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Can You Get Car Insurance with a Driving Conviction?

Yes, you can get convicted driver insurance, but it may cost more than regular car insurance. Insurers see drivers with a driving conviction as a higher risk. This leads to higher insurance rates or fewer policy options for you.

Specialist insurers provide convicted car insurance for drivers who have past offences. This type of insurance helps them return to the road.

How Does a Driving Conviction Affect Car Insurance?

Insurers look at your driving record to see how risky you are to insure. If you have a criminal record or a past with serious offences, your insurance premium could be much higher.

Factors that influence the costs of convicted driver insurance include:

  • Severity of the offence - Minor offences, like speeding, usually have less effect than dangerous driving or drink driving.
  • Length of time since conviction - A recent conviction increases your premiums. An older conviction affects your premium less.
  • Type of car you drive - Cars with higher power are usually more costly to insure.
  • Number of penalty points - A higher number of points on your licence means higher premiums.
  • Previous insurance history - If your insurance was cancelled because of a conviction, insurers might charge you more.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for Convicted Drivers?

Conviction Type Average Annual Premium (UK, 2024) Increase vs. Standard Premium
No Convictions £500 - £1,000 Standard Rate
Speeding (SP30) £700 - £1,300 20% - 50% Increase
Drink Driving (DR10) £1,200 - £1,800 50% - 100% Increase
Dangerous Driving (DD40) £1,500 - £2,200 75% - 150% Increase
Driving Ban £1,800 - £3,000 100%+ Increase

These numbers come from market research. Actual premiums may change based on individual circumstances.

What Motoring Convictions Do Insurers Cover?

Most insurance companies cover several types of driving offenses. These include:

Conviction Type Codes Covered
Accident Offences AC10, AC20, AC30
Careless Driving CD10, CD20, CD30, CD33, CD40, CD50, CD60, CD70, CD80, CD90
Dangerous Driving DD10, DD40, DD60, DD80, DD90
Drink Driving DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR61, DR40, DR50, DR60, DR70
Drug Driving DG10, DG60, DR80, DG40, DR90
Disqualified Drivers BA10, BA30, BA40, BA60
Driving Without Insurance IN10
Speeding Offences SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40, SP50
Mobile Phone Offences CU80

You can find a complete list of conviction codes on the DVLA website.

How Long Does a Driving Conviction Affect Insurance?

The time a conviction affects your car insurance policy varies based on the type of offence.

  • For minor offences like speeding or using a mobile phone, the penalty is 4 years.
  • For serious offences, such as drink driving or dangerous driving, the penalty is 11 years.
  • If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within 3 years, you could get a driving ban.

During this time, insurance companies will look at your conviction when figuring out the costs of your premiums.

Spent vs. Unspent Convictions - What’s the Difference?

  • Unspent convictions - You must tell insurers about these when you apply for a policy.
  • Spent convictions - After a certain time (usually 4 or 11 years), you don’t have to mention this conviction. Insurers cannot use it against you.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, when a conviction is spent, you do not have to mention it in your insurance application.

Spent vs. Unspent Convictions - What’s the Difference

Car Insurance for Previously Banned Drivers

Drivers who had a driving ban might find it hard to get cheap insurance. If your ban lasted more than 56 days, you will need to:

  • Make sure to reapply for your licence before you drive again.
  • Look for a new insurer that will cover banned drivers.
  • Think about using telematics or black box insurance to show that you drive responsibly.

Some insurance companies provide policies made just for drivers who have been banned before.

What Happens If You Don’t Declare a Conviction?

If you do not tell about an unspent conviction, it is seen as insurance fraud. If an insurer finds out about this, they might:

  • Cancel your policy right away.
  • Do not pay out if there is a claim.
  • Tell the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) about the fraud.

Always share all important information when you apply for convicted driver insurance.

How Do Insurance Companies Classify High-Risk Drivers?

Insurance companies look at several factors to decide if a driver is high risk. A high-risk driver is someone an insurer thinks is more likely to file a claim. This belief is based on their past driving habits, financial background, and other signs of risk.

Factors That Make a Driver High Risk

  1. Type and Severity of the Driving Offence

    • Minor offences, like speeding (SP30), usually mean lower insurance costs.
    • Serious offences, such as drink driving (DR10) or dangerous driving (DD40), can greatly raise costs.
  2. Frequency of Previous Claims or Accidents

    • Drivers with several claims look riskier to insure.
    • Even small claims from minor accidents can lead to higher premiums.
  3. Number of Penalty Points on a Licence

    • More penalty points show a history of unsafe driving.
    • Getting 12 or more points in three years may result in a driving ban.
  4. History of Cancelled Policies or Insurance Fraud

    • Insurers look at records for past policy cancellations due to missed payments or fraud.
    • Not declaring previous cancellations can lead to denied coverage.
  5. Previous Driving Ban

    • A driving ban makes it harder to get affordable insurance.
    • Some insurers won’t cover banned drivers, while others will charge much higher premiums.
  6. Convictions for Drink Driving, Drug Driving, or Dangerous Driving

    • These are serious motoring offences.
    • Offences like not providing a breath sample (DR30) or causing death by dangerous driving (DD80) make it tough to find coverage.
  7. Young or Inexperienced Drivers with a Conviction

    • Young drivers already have higher insurance costs because of inexperience.
    • A conviction will raise those costs even more.
  8. High-Performance or Modified Cars

    • Insurance costs are higher for sports cars, modified cars, and those with powerful engines.
    • Modifications, like tinted windows or engine tuning, can put a driver in the high-risk category.
  9. Low Credit Score or Poor Financial History

    • Some insurers review credit scores before giving a policy.
    • A history of missed payments or financial issues can increase premiums.
  10. Lack of a No Claims Discount (NCD)
  • Drivers who have no or low No Claims Discount (NCD) pay higher rates because they can't show a safe driving history.
  • Drivers with convictions typically lose their NCD after a claim or suspension.

Will a Conviction Affect Other Types of Insurance?

Having a criminal or driving conviction can affect other insurance types besides car insurance. Insurance companies look at past offenses to determine risk levels for different policies. This can result in higher rates or even denial of coverage.

How a Conviction Affects Other Insurance Policies

  1. Home Insurance

    • Some insurance companies might deny coverage for homeowners or renters who have criminal records.
    • If your conviction is still active, you must mention it when you apply for a policy.
    • Convictions for fraud, theft, or arson might cause your policy to be denied.
  2. Van Insurance

    • Just like car insurance, van insurance may cost more for drivers with motoring convictions.
    • Certain offences, such as driving a van without insurance (IN10), can make it tougher to find coverage.
  3. Motorbike Insurance

    • Riders with speeding convictions (SP30, SP50) or dangerous riding offences (DD40) might face higher premiums.
    • Some insurers may only provide special insurance for riders with convictions.
  4. Travel Insurance

    • A few travel insurers will ask about any unspent criminal convictions.
    • If you don’t disclose a conviction and it’s later found out, the policy could be cancelled.
  5. Life Insurance

    • Some convictions, especially those linked to reckless actions or drug issues, can cause life insurance premiums to increase.
    • Insurers look at risks from health and lifestyle, so your past offences may matter.
  6. Business Insurance

    • If a business owner has a criminal conviction, several commercial insurance companies may charge more or deny coverage.
    • Convictions for financial crimes, like fraud, can make it tricky to get business liability insurance.
  7. Pet Insurance

    • Though it's uncommon, a few insurers could ask about criminal records when applying for pet insurance.

How to Lower the Cost of Convicted Driver Insurance

Convicted drivers usually pay more for their insurance. However, there are several ways to lower these costs:

  • Compare quotes - A car insurance comparison service can help you find the best policy.
  • Increase voluntary excess - A higher excess can lower your monthly payments.
  • Choose a lower-risk car - Cars that are in a lower insurance group are cheaper to insure.
  • Limit annual mileage - Driving fewer miles can lower the risk.
  • Use black box insurance - Telematics policies offer lower payments for safe driving.
  • Take an advanced driving course - Some insurers give discounts for finishing a driving improvement course.
Compare Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers

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FAQs About Convicted Driver Car Insurance

Yes, your insurance payment will probably be higher. Also, fewer insurance companies will provide coverage.

It all depends on how serious the offence is. If it's a minor speeding offence, it may raise your costs by 20-50%. But if you have a drink driving conviction, it can even double your premium.

Yes, insurance companies can check DVLA records. They use this to confirm your driving record and see any penalty points you may have.

Most endorsements stay on your licence for 4 to 11 years. This duration depends on the offence committed.

Using a comparison website can help you find better deals. Increasing your voluntary excess can also lower costs. Additionally, looking into black box insurance can be a good way to save money.

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Page last updated on: 18/03/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

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