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Compare BMW 1 Series car insurance in the UK

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How much does BMW 1 Series insurance cost?

As a benchmark, annual BMW 1 Series car insurance quotes typically range from £550 for basic cover up to £2,800 or more for comprehensive policies. Driver age, experience, location and exact model impact costs.

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What factors determine BMW 1 Series insurance cost?

When calculating premiums, insurers examine these major risk factors:

Driving record

Recent accidents, convictions, disqualifications and other violations raise rates substantially, so maintaining a clean record is important.

Vehicle use

Daily-driver policies for a BMW 1 Series cost more than those covering occasional or recreational use. Mileage also impacts premiums.

Vehicle security

Insurers offer discounts for alarms, immobilisers, tracking devices and secure garaging. These security measures deter theft and damage.

Coverage limits

Lower coverage levels mean lower premium costs but leave drivers exposed when filing a major claim. You could also increase your voluntary excess levels to over £500 if you can afford the costs when making a claim.

What can increase BMW 1 Series insurance rates?

Consider the following before purchasing your car, as these factors significantly increase your premiums: 

  • Engine size: larger engines such as the 2.0-litre model have higher premiums than smaller 1.5-litre variants
  • Performance versions: M Sport and M Performance models command higher premiums than standard editions
  • Driver age: under-25s can pay over £2,400 for BMW 1 Series insurance annually. Rates tend to decrease with age and experience
  • Location: inner cities have higher premiums than rural areas. Where the BMW 1 Series is parked also matters
  • Security: alarms, immobilisers and secure garaging help reduce premiums
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Tips for reducing BMW 1 Series premiums

There are three main things you can do to get cheaper BMW 1 Series insurance in the UK:

  • Shop around extensively. Use comparison sites and speak to specialty insurers, as they may beat mainstream providers on sports models such as BMWs
  • Ask about discounts. Providers often have offers for multi-car policies, low mileage, experienced drivers, advanced courses, etc. You could also find a policy that lets you accumulate no-claims discounts, as this will reduce your premiums considerably over time
  • Minimise the risk factors within your control by installing alarms and immobilisers and parking your car in a secure garage. 

BMW Series 1 insurance FAQs

The BMW 1 Series typically spans groups 16-36 depending on its engine, model year and specifications.

The BMW 1 Series has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with high scores in crash tests. Advanced driver assistance features are available.

New BMW passenger vehicles come with a three-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Extended warranties can be purchased for additional coverage.

Yes, BMW offers efficient BMW 1 Series diesel options in addition to petrol engines. These provide an alternative for high-mileage drivers.

Yes, most BMW 1 Series models can be equipped with an automatic transmission, though a manual transmission is also available, depending on the variant.

The entry-level BMW 1 Series models, such as the 116i and 118i, tend to be the most affordable variants, in addition to used or nearly new vehicles.

Connor Campbell new profile April 2024

Connor Campbell

Senior Finance Writer

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet, Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror, the Daily Express and Business Insider

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, Reuters and the Evening Standard

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.