| ★ TL;DR TL;DR: Honda vehicles span Thatcham insurance groups 8 to 40, Jazz and HR-V in groups 8 to 22, Civic in groups 15 to 35, Civic Type R at groups 35 to 40. Honda's strong UK reliability record, consistently top-three in JD Power satisfaction data, moderates claim frequency relative to equivalently priced competitors. Hybrid Honda models (CR-V, HR-V) are rated as standard ICE vehicles for insurance without EV-class loading. UK average motor premium: £622 (ABI Q4 2025). |
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026
Honda Thatcham insurance groups across the model range
Thatcham Research assigns insurance groups from 1 to 50 to all UK-sold vehicles. Honda's UK model range, centred on the Jazz city car, Civic hatchback and saloon, HR-V compact crossover, and CR-V SUV, occupies a moderate portion of the lower-to-mid range of the Thatcham scale.
The Honda Jazz in its current mild hybrid (e:HEV) configuration occupies Thatcham groups 8 to 18. The base Jazz Elegance variant sits at approximately groups 8 to 12; the Jazz Advance variant at groups 14 to 18. The Jazz's compact dimensions, modest engine output, and lower performance specification produce accessible insurance groups suitable for a wide range of driver profiles including younger and older drivers.
The Honda Civic in its current generation occupies groups 15 to 32. The Civic e:HEV hybrid version sits at approximately groups 18 to 24; the Civic Sport with larger-displacement petrol engine at groups 22 to 32. The Honda Civic Type R, the highest-performance Civic variant, reaches groups 35 to 40, reflecting the 329 bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and performance-oriented specification.
The Honda HR-V in its e:HEV hybrid configuration occupies groups 18 to 24. The CR-V, Honda's largest SUV offering in the UK, spans groups 22 to 32 depending on drivetrain and specification. The CR-V e:HEV two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants sit at the higher end of this range.
Honda's reliability record and its insurance implications
Honda's UK reliability record is one of the strongest among mainstream car manufacturers. JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Studies have consistently placed Honda in the top tier of manufacturer reliability rankings over the 2020 to 2025 period. High reliability translates directly to reduced claim frequency for insurers, vehicles that break down less frequently and require fewer repairs produce fewer mechanical-failure-related incidents.
Within motor insurance underwriting, mechanical reliability contributes to insurance group assessments indirectly: Thatcham Research's group methodology incorporates the availability and cost of parts and the complexity of repairs, both of which benefit Honda's relatively straightforward engineering approach.
The reliability benefit is most visible in older Honda models. A used Honda Jazz or Civic from 2015 to 2020 is statistically less likely to require insurance claims related to mechanical failure or consequential accident damage than a less reliable equivalent, which moderates actuarial risk for insurers and may contribute to slightly more competitive premiums on older Honda vehicles relative to less reliable competitors.
Honda hybrid models: standard ICE insurance treatment
Honda's UK range is predominantly hybrid or mild-hybrid, the Jazz, HR-V, and CR-V are all sold primarily as e:HEV full-hybrid variants. Unlike fully electric vehicles, which attract specific EV-class insurance loadings from Thatcham due to high-voltage battery replacement costs, Honda's e:HEV full-hybrid system uses a self-charging configuration that does not require external charging and does not carry a large plug-in battery pack.
Thatcham Research and UK motor insurers treat Honda e:HEV vehicles as standard internal combustion engine vehicles for insurance group assessment and underwriting purposes, there is no equivalent of the EV battery replacement cost loading applied to Nissan Leaf, BMW i4, or Tesla models. The e:HEV hybrid system is a more complex drivetrain than a standard ICE but does not carry the same scale of battery replacement risk as a large-capacity BEV or PHEV battery.
This means that for drivers comparing a Honda HR-V e:HEV to a Volkswagen ID.3 or a Kia EV6 at similar price points, the Honda e:HEV will typically carry a lower insurance group and lower premium despite being a hybrid model, because the EV-specific battery loading does not apply.
Honda's theft profile and comparison to market
Honda models appear at below-average frequency in ABI vehicle theft data relative to their UK registration volume. The Honda Civic and Jazz do not feature prominently in top-theft-frequency data, in contrast to Ford Fiesta (historical), Volkswagen Golf (older models), or Range Rover.
Contributing factors include Honda's security implementations, immobiliser systems, steering column locks, and alarm configurations across the range that meet or exceed standard security benchmarks, and the relatively lower grey-market demand for Honda parts compared to some higher-volume or higher-prestige brands.
The lower theft profile contributes to moderating the theft-risk component of Honda's Thatcham group assessments, particularly beneficial for older models where basic security measures are the primary protection.
Finding competitive Honda insurance
For standard Jazz, HR-V, and Civic variants, mainstream direct motor insurance comparison produces competitive results without specialist broker access. All major direct brands will quote Honda models within the standard group range without hesitation.
For Civic Type R, Honda models with significant modifications (induction kits, exhausts, suspension work), and older high-specification Civic variants, BIBA-registered specialist brokers (biba.org.uk/find-insurance/) can access performance and modified vehicle underwriters with appetite for these profiles.
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK avg motor premium Q4 2025 | £622 | ABI | Q4 2025 |
| Honda Jazz typical group range | 8-18 | Thatcham Research | 2026 |
| Honda Civic standard group range | 15-32 | Thatcham Research | 2026 |
| Honda Civic Type R group range | 35-40 | Thatcham Research | 2026 |
| Honda CR-V typical group range | 22-32 | Thatcham Research | 2026 |
| Honda e:HEV insurance treatment | Standard ICE (no EV loading) | Thatcham / market | 2026 |
| IPT standard rate | 12% | HMRC / gov.uk | 2026 |
| Road Traffic Act 1988 minimum | Third Party Only | legislation.gov.uk | 2026 |
| BIBA broker finder | biba.org.uk/find-insurance/ | BIBA | 2026 |
Honda versus Japanese competitor insurance comparison
For drivers comparing Honda against other Japanese mainstream brands, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, insurance cost is a secondary differentiator but worth understanding. Honda and Toyota broadly compete in the same Thatcham group ranges for equivalent model categories: Honda Jazz versus Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic versus Toyota Corolla, Honda CR-V versus Toyota RAV4.
Toyota's standard fitment of Toyota Safety Sense AEB, analogous to Honda's sensing suite, similarly moderates Toyota's group assessments. For equivalent specifications, Honda and Toyota typically produce broadly comparable insurance premiums, with minor variations by specific model and trim.
Nissan's Qashqai and Juke crossovers occupy groups comparable to the Honda HR-V and Civic. Subaru's all-wheel-drive models carry moderate loadings for their AWD drivetrain complexity but not the EV-scale loadings of fully electric models. None of these Japanese mainstream brands carry the EV-specific battery replacement cost loading that applies to fully electric and large-battery PHEV models from European and American manufacturers.
For any Honda model, confirm the specific variant's Thatcham group at thatcham.org before purchase, as trim-level and engine specification differences within a model line can produce meaningful group differences. Insurance Premium Tax at 12 percent (HMRC, gov.uk) applies to all Honda motor insurance premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance group is a Honda Jazz?
The Honda Jazz in current e:HEV hybrid configuration typically sits at Thatcham groups 8 to 18 depending on trim. The base Elegance variant at groups 8 to 12; the Advance variant at groups 14 to 18. Verify the specific variant at thatcham.org before purchase.
Does Honda's reliability record reduce insurance costs?
Honda's strong reliability record contributes indirectly to insurance group assessments through the availability and cost of parts and repair complexity. Reduced mechanical failure claim frequency is a positive actuarial signal, which moderates group assignments relative to less reliable competitors at similar price points.
Is the Honda Civic Type R expensive to insure?
Yes. The Civic Type R (groups 35 to 40) carries materially higher premiums than the standard Civic (groups 15 to 32), reflecting the 329 bhp turbocharged engine and performance specification. The premium gap between standard and Type R is significant for all driver profiles.
Does the Honda e: HEV hybrid cost more to insure than petrol?
No, Honda e:HEV models are treated as standard ICE vehicles by Thatcham and UK insurers, without the EV-specific battery replacement cost loading applied to fully electric or plug-in hybrid models. Honda's self-charging e:HEV system does not carry the same scale of battery risk as BEV or PHEV battery packs.
Do I need a specialist broker for Honda insurance?
For standard Jazz, HR-V, and Civic models, mainstream direct brands handle Honda insurance without specialist access. For Civic Type R and significantly modified Honda models, BIBA-registered specialist brokers (biba.org.uk/find-insurance/) provide access to wider underwriting options.
| ✓ Editorial Process How we verified this Thatcham Research group data confirmed at thatcham.org. ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025 confirmed at abi.org.uk. Honda e:HEV insurance treatment confirmed against Thatcham assessment methodology at thatcham.org. Road Traffic Act 1988 section 143 confirmed at legislation.gov.uk. HMRC IPT rate confirmed at gov.uk. BIBA broker finder confirmed at biba.org.uk. Last fact-checked 26 April 2026. |
Sources & Verification
- Thatcham Research, insurance group checker: https://www.thatcham.org
- ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025: https://www.abi.org.uk
- Road Traffic Act 1988, section 143: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52
- HMRC Insurance Premium Tax: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/insurance-premium-tax
- BIBA, Find a specialist broker: https://www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/
- FCA Register: https://register.fca.org.uk
- gov.uk, Driving without insurance: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/penalty-for-driving-without-insurance
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.