Thousands of drivers have had driving convictions in the past, whether for drunk driving, reckless driving, or speeding. Many people who have had driving convictions are now safe and responsible drivers, yet a conviction can stay on your record for years.
So, how does this affect your insurance? Is it feasible to get cheap car insurance for convicted drivers, and how much would it cost? Our guide will teach you everything you need to know about getting insurance if you have a driving conviction, so keep reading to learn more.
What Effect Would a Driving Conviction Have on My Insurance?
When you purchase car insurance, you will be asked if you have any driving convictions. Drivers with convictions are viewed as a higher risk by insurers, which is reflected in their premiums. Before renewing your insurance, you must also notify your insurer if you or any named motorist on your policy has committed a traffic offence.
If you fail to disclose a conviction and then file a claim, your insurance may be rendered null and void, and your insurance provider may refuse to payout.
Though each insurer is different, when calculating the insurance rate for convicted drivers, they normally take their age and the type of offence into account.
What is your age?
Younger drivers’ premiums are already high since most insurers consider them a danger. However, being found guilty of a traffic offence will not only undermine your confidence as a new driver but will also increase the cost of your insurance.
If you accumulate 6 points on your licence within two years of passing your driving test, your licence will be revoked, and you will have to retake the theory and practical driving examinations.
Offence classification
It is critical to emphasise that regardless of the fines or points a driving conviction carries, insurers view each offence differently. Some insurers, for example, apply a relatively minor price increase for a first speeding offence.
However, if you are found using a hand-held cell phone, you should expect a significant increase in your rate, or your insurance may refuse to cover you at all. That’s because, while it’s conceivable to mistakenly exceed the speed limit, no one ever sends or receives a text, checks social media, or makes a phone call inadvertently.
In short, by using a phone, your eyes and focus are taken away from the road, putting you at a significantly higher risk of an accident.
A single driving conviction or an accumulation of points can do more than just cost you money; you may potentially be denied insurance. If you have a driving conviction and are having difficulty finding an insurer who will offer you insurance, UNLOCK (the National Association of Reformed Offenders) can provide you with a list of carriers who specialise in car insurance for convicted drivers.
Can I acquire car insurance if I’ve been convicted of a traffic offence?
Yes, it is possible to obtain car insurance despite a driving conviction. Just keep in mind that insurers are suspicious of convicted drivers, so you may have fewer options. Insurers are likely to demand that you pay higher premiums as well because convicted drivers are often regarded as posing a greater danger.
When you compare car insurance with MoneySuperMarket, they’ll inquire if you’ve had any driving offences in the last five years. After you’ve answered a few more simple questions, you should see a variety of quotes. It could be a little more expensive than you’re used to, but hopefully, you’ll be able to find a price that works for you!
Is it possible to purchase car insurance if I’m a convicted driver?
Yes, even if you’ve been prohibited or disqualified from driving, you can still purchase car insurance. In reality, it’s still required. If you’re still parking your car on the street, it must be insured, even if you’re not allowed to drive it. The only other alternative is to obtain a Statutory Off Road Notification, sometimes known as a SORN.
If you are resuming driving after a temporary driving ban, you must also carry insurance. There are numerous insurers who will provide you with coverage – just be prepared to pay higher premiums.
What is the difference between spent and unspent convictions?
If you are convicted of a driving conviction, it will remain on your record for a specified number of years, known as the rehabilitation period.’ When that time period expires, your conviction is considered spent,’ and it is deleted from your criminal record. If you’re still in recovery, it’s ‘unspent,’ and anyone conducting a background check on you will be able to see it.
Different driving offences will go unpunished for varying amounts of time. Most convictions will be expunged after five years, but significant crimes, such as reckless driving that ends in death, or anything that results in a jail sentence, may linger longer.
Is it Necessary for me to declare a Driving Conviction?
When you compare car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket, we’ll inquire if you have any outstanding convictions. If you have any convictions, you must declare them; lying to your insurer will result in the cancellation of your coverage. This implies you’ll be driving without legal insurance, which will result in more convictions.
However, if you have a spent conviction, you do not need to notify your insurer. Once a conviction has been expunged, it will no longer appear in a basic background check, and you will not be compelled to reveal it; you are free to move on and drive safely in the future.
Different Types of Driving Offences
The effect of a conviction on your car insurance can vary depending on the sort of offence committed. A criminal conviction, whether driving or not, can have a broad impact on any type of insurance policy. So, driving offences (which may or may not end in criminal convictions) will influence the kind of car insurance policies you’re offered in a variety of ways.
Driving under the influence of driving or drugs
Driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug is a serious offence punishable by a criminal conviction, imprisonment, and an unlimited fine. Drinking and driving will result in the award of a DR10 (or DR20) endorsement, which will result in up to 11 points on your licence and a 12-month driving ban. Any car insurance premium you receive after this will be significantly higher than before. For additional information, see our guide to buying insurance after a DUI conviction.
Convictions for speeding
If you are caught driving the speed limit, you may be offered the opportunity to take a speed awareness course in order to prevent points on your licence, a fine, and/or a driving restriction. If you take the course, you will avoid having a conviction on your record, and you will not be required to reveal your attendance to an insurer unless they specifically request it.
Points deducted
Different types of driving offences result in penalty points (or endorsements) on your licence. Varying offences (for example, risky or careless driving, alcoholic driving (see above), failing to stop after an accident, or driving with broken lights or brakes) result in different numbers of points. Serious offences result in points that persist longer than less serious offences. Points on your licence can affect your insurance premiums and, if undeclared, can render your policy null and void.
What if I’m denied coverage?
There is a group called UNLOCK (also known as the National Association of Reformed Offenders) that is dedicated to helping people with criminal records find insurance after being turned down by every provider they’ve approached.
UNLOCK provides a list of brokers who specialise in assisting convicted drivers in locating insurance carriers who will give them coverage. Even if you receive an offer from one of UNLOCK’s affiliated brokers, you should always shop to ensure that you get the best value on insurance for convicted drivers.
How can convicted drivers get a better and cheap car insurance deal?
If your conviction isn’t related to driving, there’s a chance you’ve had the opportunity to build up a no-claims discount, in which case you may save up to 75 percent on your premiums, which could go a long way toward offsetting the price inflation caused by your conviction.
Another strategy to save money is to get the proper vehicle in the first place. Smaller automobiles with smaller engines, on average, cost less to insure since they fall into one of the lowest of the 50 groups established by the official Group Rating Panel.
However, comparing prices online is by far the simplest way to find cheap car insurance for convicted drivers.
What is covered by car insurance for convicted drivers?
Convicted driver’s car insurance provides the same amount of coverage as ordinary car insurance. There are three different tiers to pick from:
- Third-party insurance pays others for injuries or damage caused by you. If you are in an accident, your insurance policy will not pay to repair or replace your car.
- Third-party, fire, and theft insurance only covers third-party claims and compensates you if your car is stolen or burned down.
- Comprehensive insurance includes third-party, fire, and theft coverage, as well as the cost of repair or replacement if your car is damaged in an accident, even if the event was your fault.
By law, you must have third-party insurance. Although this is sometimes regarded as the lowest choice, it is not always the case. Comprehensive insurance is typically quite reasonably priced and can provide superior long-term value for money—another incentive to compare quotations. Let’s see how to find cheap car insurance for convicted drivers.
How to Find Cheap Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers
Finding cheap car insurance for convicted drivers might be difficult, but there are strategies to keep costs as low as possible. For example:
- Having a car in a low insurance group can help keep premiums low. – read our article to learn how groups are determined and the types of cars that can lead to cheaper coverage.
- Pay for your coverage upfront – it may seem like a lot of money, but paying for your policy all at once can actually save you money. Additional interest frequently comes with monthly payments, raising the total amount due.
- Increase your voluntary excess; this can lower your overall premium, but it should still be affordable because you’ll have to pay it if you file a claim. Read our blog, – Insurance Excess, to learn more.
- Limit the number of miles you drive; the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident, and the cheaper your premium as a result.
- Increase security—make your car as safe as possible; if you don’t have a garage or private driveway, an immobiliser is a decent option.
- Avoid modifications; the more distinctive your car, the more expensive it is to maintain, which might raise your insurance premiums.
Try a telematics policy, often known as black Box insurance, in which your driving is monitored and rates are calculated based on how well you perform. Driving consistently well may result in a reduction in your insurance price.
- Take an advanced course: If you have a history of driving convictions, some insurers will reduce your premiums if you complete an advanced driving course.
Remember that insurers evaluate a variety of factors when determining your price, including your age, location, car type, and driving history, as well as any convictions.
Is it more Expensive to get Car Insurance if you’re a Convicted Driver?
Yes, if you have an unspent conviction, you will find that your car insurance premiums will be higher. How much more expensive it is dependent on the type of conviction you have—speeding tickets will raise the cost of insurance a little, while risky driving will likely raise the cost significantly.
Car insurance for convicted drivers is more expensive since insurers base their pricing on risk. If they believe they will have to pay out on a claim, they will charge you more to cover their expenses. Insurers believe that a person with a driving conviction is more likely to drive recklessly in the future. Of course, they could be mistaken about you – and the only way to prove it is to establish a track record of safe driving.
Insurance for Convicted Drivers FAQs
Does being disqualified from driving invalidate insurance?
Because insurers typically inquire about any driving convictions within this time period, your driving disqualification is likely to affect your car insurance premiums for the next five years.
How long does a driving conviction stay on your record?
Criminal records linked to a motoring conviction are usually expunged after five years, while details of certain offences, such as drunk driving, might stay on your driving licence and DVLA driving record for much longer.
Do you have to declare criminal convictions for car insurance?
If your conviction is expunged, you do not need to disclose it when applying for insurance, even if you are asked. If you have an unspent conviction, insurance coverage may be more expensive. Those with unspent convictions are often denied coverage by mainstream insurers.
