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Performance car insurance from 130+ trusted UK insurers. Compare quotes in minutes and find cover that fits your car and your budget.

Compare sports car insurance from specialist UK providers.

Modified car cover from insurers who understand performance.

You could save up to £518* on high-performance car insurance.

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Why Does Performance Car Insurance Cost More?

Performance cars cost more to insure because they're more expensive to repair, more attractive to thieves, and statistically more likely to be involved in claims. But comparing quotes is still the most effective way to find competitive cover for your vehicle.

Higher Repair Costs

Specialist components and technology mean repair bills for performance vehicles can be 2–3x higher than standard cars.

Increased Theft Risk

High-performance models are among the most stolen vehicles in the UK, with keyless relay theft a growing concern.

Statistical Risk

Higher speeds, rapid acceleration, and greater power mean performance cars are more likely to generate costly claims.

For a detailed breakdown of costs by vehicle type and driver profile, see our guide to performance car insurance costs. You can also compare all types of car insurance via Brumble.

Insurance Groups for Popular Performance Cars

Every car sold in the UK is assigned to one of 50 insurance groups by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers. Group 1 is cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. Performance cars typically sit in groups 20 to 50, with premiums rising steeply at the higher end. The table below shows where popular performance and sports cars fall on the scale.

CarTypeInsurance GroupEngineBHP
Hot Hatches (Groups 20-34)
Volkswagen Golf GTIHot Hatch292.0L Turbo245
Ford Focus STHot Hatch282.3L Turbo280
Honda Civic Type RHot Hatch332.0L Turbo329
BMW 128tiHot Hatch272.0L Turbo265
Hyundai i30 NHot Hatch292.0L Turbo280
Toyota GR YarisHot Hatch341.6L Turbo261
Mini JCWHot Hatch302.0L Turbo231
Sports Cars (Groups 30-42)
Mazda MX-5 (2.0)Roadster252.0L NA184
Toyota GR86Coupe302.4L NA234
BMW Z4 M40iRoadster403.0L Turbo340
Porsche 718 CaymanCoupe392.0L Turbo300
Alpine A110Coupe381.8L Turbo252
Lotus Emira (V6)Coupe423.5L V6 SC400
Performance Saloons & SUVs (Groups 35-50)
BMW M3 CompetitionSaloon463.0L Turbo510
Mercedes-AMG C63 SSaloon484.0L V8 Turbo510
Audi RS3Saloon382.5L Turbo400
BMW M5Saloon504.4L V8 Turbo600
Porsche Macan GTSSUV432.9L V6 Turbo440
Supercars (Groups 48-50)
Porsche 911 GT3Supercar504.0L NA510
Ferrari F8 TributoSupercar503.9L V8 Turbo720
Lamborghini HuracanSupercar505.2L V10640
McLaren 720SSupercar504.0L V8 Turbo720
Aston Martin VantageSupercar504.0L V8 Turbo535
Insurance groups for popular performance and sports cars, 2026. Brumble analysis of Thatcham Research insurance group ratings.

Lower insurance groups do not always mean lower premiums. Your age, location, driving history, and how you use the car all factor in. A 20 year old insuring a Golf GTI in group 29 may pay more than a 40 year old insuring a Porsche Cayman in group 39. Always compare quotes to see what you would actually pay.

Brumble analysis of Thatcham Research insurance group ratings, verified May 2026.

Average Insurance Group by Category

Average insurance group by performance car category. Brumble analysis of Thatcham Research group ratings, 2026.
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How to Reduce Performance Car Insurance Costs

There are several effective ways to bring down the cost of insuring a performance car.

1

Install a Thatcham-approved tracker. Could help reduce premiums and may be required for cars valued over £50,000.

2

Park in a locked garage. Secure overnight parking can reduce premiums significantly versus on-street parking.

3

Limit your mileage. If your performance car is a weekend car, low mileage under 5,000 miles per year could help reduce your premium.

4

Build your no claims bonus. Five years of claim-free driving could significantly reduce your premium.

5

Compare specialist and standard insurers. Specialist insurers can sometimes offer better rates for modified vehicles, while standard insurers may be more competitive for factory-standard cars. Always compare both.

6

Consider multi-car insurance. If you have a daily driver plus a performance car, insuring both with one provider could help reduce costs.

7

Declare all modifications. Failing to declare modifications can void your insurance entirely. Always declare every change, no matter how minor.

8

Pay annually. Monthly payments add 20–30% in interest. On a £2,000 performance car policy, that could be an extra £400 to £600.

Most Stolen Performance and Premium Cars in the UK

54,830

Cars reported stolen in the UK in 2025

DVLA, 2025

93%

Of stolen cars taken without using the owner's keys

Tracker, 2025

150 per day

Cars stolen in the UK, one every 10 minutes

DVLA, 2025

Car theft directly affects your insurance premium. Models with high theft rates attract higher premiums, and performance cars are particularly vulnerable due to their value and desirability. While the most frequently stolen car in the UK is the Ford Fiesta (due to sheer numbers on the road), premium and performance models are disproportionately targeted relative to how many are registered.

CarThefts (2024)Insurance GroupTheft Method
Ford Fiesta STPart of 4,446 Fiesta total28Keyless relay, OBD port
BMW 3 Series (inc. M Sport)1,37125-46Keyless relay, CAN bus injection
Mercedes C-Class (inc. AMG)1,12330-48Keyless relay
Range Rover Sport86744-50Keyless relay, signal amplification
Range Rover Evoque1,08732-37Keyless relay
BMW 1 Series (inc. M135i)75316-35Keyless relay, OBD port
Mercedes E-Class (inc. AMG)80235-50Keyless relay
Most stolen premium and performance-relevant models in the UK, 2024. Brumble analysis of DVLA vehicle theft data obtained via Freedom of Information request by What Car?, February 2026.

Brumble analysis of DVLA theft data shows that BMW and Mercedes models dominate the performance car theft statistics, with keyless relay attacks the most common method. Fitting a Thatcham-approved tracker, a steering wheel lock, and storing your car in a locked garage are the most effective steps to reduce both your theft risk and your premium.

Brumble analysis of DVLA vehicle theft data (FOI, What Car?, February 2026). Tracker Network UK, Stolen Vehicle Recovery Report, 2025.

Modified Your Performance Car?

If you have modified your performance car or plan to, every modification must be declared to your insurer. Undeclared modifications can void your policy and lead to rejected claims.

How Modifications Affect Your Premium

ECU remap / engine tune

Significant increase

Increases power output, which moves the car into a higher risk category.

Turbo or supercharger

Significant increase

Major power upgrade treated as a fundamental change to the vehicle.

Sports exhaust system

Moderate increase

Usually cosmetic or minor performance gain, but must still be declared.

Lowered suspension / coilovers

Moderate increase

Changes handling characteristics, some insurers view as increased risk.

Alloy wheels / wider tyres

Moderate increase

Higher replacement cost and can affect handling.

Thatcham-approved alarm or tracker

May reduce premium

Security upgrades are viewed positively by most insurers.

Every modification must be declared to your insurer, no matter how minor. Undeclared modifications can void your policy entirely, meaning any claim would be rejected. For a detailed guide on how specific changes affect your premium, see our car modifications and insurance guide.

Protecting Your Car's True Value

If you have spent money on modifications, a standard market value policy may not reflect what your car is actually worth. Agreed value policies let you and the insurer set a value upfront, which is what you receive if the car is written off.

Agreed Value

You and your insurer agree the car's value upfront. Best for modified cars, rare models, and appreciating classics.

Market Value

Insurer determines value at claim time based on comparable sales. Best for factory-standard cars with easy-to-determine values.

Agreed value car insurance is particularly important for performance cars that may appreciate in value, limited edition models, or cars with extensive modifications. Under an agreed value policy, you and the insurer agree a fixed value for the car at the start of the policy. If the car is written off or stolen, you receive that agreed amount rather than the insurer's market valuation at the time of the claim. This protects owners of rare, classic, or heavily modified vehicles from receiving less than their car is worth.

Choosing the Right Performance Car Policy

Comprehensive Cover

Essential for performance cars. Third party only would leave you massively exposed if a high-value car is written off. Compare comprehensive →

Modification Cover

Specialist insurers typically include up to £5,000 of modifications in the base premium. Standard insurers may charge extra for any changes.

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Performance Car Insurance FAQs

Find answers to common questions about performance car insurance.

Performance cars have higher repair costs, are more attractive to thieves, and are statistically more likely to be involved in costly claims. Insurance groups for performance cars typically range from 20 to 50, compared to 1 to 10 for standard vehicles.
Yes. Every modification must be declared, no matter how minor, including alloy wheels, exhausts, tinted windows, and ECU remaps. Failing to declare modifications can void your policy and result in rejected claims.
Agreed value insurance lets you and your insurer set a fixed value for your car upfront. If the car is written off, you receive that agreed amount rather than whatever the insurer determines at claim time. This is particularly important for modified or rare performance vehicles.
Yes. The high value of performance cars means third party only cover would leave you exposed to significant financial loss if your car is damaged, stolen, or written off. See our comprehensive insurance guide.
Brumble connects you with a comparison tool that searches over 130 UK insurers in minutes, including specialists who understand performance and modified vehicles. The service is free with no obligation.
Costs vary enormously. A Mazda MX-5 in group 25 might cost £400 to £800 per year for an experienced driver, while a Ferrari in group 50 could cost £3,000 to £10,000 or more. Age, location, and driving history are major factors. For a detailed breakdown, see our performance car insurance costs guide.
The Mazda MX-5 is consistently one of the cheapest sports cars to insure, sitting in insurance group 25. The Toyota GR86 (group 30) and BMW Z4 sDrive20i (group 33) are also relatively affordable. Hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI (group 29) and BMW 128ti (group 27) offer performance at lower insurance costs.
Every car sold in the UK is assigned to one of 50 insurance groups by Thatcham Research. You can check your car’s group using the Thatcham Research website or by entering your registration when comparing quotes. Performance cars typically sit in groups 20 to 50.
Yes. A Thatcham-approved tracker can reduce your premium and may be required by some insurers for high-value vehicles over £50,000. Trackers help recover stolen vehicles, which reduces the insurer’s risk.
Keyless relay theft is where criminals use electronic devices to amplify the signal from your key fob, allowing them to unlock and start your car without the physical key. It accounts for 93% of all car thefts in the UK. Performance and premium cars are particularly targeted. A Faraday pouch for your keys and a steering wheel lock are effective countermeasures.
Standard motor insurance does not cover track day use. You need a separate track day insurance policy, which covers damage to your vehicle during circuit driving. Some specialist insurers offer combined road and track policies.
Yes, typically significantly more expensive. Sports cars sit in higher insurance groups due to their performance, repair costs, and theft risk. However, premiums vary widely. A Mazda MX-5 costs far less to insure than a Porsche 911.
Modified car insurance is cover for vehicles that have been changed from their factory specification. This includes performance modifications like ECU remaps, exhausts, and turbo upgrades, as well as cosmetic changes like body kits, alloy wheels, and wraps. All modifications must be declared. Specialist insurers often offer better rates for modified vehicles than standard providers.
Not necessarily. Standard insurers can cover performance cars, but specialist providers often understand the market better and may offer agreed value cover, modification cover, and limited mileage discounts that standard providers do not. Comparing both specialist and standard quotes is the best approach.
Compare quotes from multiple providers including specialists. Fit approved security devices. Store your car in a locked garage. Limit your annual mileage. Build your no claims bonus. Consider a higher voluntary excess. And choose your car carefully, as insurance group makes a significant difference to your premium.

Content produced by

RH

Ryan Hughes

Founder & Director

Ryan is the founder of Brumble and has over a decade of experience in the UK motor finance and insurance industry. He created Brumble to make it easier for UK drivers to understand the insurance and finance world by cutting through the jargon.

Originally published: 1 November 2025 · Last updated: 29 May 2026

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Brumble® is a registered trademark of Be Clear Technologies Limited.

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*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.

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