How Much Does 3 Points Increase Car Insurance Costs?

Getting 3 points on your driving licence can feel scary. You may worry about the cost of your car insurance going up.

This is a normal worry that many drivers have. In fact, more than 1,000 people visit our blog each month to learn about insurance for drivers with points on their licence. 

In this article, we’ll help you understand:

•  How much 3 points might increase your car insurance cost.
•  How to find cheaper insurance even if you have a conviction.
•  How to check how many points you have on your licence.
•  How penalty points can impact your insurance.
•  How to lessen the effect of penalty points on your car insurance cost.

We know it can be hard to deal with points on your licence, and looking for affordable insurance can be tough. But we’re here to guide you through.

Do 3 points affect your insurance?

Yes, in most or all cases having three penalty points will increase your insurance premiums. 

You can get three penalty points for a wide variety of reasons, from incidents involving a pedestrian crossing to speeding events. 

Although you might consider some of these convictions as minor, insurers still punish drivers for having three points. The insurance company will view drivers with penalty points as a greater risk of being involved in a road incident, and therefore, a greater risk of making a claim.

To counter this additional risk, they make you pay more!

How much extra will 3 points affect my insurance?

The difference three penalty points will make to your insurance premiums can depend on the insurer, but in general, you should expect a 5% to 10% increase in premiums. 

The increase in premiums can sometimes hinge on the reason you received the driving conviction. 

For example, premiums may increase more if you got three penalty points for dangerous driving or speeding in comparison to getting three penalty points for something perceived as a lesser offence.

However, the more serious offences will likely incur six points or more, so this may not be relevant.  

Does car insurance premiums go up a lot with 3 points?

The general rule is that insurance premiums will increase depending on how many penalty points you have on your licence. 

So having three penalty points will cause an increase, but the increase won’t be as big as if you have six, nine or eleven penalty points. 

How much will my insurance go up with 3 points for speeding?

Three penalty points for speeding will typically increase your car insurance premiums by 5%-10%. 

Convicted drivers of exceeding the statutory speed limit are sometimes convicted riskier by insurers, so premiums could increase by more than other three-penalty-point convictions. 

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Do you have to declare points after 3 years?

Yes, you usually have to declare all driving convictions and unspent penalty points for five years.

Can insurance check if I have points?

Insurance providers can check your driving record with your permission. However, when you apply for an insurance policy you usually give them permission to check. 

So they might check after you’ve applied and accepted a policy, possibly in the days, weeks or months after. 

Do you tell insurance if you get points?

Another common question regarding penalty points and insurance is if you have to notify them of newly endorsed points straight away. The internet has been littered with similar searches, and many turn to forums for an answer, just like this poster did:

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/314848/3-points-tell-insurance-company 

The answer isn’t always the same. Some insurers put in the terms and conditions of their policy that you must tell them straight away, giving them the right to increase premiums. However, others don’t. 

So whether you have to tell your insurer about three penalty points straight away will depend on the policy you currently have. If in doubt always ask the insurer directly. 

Will my insurance cancel if I get points?

Your vehicle insurance won’t be cancelled if you get penalty points, unless the points you received result in a driving disqualification. 

However, as mentioned above, you might be obligated to tell your insurer about new penalty points. And if you don’t your insurance could be invalid. This isn’t always the case. 

How do I remove points from my licence?

It’s not possible to have penalty points removed from your driving licence. The points are removed automatically when they’re due to “expire”. 

How long does 3 points stay on your licence?

The three penalty points endorsed to your driving licence will remain on record for four years, either from the date of the offence or the date of the conviction. 

Can I reduce the impact of penalty points on my car insurance premium?

There are some ways you might be able to find cheaper car insurance with penalty points on your licence. These include:

1. Changing to a vehicle that is usually less expensive to insure because it’s less powerful.

2. Search for non-mainstream insurers who are usually more understanding and lenient. You could find more affordable car insurance by searching for high-risk driver insurance or convicted driver insurance. 

3. Use the services of a vehicle insurance broker, preferably one that specialises in getting convicted drivers cheaper insurance. 

Can I get insured with three penalty points?

Yes, you’ll still be able to get vehicle insurance if you have three penalty points. 

The more penalty points you have, the fewer insurance companies will be willing to insure you. 

This is because insurance companies believe there is a correlation between drivers with penalty points on their licence and their likelihood of being involved in a road incident and needing to make a claim.

How many points could I get on my licence?

The number of penalty points added to your licence depends on the offence and details relating to the offence. You can receive between three and eleven penalty points for a single offence. 

You get disqualified from driving if you receive 12 penalty points within any three-year period. The ban lasts for six months usually, or at least 12 months if you had already been banned in the last three years.

Afterwards, you might have to look for disqualified driver insurance to get insured. 

How do I see how many points I have on my licence?

You can consult your driving record to see how many penalty points you have and why by visiting this government portal. You can also find details of the points on your licence by calling the DVLA. 

You need certain details to hand to find your record. You’ll need to know your driving licence number, the postcode on your driving licence and your National Insurance number. 

How much does 3 points affect insurance? (Quick summary!)

In most cases, premiums will increase by up to 10% with three penalty points. Although the exact increase can depend on the type of driving conviction and the insurance company.