How to Get the Cheapest Insurance with Unspent Convictions?
If you have a driving conviction, getting cheap car insurance may feel like a challenge. But don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place. Every month, over 1,000 people visit our site for advice on getting car insurance after a conviction.
In this guide, we’ll:
- Explain what an unspent conviction is and how it affects your car insurance.
- Discuss the difference between spent and unspent convictions.
- Show you how to find the cheapest insurance with a conviction.
- Answer questions about when and why you need to declare unspent convictions to insurance companies.
- Give you tips on not getting overcharged by insurance companies.
We know it’s hard to find affordable insurance with a conviction; some of us have been in the same boat. But we’re here to reassure you that getting car insurance, even with a conviction, is not impossible.
Do you have to declare unspent convictions?
Yes. But only if the insurer asks you about any convictions you’ve received in the last 5 years.
In short, you don’t have to disclose convictions that are deemed spent.
That said, when you renew a policy or you seek car insurance from another provider, you’ll be asked about current convictions. In which case, you must tell them if you’ve got any on your licence!
When do you have to declare unspent convictions to insurance providers?
If you get a driving conviction midway through the term of an insurance policy, you don’t have to tell your current insurer.
However, you must tell them when you renew a policy or apply for insurance from a new provider!
Check out this question that one motorist asked on a popular forum:
Source: Moneysavingexpert
What happens if you don’t declare criminal convictions on car insurance?
If you don’t tell a car insurance provider about an unspent conviction and you get found out, it could invalidate your policy. In short, you’d be driving on a public road without mandatory vehicle insurance.
If you’re stopped by the police or involved in a road traffic accident, the insurer won’t cover you. Moreover, you could be prosecuted and have your car seized!
Can insurance companies check previous convictions?
Vehicle insurance companies must get your permission before they can check whether you have any criminal convictions. They typically rely on you telling them whether you have any or not!
Will points ruin my insurance?
| Points | Insurance increase |
|---|---|
| 3 Points | 5% |
| 6 Points | 25%+ |
| 10-12 Points | 80%+ |
The best way to find better deals is to use companies who specialise in insuring drivers with convictions and points.
To see if you can improve you insurance with a free quote, click the button below.
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Can I get car insurance with a pending conviction?
Your insurance premium may be a lot more expensive if you’ve got a pending conviction on the horizon. Mainstream vehicle insurance companies may refuse you cover which means cheaper deals are no longer available.
How can I get cheaper criminal convictions car insurance?
Getting insurance from a mainstream insurer may no longer be an option when you have current convictions.
That said, you could contact specialist providers. They are typically more willing to provide non-standard insurance.
Alternatively, you could speak to an insurance broker to see if they can come up with more affordable car insurance premiums.
How can I get car insurance if I have a criminal conviction?
You may not be able to find cheap car insurance for banned drivers, but you could get a better deal by contacting a broker.
Alternatively, you could speak to several specialist insurance providers. By shopping around, you’ll likely find the most competitive quotes.
These specialist insurers offer non-standard policies and although you’ll pay more, it’s an option worth considering. They have experience in finding insurance for people with criminal convictions.
Can I put someone else down as the main driver?
It’s not a good idea to put someone else down as a main driver if you’ve got convictions.
It’s called car insurance fronting when you pretend you’re not the main driver. Moreover, you could be prosecuted for doing this because it’s against the law!
How long do convictions stay on insurance?
Driving convictions can stay on your record for 4 or 11 years. The more serious the offence, the longer the conviction remains on your driving record.
A good example is when you’re caught drink-driving which is an extremely serious offence that remains on your record for 11 years!
If you’re caught speeding, you may get a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) which remains on your driving record for 4 years!
How do I know whether my convictions are spent?
The DVLA holds all your driving records which you can view online to check whether a conviction is spent or not.
How do convictions affect other parties on a policy?
If you’re a named driver on a policy and the main driver gets a conviction, you’ll also suffer the consequences.
The main driver’s policy could be terminated if the conviction is serious enough. Moreover, an affordable premium could no longer be an option!
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What are my options if I’m refused cover?
If a mainstream insurer refuses to provide you with cover, you could speak to a vehicle insurance broker to see if they can help.
Alternatively, you could contact several specialist vehicle insurance companies to see if they will offer you a more competitive quote.
What if I lie about a criminal conviction?
If you lie to an insurer about a criminal conviction when they’ve asked you about it, they could terminate your policy.
Not only this, but an insurance company may also start legal proceedings against you for committing fraud!
How much will car insurance with unspent convictions cost?
An unspent criminal conviction could see your insurance premium going up by over 100% depending on the seriousness of the driving offence.
Will a conviction affect my ability to make a claim?
Provided you’ve been honest with your insurer about any driving convictions you have, it should not affect any insurance claims you make further down the line!
What can I do if my insurance provider refuses to pay a claim?
If you didn’t declare a conviction to an insurer, chances are they will refuse to pay a claim. However, if you were honest, there’s no reason for them to refuse it.
As such, you should speak to their complaints department or write a formal letter of complaint. This should be handled in a timely manner by the insurer’s internal complaints department.
