How cheap is it to insure a BMW 1 Series?
Get the details on how much car insurance for BMW 1 Series models can cost
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BMW 1 Series insurance groups are one of the key pieces of research to do if you’re looking to price up running costs for one of these popular hatchbacks.
Save yourself the heartbreak of being priced out by the cost of running a car, and look at BMW insurance prices ahead of time.
Our guide takes you through BMW 1 Series insurance group prices and how they’re worked out.
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BMW 1 Series insurance groups explained
Car insurance is based on two different sets of factors – the car you’re driving and yourself as the driver.
Providers look at things like your driving history and experience (including any previous insurance claims), your annual mileage, and where you park overnight.
They’ll also look at the insurance group your car is in – these are a bit like the Sorting Hat of the car insurance world.
Cars are placed into groups one to 50 to show roughly how much insurance might cost, with the lower groups being the cheapest to insure.
Things that can influence car insurance groups include:
Performance of the car
Safety features
Car security
Original cost
BMW 1 Series insurance group rating
BMW 1 Series models from 2019 onwards sit in insurance groups 16 to 28. Older models, from 2011 to 2019, are in groups 12 to 31.
The super-sporty M Performance models (M135i and M140i) are much higher in insurance groups 37 to 41, depending on the trim level.
Most and least expensive BMW 1 Series models to insure
If you’re looking for the cheapest BMW 1 Series insurance and want a newer model, the 116d from 2019 onwards is in group 16. These are the cheapest to get covered from the current-gen model.
The priciest pick from this time period is the 120d xDrive option in group 28 – but that’s still a respectable number for a luxury performance hatchback with four-wheel drive.
A 1 Series can be cheap to insure, depending on the model you choose, but it’s never going to be the cheapest (or most expensive) on the market for running costs.
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Average BMW 1 Series insurance cost for young drivers
It’s impossible to say how much car insurance will be for any driver, but new driver insurance does tend to be more expensive.
If you’re a young driver looking to insure a BMW 1 Series, brace yourself for paying more than most drivers – for the first year anyway.
Car insurance typically goes down after that first year and as you build up more experience. You might find your second year of owning your 1 Series as a young driver will be massively cheaper for insurance if you’re building up a no-claims bonus.
It’s best to get a BMW 1 Series insurance quote from your provider or a comparison site to get the most accurate costs.
How BMW 1 Series insurance compares to rivals
So, we know the 1 Series can be reasonable to insure, but how does it compare to premium rivals?
BMW 1 Series vs. Audi A1
The Audi A1 is often considered alongside the 1 Series for those after something sporty, compact and premium.
A1 models typically sit in insurance groups 14 to 31 for models after 2018 – so a very similar range to the 1 Series.
Older A1 models, from 2012 to 2018, cover groups nine to 38.
BMW 1 Series vs. Mercedes A-Class
The Mercedes A-Class is another BMW 1 Series rival that is pretty similar in price to insure. Models from 2018 onwards are in insurance groups 15 to 28.
That puts them around a similar point as both the 1 Series and A1 – so it’s a pretty level playing field for all three of these German hatchbacks.
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Getting affordable BMW 1 Series insurance
There are a few things you can try to cut back on 1 Series insurance costs, like:
Get a couple of quotes from insurance providers to compare
Cut back on your annual mileage
Park your car securely overnight
Look at black box insurance (especially as a new drivers)
Keep it stock – car mods can ramp up insurance
Add another (more experienced) driver to your policy