What calculations do insurers use to work out premiums?

I recently replaced my group 40 SUV, valued at £9000 with an annual premium of £640, with a much newer group 15 car of similar value with a premium of £400. I expected the insurance to have at least halved given the difference in insurance groupings. Is there a rough calculation I can use - for example, a group 10 car will cost 125 per cent more to insure than a group 1 car?

Asked on 16 February 2018 by Graham

Answered by Honest John
No, there is no rough calculation. Insurers advise us it is a vastly complex process of underwriting based on many different algorithms, which are way to complex for you or I to understand. Alternatively, they choose to be opaque and would dread to be transparent in how they actually arrive at a premium. When challenged, they advise they will not disclose the process as this could put them at a commercial disadvantage. Yet, I cannot see how it can if they arrive at similar premiums.
Tags: insurance
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