds more miles to your journey and increases the risk of accidents, especially during rush hour, this class of use tends to be more expensive than SDP.

Business Use (SDPC + Business Use)

Business use insurance is designed for those who use their vehicles for work-related purposes, such as driving to multiple work locations, meeting clients, or transporting light goods. This class of use is further divided into three categories:

• Class 1 Business Use: Covers driving to multiple workplaces and may also include the spouse as a named driver.
• Class 2 Business Use: Similar to Class 1 but also includes another named driver connected to the business.
• Class 3 Business Use: Designed for those who spend a significant amount of time on the road, such as salespeople or community healthcare workers. It covers long-distance driving and light goods transportation.

Business use insurance is generally more expensive than SDP or SDP+C because of the increased mileage, time spent on the road, and higher risk associated with business-related driving.

Commercial or Specialist Business Insurance

Some professions, such as taxi drivers, delivery drivers, or driving instructors, require commercial or specialist business insurance. This type of insurance is necessary when driving is the primary occupation, and it often includes additional coverages such as public liability insurance. Commercial insurance is typically more expensive due to the higher usage and risk involved.

It's important to note that the class of use is just one factor that affects insurance costs. Other factors, such as your age, location, driving history, vehicle type, and safety features, also play a significant role in determining your insurance premium.

Vehicle type, size and weight influence insurance rates

When it comes to auto insurance, vehicle classification plays a significant role in determining the cost of your insurance premiums. Insurance companies categorise vehicles into different classes based on their type, size, and weight, which helps them assess the risk associated with insuring a particular vehicle.

Here's how vehicle type, size, and weight influence insurance rates:

Vehicle Type

The type of vehicle you drive can significantly impact your insurance premiums. Insurance companies classify vehicles into categories such as sedans, coupes, SUVs, vans, trucks, and luxury vehicles. The class of your vehicle is an important factor in determining the cost and likelihood of insurance claims.

For example, SUVs and trucks often fall into higher insurance classes compared to sedans because of their larger size and weight. As a result, insurance for these vehicles tends to be more expensive. Luxury vehicles, due to their high-end features and performance, also typically cost more to insure.

Vehicle Size

The size of your vehicle is another factor that influences insurance rates. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, tend to cause greater damage in collisions due to their size and weight. This increased potential for damage is reflected in higher insurance premiums. On the other hand, smaller vehicles, like compact cars or hatchbacks, often fall into lower insurance classes and are generally less expensive to insure.

Vehicle Weight

The weight of a vehicle is also a critical factor in insurance rates. Heavier vehicles, such as large SUVs or pickup trucks, tend to inflict more serious injuries and damage in accidents compared to lighter vehicles. Therefore, the insurance premiums for heavier vehicles are usually higher to account for the potential cost of claims.

It's important to note that while vehicle type, size, and weight are crucial factors, they are not the only determinants of insurance rates. Other factors, such as safety features, engine size, driver age, location, and driving record, also play a significant role in calculating insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider a comprehensive set of variables to assess the risk associated with insuring a particular vehicle and its driver.

Frequently asked questions