Smart Fortwo insurance group

The Smart Fortwo is an iconic 2-seater city car that’s been on our roads for almost 24 years. Now in its third generation, the car is a joint effort between Swatch and Mercedes. It’s also available as an electric model, and was the first one ever to go on sale in Europe. In this guide, we’ll set you up with all the relevant info for when it comes to getting this pocket rocket of a car insured.

What insurance group does the Smart Fortwo fall under?

All vehicles are given a specific insurance group that ranges from 1 (cheapest) to 50 (most expensive) which helps determine the cost of your premium. Smart Fortwo models range from insurance group 2 to 11, meaning they’re among the least expensive cars to insure. As an example, a 30-year-old driver in an average postcode could pay around £553 for cover on a Smart Fortwo Pure 2d Auto that is in insurance group 2 or around £704 for a Smart Fortwo Electric Drive 2d Auto that is in insurance group 9. This clearly shows the impact on premium pricing that occurs when one car is in a much higher insurance group.

• How we got these rates

  These rates are based on the average cost of cover for cars in the insurance groups shown, for drivers of different ages with a Newcastle (NE1) postcode, which our research suggests represents an average for insurance rates in the UK. Updated: June 2024 (source: Confused).

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Smart Fortwo insurance cost by location

Among the many factors that can affect the cost of your car insurance premium, one of the biggest is your location.

To show the impact of your home address, here are some average quotes for a 30-year-old living in 3 different locations. The quotes are for a Smart Fortwo Passion 2d Auto.

• Expensive: £791 (London SE1)
• Average: £526 (Newcastle NE1)
• Cheap: £538 (Galashiels TD1)

• How we got these rates

  These rates are based on the average cost of cover for cars in the locations shown. Our research suggests SE1 is one of the most expensive locations, NE1 represents an average cost location and TD1 represents one of the cheapest locations. Updated: June 2024 (source: Confused).

Which factors affect my Smart Fortwo insurance rate?

Along with the car’s specific insurance group, there are many other key factors that can have a big impact on your insurance premium costs:

• Engine type and capacity. In general, the larger the engine, the more you’ll pay for your car insurance. For example, it may cost £791 for insurance for a Smart Fortwo Limited Three mhd 2d Auto, while you may pay £942 for a Smart Fortwo Brabus Xclusive Softouch 2010 2d Auto. So, that’s an extra £15 per year you’ll pay for the Long Range engine.
• Driver location. Insurers use your home address to determine the level of risk that your car may be stolen or involved in an accident, and this affects the cost of insurance. For example, a 30-year-old in central London may pay £942 for insurance for a Smart Fortwo Brabus Xclusive Softouch 2010 2d Auto, while the same 30-year-old in Newcastle may only pay £699. That’s an extra £83 per year that the average 30-year-old would pay in London compared to Newcastle.
• Driver age. The youngest drivers will pay the most for car insurance because they are the most likely to make a claim. As an example, the average 20-year-old driver in London may pay £2,297 for the Smart Fortwo Passion 2d Auto, while the average 40-year-old Londoner will only pay £651. That’s £592 more per year that the younger driver would pay in this scenario.

Other factors that influence the cost of your insurance include:

• The model and age of your car
• Your car’s safety rating score
• Your car’s safety rating features
• Your car’s anti-theft precautions
• Your annual mileage
• Your driving history and activity
• Your no-claims discount
• Your marital status
• Your credit history and job

How can I save on my Smart Fortwo premium?

It’s a well-known fact that car insurance can be expensive, but you don’t need to let it break the bank. Here are some ideas to help you lower the cost of your premium.

• Limit your annual mileage (where possible). If you can occasionally walk or use public transport, rather than using your car, this can help to save on your premium.
• Pay annually rather than monthly. When you pay annually, you eliminate the possibility of being charged interest on monthly payments.
• Install extra safety precautions. This makes your car safer and reduces the risk of you making a claim on your premium. That’s why many insurers are happy to lower your premium when you do so.
• Shop around for the best deal using price comparison websites. Don’t just settle for the renewal price given to you. You’ll usually find a better deal by switching to a competitor each year.

Facts about the Smart Fortwo

– It was the first electric car to go on sale in Europe.
– The Smart Fortwo earned the highest score in crash tests.
– You can fit 2 Fortwo cars into a standard car park space.

Bottom line

As the name suggests, the Smart Fortwo is perfect for 2. It’s very much a city car and designed to travel short distances. Given its tiny nature, its insurance isn’t going to bankrupt you. Depending on postcode, engine size and your level of driving experience, you could end up getting a pretty decent deal.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the top speed of a Smart Fortwo?

  Depending on the model version, you can expect a Smart Fortwo to reach a top speed of 81 miles per hour.

• Is the Smart Fortwo safe?

  In its Euro NCAP crash tests, this vehicle achieved a 4-star rating. This rating included an 82% rating for protecting adult occupants and 80% for protecting child occupants.

• How much car tax do I have to pay for the Smart Fortwo?

  The UK standard car tax rate sits at £150 per year. However, you might pay more or less depending on your car’s emissions.

• Where can I buy a Smart Fortwo?

  You can buy a Smart Fortwo at dealerships, using online sellers or from a current owner.

• Is the Smart Fortwo any good?

  In short, it’s not bad. The Smart Fortwo received a 3-star rating from Auto Express, citing its manoeuvrability around town, but it struggles on faster roads.

• Where can I find Smart Fortwo car insurance?

  You can compare the costs of Smart Fortwo car insurance using any price comparison website.

• Is a Smart Fortwo expensive to insure?

  The Smart Fortwo can be found in insurance groups ranging from 2 to 11. This means they’re among the cheapest cars to insure.

Written by

Danny Butler

Publisher

Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio

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