Compare MR59 Car Insurance – Discretionary Ban Cover

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Convictions Car Insurance Comparison

  • Find inexpensive car insurance after an MR59 offence.
  • Compare driver insurance options for serious driving offences.
  • Explore coverage made for disqualification endorsement codes.

What Is an MR59 Conviction?

An MR59 endorsement occurs when a driver cannot drive due to a serious offence, and it doesn't fit a specific conviction code. Essentially, it applies to any offence that leads to a driving ban. This applies in the UK and in places that follow UK laws, such as Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.

The MR59 conviction stays on a driving licence for four years from the date of conviction. This is viewed as a criminal offence in the UK. It falls under the category of motoring offences. This can seriously affect your insurance premiums and make it harder for you to get good driver insurance.

Key Facts:

  • Offence: Actions that cause a loss of your licence.
  • Endorsement Code: MR59
  • Penalty Points: None given (disqualification given)
  • Duration on Licence: 4 years starting from the date of your conviction
  • Insurance Risk: Most insurers see this as a high-risk endorsement.

Understanding Insurer Risk Assessment After MR59

Most well-known insurance companies have strict rules when reviewing applications from drivers with serious criminal convictions. They consider the following:

  • Your current endorsement status
  • The number of your past driving offences
  • A gap in your insurance coverage
  • If you have had regular motor insurance
  • Your claims and accident history
  • If the MR59 offence caused property damage, injury, or could endanger public safety

Even if you take fewer risks now, your criminal record or disqualification history might still raise your insurance premiums. Some insurance companies may provide limited coverage. This could mean just third-party coverage or third-party, fire & theft coverage to reduce the risk.

It’s very important to share your history in a clear way. If you forget to include the date of conviction or do not mention an active endorsement, your policy might be cancelled or become invalid. This can be a big problem, especially when you make a claim.

MR59 Conviction Penalties

Conviction Code Offence Description Penalty Licence Impact Endorsement Duration
MR59 Other conduct leading to disqualification by the state Ban Driving ban issued 4 years from conviction
DR10 Driving under the influence of alcohol 3–11 pts + ban Ban + penalty points 11 years
IN10 Driving without insurance 6–8 pts Possible ban 4 years
CU80 Using a mobile phone while driving 6 pts Points on licence 4 years

Note: The MR59 code is used when there is no exact code that applies. This makes it general, so insurance providers treat it with caution.

How an MR59 Conviction Affects Car Insurance

A MR59 conviction often results in increased insurance premiums. You might also deal with stricter conditions and have fewer choices for insurance plans. Some big insurance companies could even reject your coverage entirely. A MR59 is taken seriously as it indicates dangerous driving habits that are not caught by a fixed penalty system.

  • Higher risk category – Many insurance companies see you as a high-risk driver.
  • Limited insurer choice – You may have to get coverage from specialist providers only.
  • Higher premiums – Average costs might rise by 100% to 200% compared to regular drivers.
How an MR59 Conviction Affects Car Insurance

Estimated Insurance Premiums After MR59

Driver Type Annual Premium Before Conviction Annual Premium After MR59 % Increase
Clean record (no offences) £500 £500 0%
With MR59 conviction £550–£650 £1,300–£1,800 120–200%

How Long Does MR59 Affect Car Insurance?

The MR59 will show up on your driver's licence for four years starting from the date of conviction. But, this can affect your motor insurance for a longer time. This depends on your insurance provider.

Timeframe Impact
1–4 years Conviction active; insurers apply full penalty loading
After 4 years Removed from DVLA record, but may still be considered by some insurers
After 5+ years May be ignored under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

💡 Many unspent convictions can still affect quotes even when they are removed from your physical licence.

What Insurance Cover Can I Get After MR59?

Level of Cover Description Availability
Third Party Only Legal minimum; covers damage to others Common
Third Party, Fire & Theft Adds fire and theft protection Moderate
Fully Comprehensive Covers you and third parties Limited
Temporary Car Insurance Short-term cover; hard to find with MR59 Rare

Drivers with MR59 should be careful. They need to look for affordable policy options that meet their legal needs.

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MR59 Convictions and Driving Licence Reinstatement

After completing their penalty for an MR59 offence, drivers may need to take several steps before they can drive again. They must either apply for a new driving licence or get their old one back. This is based on the length of their disqualification and any court orders they received.

Some drivers need to retake the driving test. This often happens to those who had a provisional licence when they were disqualified. Other drivers may need to pass a medical exam or provide extra documents.

When you apply again, insurance companies and brokers often want your national insurance number. They need this to verify your information with the DVLA. This allows them to check your penalty points, see if your licence has been reinstated, and find out if there are any other driving offences on your record.

Insurers pay attention to where the offence took place. They look at if it happened in England, Scotland, Wales, or places like Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man. This matters because the management of endorsement codes can vary slightly depending on mutual recognition agreements.

MR59 Offences vs Other Serious Motoring Convictions

An MR59 is not the same as more common offences like drink driving, careless driving, or using a mobile phone while driving. This offence covers actions that are not clearly defined, but they can still result in a driving ban. Since it is a broad term, it may be viewed as just as serious or even more serious than specific offences. This is especially true if it involves dangerous or reckless behaviour.

In many cases, a judge or magistrate figures out how serious the offence is. This can affect the length of time you are disqualified. It can also change how insurance companies see your driving record. Different MR59 convictions can lead to very different outcomes.

It’s important to team up with specialist providers due to this confusion. They understand how to adjust quotes according to each type of conviction. By not using general insurance companies, you can save time and possibly get a better insurance policy outcome.

Additional Considerations for MR59 Insurance

  • Fixed Penalty Notice vs MR59: An MR59 is not the same as a fixed penalty notice. It is a full conviction, so you have to declare it.
  • Criminal Record: This offence leads to a driving ban. It also adds to your criminal record under UK law.
  • SORN: If you don't use your car during the ban, you should think about registering it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
  • Rehabilitation: The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act says that an MR59 becomes “spent” after a certain length of time. This time will depend on the severity of the offence.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance After an MR59

  • Compare specialist insurers – Work with brokers who focus on convicted car insurance.
  • Black box insurance – A device can monitor your driving. This may help lower your costs.
  • Increase your voluntary excess – A higher excess might lead to lower premiums.
  • Choose the right vehicle – During your endorsement, stay away from cars with high insurance groups.
  • Disclose everything – Share your national insurance number, the type of conviction, and the date of the offence.
  • Avoid further offences – Being convicted for dangerous driving, careless driving, or using a mobile phone can make things worse.

FAQs About MR59 Car Insurance

Yes, you can’t get it from every provider. You will most likely need to work with specialist providers.

Yes, it can be a criminal offence. It depends on the severity of the offence and what happens in court.

Getting temporary car insurance can be difficult. Many policies will not cover drivers who have been banned or disqualified before.

Yes. You can expect your insurance premiums to be 100% to 200% higher than regular policies.

Think about black box insurance. Drive safely. Raise your voluntary excess. Also, look at policies designed for drivers with convictions.

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Page last updated on: 02/04/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

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