Average 50 Group insurance ratings for Audi lower than competitors' equivalents

According to information from the ABI (Association of British Insurers) insurance premiums for Audis are frequently lower than those for other premium German marques.

The ABI, together with Lloyds Syndicates, run a Group Ratings Database that is managed by the MIRRC (Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre). The database is comprehensive source of information on all engine types, body styles and other variants, all updated on a monthly basis since the 80s.

How the system works: penalty points
Information such as the cost of the vehicle, the cost of replacement keys / locks, the cost (and availability) of repairs is all used to allocate penalty points to different vehicles. The more expensive the vehicle, its parts and labour costs, and the more difficult it is to get repairs done, the more penalty points it will gather and the higher its group rating for insurance will be. To ensure that repair costs are fairly calculated only those levied following an independent crash test by the RCAR (Research Council for Automobile Repairs) are used.

Security Performance
Another key factor used to calculate the ratings is security performance. Audi has a reputation for top class security protection with superb quality alarms, immobilisers, ultrasonic protection, anti-tow sensors, locking wheel bolts and a mix of prominent and hidden marked parts across the range. In fact Audi has more ranges in which each model has been rated by the BIVSA (British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards) with 5 stars for 'theft of' security and at least 4 stars for 'theft from' security than any other manufacturer. BIVSA have awarded Audi ‘Best Overall Manufacturer’ every year since 2006. 

All of this means that average 50 group ratings for Audi models like the Q7 and A8 are lower than their competitors in nearly all cases, meaning lower premiums.