If you’ve had a driving conviction, you’ve probably noticed how it can affect your car insurance premiums. Some convictions will send your rates through the roof, while others might cause only a slight increase. So, what really causes the biggest hikes? Let’s take a closer look at the offences that will likely impact your insurance the most; and how you can manage those costs.
Drink Driving (DR10, DR20, DR30)
First up, drink driving. A DR10 conviction (driving with excess alcohol) is one of the most costly when it comes to insurance. If you’ve been convicted of this, expect a hefty premium increase. Some insurers may even hike your premiums by 100% or more. That’s a serious jump, and it's not just because of the conviction itself; it’s the potential risks insurers see when someone has driven under the influence. Unfortunately, this offence sticks with you for years, which means it keeps influencing your insurance rates.
That said, all is not lost. Over time, the impact of a DR10 conviction can fade. If you’ve been driving safely and haven’t had any further issues, some insurers might start offering better rates. It’s likely to take a few years for those premiums to drop, but staying clean on the road will certainly help.
Driving Without Insurance (IN10)
Next, we’ve got driving without insurance (IN10). This is a big one. Insurers see it as a massive red flag. Why? Because it suggests a disregard for the rules. If you've been convicted of this offence, don’t be surprised to see your premiums shoot up. In some cases, they might double. Insurers raise rates on IN10 convictions because they’re worried about repeat offenders, and understandably so.
If you’ve been hit with an IN10 conviction, finding affordable cover might take a bit of time. But don't worry; there are insurers who specialise in high-risk drivers, and they’ll offer more reasonable rates. As the conviction ages, you should start seeing your premiums drop. It just takes a little patience and a clean driving record moving forward.
Dangerous or Careless Driving (DD40, DD60)
Dangerous or careless driving offences (DD40, DD60) are also serious when it comes to insurance. Insurers treat these offences as major risks. If you’ve been convicted of dangerous driving, you can expect your premiums to increase by at least 50%. The rationale behind this is simple: if you’ve been caught driving dangerously or carelessly once, it raises the likelihood of it happening again.
The good news? If you've been driving responsibly since then, and a few years have passed, insurers may start lowering your premiums. However, don’t expect an immediate drop. It’s all about proving that you’ve learned from your mistakes and that you’re a safer driver now. Patience and careful driving will pay off.
Speeding (SP30, SP50)
Speeding is probably the most common driving offence, but even so, it still has an impact on your insurance. A speeding conviction, particularly one for SP50 (exceeding the speed limit on a motorway), can see your premiums rise by 10% to 40%, depending on the severity of the offence and how many points you’ve accumulated.
If you’ve got a history of speeding tickets, especially in a short period, expect insurers to take note. Multiple offences are a red flag for insurers because they indicate a pattern of risky driving behaviour. If it’s just one speeding ticket, though, the increase in premiums might not be as severe; unless it was for excessive speeding. The takeaway? Slow down! It’s an easy fix, and it’ll help keep your premiums under control.
Mobile Phone Use (CU80)
Now, let's talk about using your mobile phone while driving (CU80). This is becoming an all-too-common offence, but it’s one insurers really don’t like. Why? Because using your phone behind the wheel is linked to distracted driving, which significantly increases the risk of accidents. If you’ve been caught using your phone, expect your premiums to rise; usually by around 30% or more.
If this is your first offence, the increase might not be as steep, but it’s still something insurers take seriously. If you’ve had multiple offences, though, you’re looking at a much bigger rise in premiums. So, next time you're tempted to check that text, remember that it's not worth the extra cost in both fines and increased insurance premiums!
Totting Up (TT99)
And then we have the TT99 conviction; the one that comes after you’ve accumulated 12 or more penalty points on your licence. At this point, insurers will see you as a higher risk. A pattern of reckless or risky behaviour behind the wheel makes you much more likely to be involved in an accident. Expect your premiums to rise by at least 40%, and in some cases, it might even be hard to get insurance at all.
If you're in this situation, don’t panic. There are specialist insurers who cater to drivers with a TT99 conviction, but be prepared; it’s going to come at a cost. On the plus side, once the points start to drop off your record, your premiums will start to reduce too. It's a matter of time, safe driving, and proving that you’ve learned from your mistakes.
What Can You Do to Manage Insurance Costs?
So, as you can see, some convictions can really bump up the cost of your insurance. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are things you can do to manage the cost:
- Shop Around: Always compare quotes from different insurers. Some might offer better deals than others, even if you’ve got a conviction on your record.
- Increase Your Excess: If you're comfortable with it, raising your voluntary excess can help lower your premiums. Just make sure you're okay with the amount in case you need to make a claim.
- Consider a Black Box: Some insurers offer black box policies that monitor your driving. If you can prove you’re a safe driver, you might get lower premiums over time.
- Keep Your Record Clean: The best way to reduce your premiums is to avoid further convictions. Drive safely, and over time, your premiums will naturally drop.
In Conclusion
Convictions will raise your car insurance premiums; there’s no way around that. But it’s not the end of the world. With time, patience, and a clean record, you can manage the costs. By being honest, shopping around, and proving you’ve learned from past mistakes, you’ll eventually get those premiums back to a more reasonable level. It may take a bit of time, but trust me, it gets easier; and cheaper; the longer you stay on track.