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Performance cars deliver driving excitement, but they also come with significantly higher insurance premiums. Whether you own a hot hatch, sports car, or modified vehicle, understanding why performance car insurance costs more – and how to reduce those costs – is essential for managing your motoring budget. This guide explains everything UK owners of high-performance vehicles need to know about getting the right cover at the best price.
In insurance terms, a performance car typically refers to vehicles with:
Common examples include:
Performance vehicles use specialist components, materials, and technology that are expensive to repair or replace. According to Thatcham Research, the average cost to repair damage on performance vehicles can be 2-3 times higher than standard vehicles:[3]
Even minor accident damage can result in repair bills of £5,000-£15,000+, compared to £2,000-£5,000 for standard vehicles.[4]
High-performance cars are attractive targets for thieves. According to data from the DVLA and police forces, performance models consistently appear among the most stolen vehicles in the UK:[5]
Models like BMW M3s, Range Rover Sports, and Audi RS models are consistently among the most stolen vehicles in the UK.[7]
Insurance industry data shows performance cars are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents due to:[8]
Performance car owners often include younger or less experienced drivers who haven't yet developed advanced car control skills. Research by the Association of British Insurers indicates that drivers of high-performance vehicles are statistically more likely to make claims within the first year of ownership.[9]
Performance car insurance premiums vary widely based on the specific model, your age, location, and driving history. Here are typical annual premiums for popular performance cars based on aggregated quote data from UK comparison platforms:[10][11]
| Vehicle | Insurance Group | Average Premium (Age 30+, 5yr NCB) | Average Premium (Age 25-29, 2yr NCB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta ST | 29-31 | £900-£1,400 | £1,800-£2,800 |
| VW Golf GTI | 27-30 | £1,000-£1,600 | £2,000-£3,200 |
| BMW M3 | 42-50 | £1,800-£3,000 | £4,000-£6,500+ |
| Audi RS3 | 40-45 | £1,600-£2,600 | £3,500-£5,500 |
| Porsche 911 | 45-50 | £1,500-£2,800 | £3,800-£6,000+ |
| Nissan GT-R | 50 | £2,500-£4,500 | £6,000-£10,000+ |
Premiums assume clean driving record, secure parking, and comprehensive cover. Younger drivers (under 25) or those with claims/convictions will pay significantly more.
If you've modified your performance car – or plan to – declaring modifications is legally required under the Road Traffic Act 1988[12] and affects your premium:
Research by Adrian Flux shows performance modifications typically increase premiums by 20-50% depending on the extent of changes:[13]
Thatcham Research-approved security devices can reduce premiums by 5-15%:[14]
CRITICAL: Failing to declare modifications can void your insurance entirely, meaning claims are rejected and you could face prosecution for driving uninsured under the Road Traffic Act.[12] The Association of British Insurers reports that undeclared modifications are a factor in approximately 5% of rejected claims.[15] Always declare ALL modifications, no matter how minor they seem.
Companies focusing specifically on high-performance and modified vehicles often offer:[16]
Specialist insurers include A-Plan, Adrian Flux, Keith Michaels, Sky Insurance, and Performance Direct.
Mainstream insurers may be competitive for:
If you use your performance car as a weekend toy rather than daily transport, make this clear. Low annual mileage (under 5,000 miles) can reduce premiums by 10-25% according to specialist insurer data.[17]
Recognized driving qualifications can reduce performance car insurance significantly:[20]
Always get quotes from both types. Research by Which? Money found that specialist insurers can be 30-40% cheaper for modified vehicles, while standard insurers sometimes offer better rates for factory-standard performance cars.[21]
Higher voluntary excess reduces your premium, though consider whether you could afford £500-£1,000 out-of-pocket if claiming. For high-value performance cars, excesses of £1,000-£2,500 aren't uncommon.
Your no claims discount applies regardless of what car you drive. Five years of claim-free driving typically provides 60-75% discount.[22] This accumulated discount significantly offsets the higher base premium of performance vehicles.
If you have a daily driver plus a performance car, insuring both with one insurer on a multi-car policy can reduce costs by 10-25% overall according to major insurers.[23]
Pay your premium annually rather than monthly to avoid interest charges (typically 20-30% APR),[24] saving £200-400 on a £2,000 policy.
Comprehensive cover is essential for performance cars – their value means third party only would leave you massively exposed to loss.
For modified, rare, or appreciating classic performance cars, agreed value policies provide crucial protection.[16]
Check what modifications are covered as standard vs requiring additional premium. Specialist insurers typically include up to £5,000 of modifications in the base premium, while standard insurers may charge for any changes.[13]
Standard policies exclude track use under FCA regulations.[25] If you plan circuit days, you'll need either:
After an accident, will you receive a like-for-like performance car or a basic runabout? Policies vary significantly – specialist insurers more commonly offer performance-level courtesy cars.[16]
Ready to find competitive insurance for your performance vehicle? The comparison service includes both mainstream and specialist insurers, giving you access to over 130 companies in one quick search. Whether your car is standard or modified, it can help you find cover that protects your investment.
*51% of consumers could save £518.14 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next four cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd's insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from June 2025 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.
Your no claims bonus lasts up to 2 years without insurance. Learn how to protect your NCD when selling your car or taking a driving break. Get proof before you cancel.
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Find answers to common questions about car insurance.
Insurers typically class a car as a performance vehicle if it has over 200 brake horsepower, sits in insurance group 20 or above, or can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 to 7 seconds. Cars with performance badges like ST, GTI, Type R, AMG, M Sport, or RS are usually included. Sports car designs like two-seater roadsters and coupes also fall into this category, even if the power output is more modest.
Performance car insurance costs more for several reasons. Repair costs are significantly higher because of specialist parts, powerful engines, and advanced technology. High-performance cars are also more attractive to thieves, with models like the BMW M3 and Audi RS consistently among the most stolen vehicles in the UK. Statistically, performance cars are more likely to be involved in accidents due to higher speeds and the skill required to handle more powerful vehicles.
Yes, you must declare all modifications to your insurer. This is a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act. Failing to declare modifications can void your policy entirely, meaning any claims will be rejected and you could face prosecution for driving without valid insurance. This applies to performance upgrades like engine remaps, exhausts, and suspension changes, as well as cosmetic modifications like alloy wheels, body kits, and window tinting.
Modified car insurance typically costs 20% to 50% more than insuring a standard vehicle, depending on the type and extent of modifications. Performance modifications like engine remaps, turbo upgrades, and exhaust changes usually have the biggest impact on premiums. Security modifications like Thatcham-approved trackers and alarms can actually reduce your premium by 5% to 15%. Specialist insurers often offer better rates for modified cars than mainstream providers.
Agreed value insurance means you and your insurer agree on your car's value when you take out the policy. If your car is written off, you receive that agreed amount rather than whatever the insurer decides the market value is at the time of the claim. This is particularly important for modified performance cars, rare models, or classic sports cars where the true value might not be reflected in standard market valuations.
Standard car insurance policies do not cover track day use. If you plan to take your performance car on circuit, you'll need either a policy that includes track day cover, a separate single-day track insurance policy which typically costs between £80 and £200 per event, or a track day add-on to your main policy. Always check your policy documents before driving on a circuit as any damage would not be covered under a standard policy.
Specialist performance car insurers can be 30% to 40% cheaper for modified vehicles compared to mainstream providers. They also offer benefits like agreed value policies, better understanding of modifications, limited mileage discounts, and track day cover options. However, for factory-standard performance cars driven by older drivers with clean records, mainstream insurers can sometimes be competitive. Always compare quotes from both specialist and standard insurers.
There are several ways to lower your performance car insurance premium. Install a Thatcham-approved tracker, which can save 10% to 20% and may be required for cars valued over £50,000. Park in a locked garage rather than on the street. Limit your annual mileage if you use the car as a weekend vehicle. Take an advanced driving course like IAM RoadSmart for discounts of 10% to 25%. Pay annually to avoid interest charges on monthly payments, and build up your no claims bonus over time.
Security devices approved by Thatcham Research can reduce your performance car insurance premium. Category 1 and 2 alarms and immobilisers, Category 5 and 6 GPS tracking devices, and Category 3 steering wheel locks all help lower costs. Parking in a locked garage saves an average of £200 to £500 per year compared to street parking. Storing your keys in a Faraday pouch to prevent relay theft is also recommended, as keyless entry theft accounts for around 90% of high-value car thefts.
Brumble connects you with a comparison tool that searches over 130 UK car insurance providers, including both mainstream insurers and specialists who understand performance and modified vehicles. Simply enter your details once and you'll see quotes from a wide panel of insurers in minutes. Whether your car is factory standard or heavily modified, the service helps you find cover that protects your investment. It's free to use with no obligation to buy.
At Brumble, we cut through the gimmicks and focus on what matters – real quotes from trusted insurers via our partner platform, so you can quickly find the best value cover for your needs.
You could save up to £518*
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