Skoda has announced the official insurance ratings for the new Fabia Estate... and it's good news for stretched family budgets. Base model 1.2 (70bhp) estates fall into the 2E band – the lowest of any supermini estate* - which should make the Fabia affordable for many buyers.

The highest rating is just 4E for the 1.6 16V (105bhp) and the 1.9 TDI (105bhp) models. For full figures see the table below. Across the range, the new model is now cheaper to insure than its predecessor launched in 2001. Prices for the compact wagon start at £9,360 for the 1.2 (70bhp) model in entry-level '1' spec and rise to £13,775 for the 1.9 TDI PD (105bhp) Fabia Estate 3.

Skoda retailers are taking orders now ahead of the car's official on sale date of the 7th February.