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Convictions Car Insurance Comparison

  • Car insurance that is affordable for people with criminal convictions.
  • Get quotes instantly to save time and money.
  • Special coverage for drivers who have convictions.

Can You Get Car Insurance with a Criminal Conviction?

Car insurance for drivers with convictions can be pricier and tougher to find. Insurance providers see these drivers, especially those with criminal records, motoring convictions, or penalty points, as a higher risk. This often means they will have to pay higher insurance rates.

Specialist insurers provide policies for drivers with past convictions. This way, they can still find affordable coverage based on their individual circumstances.

Do You Have to Declare Spent Convictions When Getting a Car Insurance Quote?

Most insurance providers want you to mention any unspent convictions when applying for car insurance. However, you do not have to talk about spent convictions. The only exception is if the prison sentence was longer than four years.

  • The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) says that once a conviction is spent, it should not affect your insurance eligibility or the cost of your premiums.
  • Unspent convictions are still active and you must let insurers know about them. These convictions are shown on all types of criminal record checks, including basic, standard, and enhanced.

Unspent convictions will remain on the Police National Computer (PNC) until you turn 100 years old.

Do You Have to Declare Driving Convictions?

Yes, all insurance companies ask drivers to tell them about any motoring offences or driving convictions that have happened in the last five years.

When applying for car insurance, insurers may ask for:

  • Date of conviction
  • Conviction code (e.g., SP30 for speeding)
  • Number of penalty points
  • Amount of the driving fine
  • Length of driving ban (if there is one)
  • Did they do a breath test on the driver?
  • Was the offence related to an accident?

Not sharing your criminal convictions might cause your policy to be cancelled. This can make your insurance invalid. If that happens, you would be responsible for any claims that are still due.

How Long Do Driving Convictions Affect Car Insurance?

A driving conviction can change your car insurance rates. This can last for up to five years from the time of the offence.

  • Most accident-related offenses stay on your record for four years.
  • Serious offenses, like drinking or drug driving, stay for 11 years.
  • Drivers who get 12 or more penalty points within three years might face a driving ban.

If you drive for your job, employers can look at your record using the DVLA Shared Driving Licence Scheme. But they cannot see any old convictions that have already been cleared under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

How Do Criminal Convictions Affect Car Insurance?

Most insurance companies take into account motoring convictions, criminal records, and driving offences when figuring out premiums.

A criminal conviction can change your car insurance in several ways:

  • Higher payments because of seen risks.
  • Fewer insurance providers ready to provide coverage.
  • Reduced payment choices, like needing a full payment instead of monthly payments.

Even with these challenges, you can find convicted driver insurance from special car insurance providers.

How Do Criminal Convictions Affect Car Insurance

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 are rough calculations from market research. The actual premiums may change based on individual circumstances and the insurer's policies.

Driving Convictions and Their Impact on Insurance Costs

Drivers must tell their insurance companies about any motoring offences, penalty points, and driving bans. Here is a list of common conviction codes along with their penalties.

Conviction Code Offence Penalty Points Time on Licence
SP30 Speeding on a public road 3 - 6 4 years
DR10 Driving over the alcohol limit 3 - 11 11 years
DD40 Dangerous driving 3 - 11 4 years
IN10 Driving without insurance 6 - 8 4 years
TT99 Accumulating 12+ penalty points within 3 years Disqualification Variable

If you do not share an unspent conviction, your car insurance policy might become invalid.

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How Long Do Driving Convictions Stay on Your Licence?

The amount of time a conviction remains on a driving licence depends on how severe the offence is.

  • Minor offences, like speeding and failure to stop, stay on your record for 4 years.
  • Serious motoring convictions, which include dangerous driving and drink driving, remain on it for 11 years.
  • Penalty points stay on a licence for 4 years. However, insurers might ask about them for up to 5 years.

Drivers should always check their record with the DVLA to make sure it is correct.

Ways to Reduce Car Insurance Costs with a Conviction

  • Look at different convicted driver insurance quotes to get the best policy.
  • Raise your voluntary excess to lower your premiums.
  • Pick a car that is lower risk and in a lower insurance group.
  • Drive fewer miles each year to lower your risk.
  • Enhance your security, like parking in a private driveway.
  • Complete an advanced driving course, as some insurers give discounts for safe driving.

Using a car insurance comparison service can help you find cheaper car insurance for drivers with convictions.

Best Insurance Options for Convicted Drivers

Insurance Type Best For
Standard Car Insurance Drivers with minor convictions like SP30.
Black Box Insurance Proving safe driving after a conviction.
High-Risk Car Insurance Serious convictions such as DR10 or DD40.
Temporary Car Insurance Short-term cover for banned drivers regaining their licence.

Some specialist insurance providers give flexible driver insurance for convicted drivers. This insurance is designed to meet each person's specific needs.

Compare Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers

Compare Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers

  • Look for quotes from expert insurers.
  • Obtain personalised policies for traffic convictions.
  • Check different options to save on convicted driver insurance.

FAQs About Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers

Yes, you need to declare any unspent convictions when you apply for car insurance.

Most driving offenses stay on record for a period of 4 to 11 years. This time depends on how serious the offense is.

Comparing quotes, limiting how far you drive, and taking an advanced driving course can help lower your insurance payments.

Yes, drivers coming back from a ban usually have to pay higher insurance costs.

Using a group of insurance providers can help you find the best policy for your individual circumstances.

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Page last updated on: 09/05/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

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