Forgot to Tell Car Insurance About Points? Important To Know
Having points on your driving licence or a conviction can lead to worries about getting affordable car insurance.
You’re not alone. Every month, over 1,000 people visit this blog for guidance on how to find reasonable insurance, even with a conviction.
In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll explore:
- How penalty points work in the UK.
- The effect of points on insurance costs.
- Ways to avoid getting tricked by insurance firms.
- How insurance firms check for points.
- The need for declaring points, even for temporary insurance.
Finding affordable insurance can be tough when you have points or a conviction. We understand this, and that’s why we’re here to guide you.
So, let’s get started and help you find affordable insurance!
Is it illegal to not tell your insurance about points?
Yes. You’d be breaking the law if you omit to tell an insurer about points on your licence.
In short, under the Road Traffic Act, withholding information when applying for motor insurance is an offence!
What are the consequences of not declaring points?
The consequences of not declaring points on your licence are far-reaching. Not only could an insurer invalidate your policy, but they could also deem you tried to defraud them!
If you’re stopped by the police, you could be prosecuted for driving an uninsured car. You could be prosecuted and given as many as 8 penalty points on your licence!
Moreover, if you are in an accident, the insurer will likely not agree to pay out!
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.
In partnership with Quotezone.
What happens if you forgot to tell insurance about points?
If you forgot to declare penalty points to an insurer, they’ll cancel your policy. This will leave you driving an uninsured vehicle which could get you prosecuted!
Moreover, you risk getting more penalty points on your licence which could be anything from 6 to 8 points!
What happens if you don’t declare speeding points on insurance?
You must declare speeding points to insurers when you take out a new policy or renew an existing one. That said, many motor insurance companies now ask you to disclose all convictions immediately by including a clause in their policies!
If you fail to disclose speeding points, your insurance could be invalid!
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What happens if you are not sure about how many points you have?
There are ways you can find out how many points you have on your licence by visiting the Government’s dedicated page.
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your driving licence number which found on the front of your licence
- Your National Insurance Number
- The postcode found on your driving licence
Do I need to declare points for temporary car insurance?
Yes. You have a legal obligation to disclose penalty points when you take out temporary insurance.
The rules are the same as taking out annual insurance as it allows insurers to determine the risk factors involved!
How long do you have to tell insurance about points?
As mentioned, you must tell your insurer about penalty points when you renew a policy or take out a new one.
However, you may want to check your policy because many insurers stipulate that you disclose convictions straight away.
Do insurers check if you have points?
Your driving record is held by the DVLA which includes any penalty points you have on your licence.
Most leading motor insurance companies can access the information under the MyLicence Scheme. That said, comparison sites do not have access to this data.
It’s worth noting the MyLicence Scheme does not reveal spent convictions.
Can insurers find out if you have points?
Yes. If you don’t disclose penalty points to an insurer, they will likely find out about them.
In short, you may take out an insurance policy but this could be invalid as soon as an insurer discovers you have points.
How long do points stay on your licence?
Endorsements could stay on your licence for anything from 4 to 11 years depending on a driving offence. This can start from the time of the offence or when you were convicted of it.
How many penalty points to suspend a licence?
You can be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within 3 years.
There are different rules for new drivers. Endorsement codes and processes in Northern Ireland are different.
Do I have to declare expired points to insurance?
No. You don’t have to declare expired (spent) points to insurers. However, it’s worth noting that points may expire in 4 years but insurers could ask you to declare all convictions you had within 5 years!
Why do insurance companies ask for 5 years convictions?
Under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, motor insurance companies can ask you about convictions that go back 5 years because they remain on record for that amount of time.
Need some more information about unspent convictions?
If you need more information about unspent convictions, why not check out our recent post on the subject?
