How do points on your licence affect your car insurance?
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There are a load of myths around points on your licence and how they impact your insurance. So, let's get to the bottom of it...
- How can points on your licence affect your insurance?
- Do points on your licence get written off?
- Do you need to tell your insurer about driving convictions?
First things first, what do motoring conviction codes mean?
Whether you call them motoring convictions, endorsements or fixed penalty notices, they all pretty much mean the same thing – points on your licence. The codes refer to different types of offence; from speeding, to invalid MOT’s and even driving without insurance. Each code carries a different weight in terms of points on your licence, so check out this comprehensive list of conviction codes from Gov.uk to get all the specifics.
What’s the most common motoring offence?
The most common reason for points on your licence is unsurprisingly, speeding. Many of us believe the myth that you’re allowed a leeway of some kind, however police are not required to allow for any kind of percentage leeway. You could be put on a speed awareness course or get points on your licence for any level of speeding, however the more you’re over the speed limit, the harsher the penalty could be, and in some cases it could even result in a driving ban.
Do points on your driving licence expire or get written off?
Most types of penalty points, for things like speeding or using a mobile phone are on the licence for four years, however, some offences like drink driving could remain on your licence for up to 11 years because of their severity.
It’s also worth remembering that new drivers will have their licence revoked if they receive more than six points in their first two years of driving. Needless to say, this will not result in particularly cheap car insurance once they’re back behind the wheel!
What happens if I don’t tell my insurer about points on my licence?
As cliché as it sounds, when it comes to talking about your driving history, honesty really is the best policy.
Our Claims Indemnity Manager, Paul Greenaway, says “Legislation states that customers must answer questions accurately as it’s very important we know the driving history of an individual. Customers who don’t tell us about points on their licence or driving bans, risk having their claims refused or policy voided meaning we treat the customer as though they were never insured.”
So make sure you give your insurer correct and current information so that you can rest assured you’re protected should you need them.
It's fraudulent to not disclose points to your insurer. Read our article to find out about different types of insurance fraud.
How do points on my licence affect my car insurance premium?
There are no two ways about it; points on your licence will not make for cheaper car insurance. When you have previous points or convictions, you’re seen by insurers as a potentially risky customer which means your premiums may be slightly higher than drivers who have no marks against their name. You’ll find this with most insurers, but as long as you’re honest from the get go about your driving history, you’ll still be protected if you ever needed to claim. You’ll also find that being clear and accurate when getting your car insurance will mean a far quicker quote process overall.This article contains links to other sites, and we're not responsible for the contents of any of these websites.