Average car insurance premiums across the UK are holding steady, registering just a marginal change from £529.70 to £528.29 between February and March, according to a recent analysis by Admiral Insurance.
However, astute parents looking for a comfortable ride for the whole family could pay just slightly above £300 annually – saving them more than £100 in auto insurance costs – by choosing the right car model.
Car premium prices have dropped to a six-year low, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), following the implementation of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rule banning insurers from charging existing customers more than new clients. But with living costs across the country rising, families can benefit from every pound they save.
The choice of a vehicle plays a vital part in calculating premiums, along with a range of other factors, including a motorist’s age, address, and driving history. To find out which family cars are the cheapest to insure, Admiral analysed data from five million customer inquiries based on region, lifestyle, and vehicle type.
Small and mid-sized SUVs dominate the rankings, bannered by Škoda’s Karoq and Kamiq, Volkswagen T-Roc, and SEAT Arona. Budget-friendly crossovers Dacia Duster and MG ZS also made the top 10. These are the ones that came up on top of the Cardiff-headquartered insurer’s list.
Lowest car insurance group: 11*
Highest car insurance group: 17*
Average annual premiums: £307.42
Percentage difference from national average: -41.8%
Although sporting a more coupe-like profile, the Ford Puma offers enough space for a small family, where adults and teens can sit comfortably in the rear seats. Another family-friendly feature of this compact crossover is the “megabox.” Situated beneath the main boot floor, this functions as an 80-litre storage box, upping the vehicle’s total boot space to 456 litres.
All Pumas, except for the ST model, are powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a mild-hybrid system, which according to Ford delivers 20% more responsiveness and 10% greater efficiency. With this system, the car manufacturing giant says the Puma can return up to 52.3 miles per gallon (mpg), while limiting CO2 emissions to 122 grams per kilometre (g/km).
Lowest car insurance group: 1*
Highest car insurance group: 17*
Average annual premiums: £308.02
Percentage difference from national average: -41.7%
The smallest car on the list, the Volkswagen Up! runs on a three-cylinder engine that can achieve up to 55mpg. It is a capable vehicle for driving around town and the occasional motorway trip. The VW Up! also provides a comfortable ride as it can absorb most poor road surfaces.
Lowest car insurance group: 10*
Highest car insurance group: 25*
Average annual premiums: £319.06
Percentage difference from national average: -39.6%
The Škoda Karoq is a good choice for families looking for a spacious car that’s not too costly to run. One of the stand-out features of this vehicle is its VarioFlex rear seats, which can slide back and forth, opening from 479 to 588 litres of boot space. Its tall roofline also allows enough headroom. Petrol units run on a 1.0-litre 109bhp or 1.5-litre TSI 148bhp engine, both of which can return more than 40mpg and have CO2 emissions ranging from 133 to 152g/km.
Read more: Which are the safest new cars in the UK?
Lowest car insurance group: 12*
Highest car insurance group: 40*
Average annual premiums: £322.58
Percentage difference from national average: -38.9%
A bigger version of the classic MINI Cooper, the Clubman offers about 1.8 metres of extra space families need. The base model is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 134bhp. Car reviews say that it takes almost nine seconds for the vehicle to reach 60mph, but “what the Clubman lacks in start-up acceleration it makes up for in power,” which is essential for families hauling gear or equipment.
Lowest car insurance group: 9*
Highest car insurance group: 22*
Average annual premiums: £331.48
Percentage difference from national average: -37.2%
One of the more affordable vehicles on the list, the Dacia Duster is described by online marketplace Heycar.co.uk as “[doing] almost exactly the same job as more expensive alternatives but with less of the fuss.” It offers a generous amount of headroom and space for three adults in the rear. Boot space is 445 litres, bigger than some of its rivals. Models running on a 1.3-litre TCe 130 petrol engine is the best choice for families looking for excellent refinement with low running costs, according to Heycar.
Lowest car insurance group: 9*
Highest car insurance group: 20*
Average annual premiums: £336.45
Percentage difference from national average: -36.3%
The Škoda Kamiq offers plenty of space in the cabin for a family of four. Although it does not have sliding rear seats like other vehicles on the list, Kamiq provides 400 litres of boot space, which increases to 539 litres when these seats are folded down. Models running on 1.6-litre TDI engine deliver the best fuel economy, but according to Heycar.co.uk, units powered by a 95PS 1.0-litre engine provides the lowest premiums.
Lowest car insurance group: 10*
Highest car insurance group: 15*
Average annual premiums: £338.88
Percentage difference from national average: -35.8%
The MG ZS is a budget-friendly small family SUV that provides passengers plenty of cabin room. It also offers 448 litres of boot space and, if the back seats are folded down, can fit a bike with the wheels attached. Families can choose between the 1.0-litre turbo petrol model, which suits driving around town, and the 1.5-litre petrol unit for those planning plenty of motorway trips.
Lowest car insurance group: 12*
Highest car insurance group: 34*
Average annual premiums: £340.03
Percentage difference from national average: -35.6%
The Volkswagen T-Roc offers a lot of storage room a family needs with 445-litres of boot space. It also features an easy-to-navigate infotainment system with a centralised 8-inch touchscreen.
The entry petrol versions run on a 1.0-litre petrol engine with 110 or 150hp, with the option for a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. Each can achieve a return of up to 50mpg.
Lowest car insurance group: 9*
Highest car insurance group: 19*
Average annual premiums: £341.81
Percentage difference from national average: -35.3%
Online marketplace Carwow.co.uk describes the SEAT Arona as “safe, solid, and a good all-rounder liked by many, but there are bolder choices to be made.” The vehicle offers 400 litres of boot space and plenty of headroom at the front and back. There are three petrol versions to choose from – 95hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder, 115hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder motor that can be linked with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG auto, and 150hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit and DSG that can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 8.2 seconds.
Lowest car insurance group: 12*
Highest car insurance group: 23*
Average annual premiums: £345.90
Percentage difference from national average: -34.5%
The Suzuki Vitara provides 375 litres of boot space with the rear seats raised, the smallest among all vehicles on the list. However, it offers plenty of space around the seats, allowing passengers to move comfortably. All models run a four-cylinder 1.4-litre mild hybrid engine that generates 129hp. Families can choose between a two- and a four-wheel-drive version, which can manage up to 49.7 and 45.4mpg, respectively.
*Data from Parkers.co.uk
