If you\u2019ve been zipping along a road a bit too fast and you spot that tell-tale flash of a speed camera in your mirrors, your heart may sink. Top of your mind will be the prospect of a speeding fine and points on your licence. The likely impact on your insurance premiums may not dawn on you until much later.<\/p>
We say it across many of our car insurance guides. Insurers \u2013 understandably \u2013 reward safe drivers, and penalise those they consider higher risk. Having a conviction makes you a higher risk and will hike up your premiums. Read on to find out how different convictions can affect your car insurance and how to keep costs as low as possible.<\/p>
Convicted driver insurance is no different in principle to regular car insurance. The difference lies in the fact that you have a criminal conviction at the point of taking out your car insurance policy.<\/p>
Speeding offences are among the most common convictions. But, importantly, the conviction doesn\u2019t have to be related to driving to affect your car insurance. If you have a criminal conviction of any kind, such as shoplifting or fly tipping, you will need to declare it when you go through the insurance quote process. That\u2019s because insurers regard anyone with a criminal record as riskier to insure.<\/p>
That means that car insurance is likely to be more expensive if you have a criminal conviction. It\u2019s often the case even if the conviction had nothing to do with your driving.<\/p>
If you have an unspent conviction, it should usually still be possible to get car insurance.<\/p>
However, you may find fewer insurers are willing to cover you, and those that do will charge more than they would if you had a clean record.<\/p>
The number of providers that will offer cover may depend on the nature of your conviction. For example, you may find it easier to get cover if you have a non-driving-related conviction, such as shoplifting, than if your conviction is linked to driving, such as dangerous driving or drink-driving.<\/p>
It\u2019s still well worth comparing quotes using a price comparison site. There are lots of car insurance providers, so even if only half are willing to cover you, that should still give you plenty to choose from.<\/p>
If you struggle to get cover from any mainstream insurer, try a specialist convicted driver insurance provider. Be aware it may charge over the odds, though.<\/p>
Drivers with convictions are considered to be a higher risk. Insurers consider them more likely to make a claim or commit further driving offences. This is why providers generally charge a higher premium.<\/p>
There\u2019s no hard and fast rule for this, as each insurer will have its own criteria for what it does and doesn\u2019t accept. But you may find it easier to find insurance for some offences than others. For example, some insurers may be more willing to cover:<\/p>
Below we\u2019ve outlined a selection of driving offences that can affect your insurance, and their typical penalties.<\/p>
Bear in mind that the information in our table is not a comprehensive list of all possible driving offences. The precise penalties will vary depending on the nature of the crime and the decision of magistrates if your case goes to court.<\/p>
The table also assumes that the convictions are on an otherwise clean driving record. Repeat offences may result in more severe penalties. If you get 12 penalty points or more within 3 years, you face a driving ban of 6 months.<\/p>
If you\u2019re banned from driving for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again, and may have to retake your driving test.<\/p>
The more serious (or frequent) the offence(s), and the greater the number of points on your licence, the greater the likely negative impact on your insurance premiums.<\/p>
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