10 of the cheapest cars to insure in 2017

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Insurance is one of the biggest outgoings of running a car, but one that cannot be avoided. Many factors affect how much you will pay – such as your age and your occupation. While you have little or no control over some details of your life – nor how they impact your car insurance – you can at least choose a car which will minimise your annual premium.

Every car available to buy in the UK is categorised in one of 50 groups, numbered 1 to 50. In general, the lower the number, the cheaper your car will be to insure.

A body called the Group Rating Panel decides which group a car is assigned. This panel comprises members of the Association of British Insurers and the Lloyds Market Association.

The number assigned to a given car depends on a number of factors, including:

• Repair costs
• Cost of parts
• Car value
• Performance
• Security

Here we list 10 of the cheapest cars to insure in 2017...

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This is a revamped version of the original Ka which graced so many driveways in the late 1990s. While not all Ka+ models occupy the cheaper bands, a number of versions have been categorised in groups 1 and 2, making them great choices for minimising your insurance outgoings.

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The Citigo is ostensibly the same car as the Seat Mii and the Volkswagen Up!. Indeed, Skoda is owned by VW and as a result boasts fantastic build quality and tremendous reliability. This group 1 car is ideal for city driving where space is at a premium.

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This may be the third generation Twingo, but the essence of the original is still evident, with bold styling and a clever folding seat system for making additional space. A reliable, nippy city runabout that is affordable to insure.

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Despite the spaciousness of this 5-door family car, it is one of the cheapest vehicles on the market right now. What’s more, the 16V Access model occupies group 2, making it a prudent choice if you want to save on your insurance.

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A sister model to the VW Up! and the Skoda Citigo, the Seat Mii is one of the greenest city cars around. In fact, this group 1 car is so environmentally friendly it sidesteps the London Congestion Charge and attracts no road tax whatsoever.

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Unlike some previous incarnations, the second-gen Hyundai i10 is in group 1, making insurance far more affordable. A great choice as a first car, this model boasts a decent 1 litre engine and plenty of entertainment features. It's also a COTY 2014 winner.

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VW’s flagship city car ticks all the boxes: Superb build quality and safety features (evidenced by its 5-Star NCAP rating); great fuel economy and agile handling.

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The newest generation of the Corsa has given us two models in the group 2 category – Life and Sting. A refined, capable car that often appeals to younger drivers. Pictured with Opel badge.

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Not only does the latest Kia Rio range offer minimal CO2 emissions and plenty of boot space, but its 5-door Air version occupies group 1. An ideal option for a young family looking to save.

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One of the very best city cars out there, the Yaris offers great fuel economy and low insurance costs. There’s also a hybrid model for the further benefit of your wallet and the environment. ‘Active’ models occupy group 4, making insurance cheaper, although more sporty options can see the group rating climb.