Compare PC10 Car Insurance – Mobile Phone Offences

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  • Get insured after a PC10 mobile phone offence
  • Specialist cover for PC10 convicted drivers
  • Compare insurers and find the right policy

What Is a PC10 Conviction?

A PC10 conviction happens when a driver gets caught using a mobile phone while driving. This includes holding the phone, texting, calling, or using any handheld device when the car is either moving or stopped at red lights.

Since March 2022, UK laws got stricter. Now, it is illegal to use any handheld device for any reason, even when you are stopped in traffic. The only exception is hands-free devices. These devices need to be mounted safely and should not distract the driver.

PC10 Conviction Penalties

Offence Penalty Points Fine Licence Endorsement Duration
Using a mobile phone while driving (PC10) 6 Up to £1,000 (£2,500 for HGVs) 4 years

Fact: If you are caught using a mobile phone within two years after you get your licence, you will lose your licence under the New Driver Act.

Why Is a PC10 Conviction Considered High Risk?

A PC10 driving offence is considered a serious motoring conviction. This is because distracted driving can lead to more accidents. Government data shows that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of a crash by four times.

Insurers view PC10 convictions as a big risk. This means drivers may have to pay higher car insurance premiums. In some situations, insurance providers might even refuse to cover drivers with a mobile phone offence on their record.

PC10, PC20 & PC30 Convictions – What’s the Difference?

A PC10, PC20, or PC30 conviction involves mobile phone offences while driving. Each conviction gives you six penalty points. You may get a fine up to £1,000. For HGV drivers, the fine can reach £2,500. This conviction stays on your driving licence for four years.

Conviction Code Offence Penalty Points Licence Endorsement Duration
PC10 Using a mobile phone while driving 6 4 years
PC20 Causing or permitting a driver to use a mobile phone 6 4 years
PC30 Supervising a learner driver while using a mobile phone 6 4 years

How a PC10 Conviction Affects Car Insurance Premiums

After a PC10 conviction, your insurance premiums might go up a lot. Insurance companies view drivers with mobile phone offences as high risk. They treat these drivers the same way as those with speeding (SP30) or careless driving (CD10) convictions.

Estimated Insurance Cost Increase for PC10 Convictions

Conviction Type Monthly Premium Before Conviction (£) Monthly Premium After Conviction (£) Increase (%)
Standard Driver (No Convictions) £40 - £90 £40 - £90 No increase
PC10 – Using a mobile phone while driving £50 - £100 £100 - £200 80% - 200%
SP30 – Speeding (non-motorway) £50 - £100 £90 - £160 60% - 150%
IN10 – Driving without insurance £80 - £120 £150 - £300 100% - 250%

Fact: A PC10 conviction may lead to increased insurance costs compared to several speeding tickets. This is due to the greater chance of accidents caused by distractions.

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How Long Does a PC10 Conviction Affect Insurance?

A PC10 conviction stays on a driving record for four years. Insurance companies may look at it when deciding premiums for as long as five years.

Timeline of Insurance Impact After a PC10 Conviction

Timeframe Effect on Car Insurance
1 - 4 Years Conviction remains on drivers licence, increasing premiums.
4 Years DVLA removes endorsement from the licence.
5 Years Many insurers stop considering PC10 convictions in pricing.

PC10 Conviction and the Law – What the UK Rules Say

In the UK, the law says you should not use a handheld mobile phone while driving. This rule is for every driver.

  • Sending text messages, calling, or taking pictures
  • Checking social media or playing music
  • Using a device while driving or when stopped at red lights

The law applies in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man. It ensures that penalties for mobile phone offences are the same across all these places.

Can You Appeal a PC10 Conviction?

A PC10 endorsement happens only if there is clear proof that a driver used a mobile phone while driving. If you think the conviction is unfair, you can appeal through the courts.

Grounds for Appealing a PC10 Conviction:

  • Proving you were not using a mobile phone when it happened
  • No evidence from the police
  • Incorrect or missing information in the police report

Does a PC10 Conviction Affect Your Driving Licence?

A PC10 conviction will put six penalty points on your driving record. If you reach 12 points within three years, you might get a driving ban based on the totting-up rules.

For new drivers, getting a PC10 offence can mean they lose their licence right away. This is true if they have had their licence for less than two years.

How a PC10 Conviction Compares to Other Driving Offences

Conviction Code Offence Penalty Points Effect on Insurance Premiums
PC10 Using a mobile phone while driving 6 80% - 200% increase
SP30 Speeding (non-motorway) 3 - 6 60% - 150% increase
IN10 Driving without insurance 6 - 8 100% - 250% increase
CD10 Careless driving 3 - 9 80% - 200% increase

Fact: Many drivers believe that a mobile phone offence is minor. In reality, it carries more penalty points than several speeding offences. It is regarded as a serious driving offence.

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How to Reduce Car Insurance Costs After a PC10 Conviction

After a PC10 conviction, insurance payments might increase. But, there are ways to lower these costs.

Three Ways to Reduce Car Insurance Costs After a PC10 Conviction:

  • Look at FCA-approved insurers – Some insurers specialise in convicted driver insurance and may offer lower prices.
  • Select third-party fire and theft insurance – This choice can make insurance premiums cheaper than comprehensive cover.
  • Raise voluntary excess – A higher excess selected can lower your monthly payments.

Tip: Some insurance companies lower rates after three years if the driver has a clean record.

FAQs About PC10 Car Insurance

Yes, you will likely need a convicted driver insurance provider. Regular insurance companies might increase your premiums significantly.

A PC10 endorsement can increase insurance costs by 80% to 200%. How much it goes up depends on the insurance provider and the driver's past.

Yes, insurers can ask for higher premiums or change the main driver status. This means they may need to add another insured driver as the primary driver.

A PC10 driving conviction marks a driver as higher risk. Because of this, insurance companies may raise premiums or limit policy choices. Some insurance companies might only offer third-party fire and theft coverage instead of comprehensive cover.

Yes, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) watches over all motor insurance providers. This includes those that offer convicted driver insurance. When searching for PC10 car insurance, ensure the insurance company is FCA-approved. This will give you peace of mind.

Yes, an unspent conviction will remain on your record. You need to share it when you apply for driving car insurance. The cost of your car insurance depends on a few factors. These factors include the type of conviction, the date of the offence, and the number of penalty points.

A PC10 endorsement code can change the event of a claim. This is especially true if distracted driving led to the accident. Insurance companies may pay more attention to it. In serious cases, they might decide not to pay out if the claim is tied to a motoring offence.

Not sharing a driving conviction can be considered insurance fraud. If an insurance company discovers that you didn’t report a driving conviction, they might cancel the policy or deny your claim. They could also add you to a shared fraud database. This can make it harder to get motor insurance later on.

Yes, comparing insurance companies through a panel of FCA-approved providers is the best way to find competitive rates for PC10 convicted drivers. Many insurance companies focus on motoring offence cover. This helps drivers be in the right place for a fair quote.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, a PC10 conviction is considered spent after five years. This means that insurers may not use it in their pricing anymore. Still, some panel of insurers may consider it when assessing risk.

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Page last updated on: 25/03/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

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