A driving conviction is any type of motor related offence where you’re caught and charged for it. This can be anything from a speeding conviction to jumping a red light or drink driving but once they are on your licence you can find that getting cheap quotes for convicted drivers insurance.
Factors insurance providers take into account
You might worry about how having a driving conviction on your record might affect your ability to find car insurance at a reasonable price. Insurance providers will certainly take driving convictions into account as it means you’re a greater risk. However, it’s not the only factor that matters. Insurance providers will also consider:
- The value of your vehicle
- Your age
- Where the car is kept
- How it’s used
Does the type of conviction matter?
Yes, most insurance providers will take the type of conviction you have into account when calculating the price of your policy. For example, getting insurance for drink driving offence will be treated much more seriously and be more expensive cover following a single speeding conviction.
Should I always declare a conviction?
Yes! Insurance providers will usually require you to declare any driving convictions you have had in the past five years. If you withhold this information it’s very possible your policy will be void. Plus, if you were to make a claim and your insurers later discovered your driving conviction, they are likely to demand the pay-out money back.
How to avoid a conviction
If you have committed a driving offence it’s not always possible to avoid a conviction. However, you may be offered an alternative to a fine or points on your licence. For example, you could complete a National Speed Awareness Scheme course instead of receiving points on your licence - although some insurance providers may still take your speeding offence into account, even if you didn’t receive points on your licence as a result.
Finding car insurance with a driving conviction
When you’re looking for car insurance online, you may find the quotes you’re offered are very high – all because you have a driving conviction. Because online quote forms use an automated system, the severity of your conviction may not be taken into account, meaning your quote could look quite pricey. It’s therefore a good idea to seek car insurance from a specialist insurance provider that caters for people with driving convictions.
Specialist insurance providers have experience in devising policies that take each person’s unique circumstances into account – including how serious your offence was. Specialist providers will consider each application individually to offer a fair quote that suits the person’s needs.