Protect Your Vehicle Now Convicted Car Insurance

Convicted drivers must always inform their insurer of their motoring offences. 

It is a legal offence to withhold information when you apply for a car insurance policy, so it is essential that you share any unspent convictions with your insurer. 

If you withhold information when you apply for a car insurance policy, this offence will be added to your driving record. It is essential that you share any unspent convictions with your insurer. 

Convictions can become ‘spent’ after a certain amount of time, depending on the type of offence committed. This means that, after a certain period, a convicted driver will not have to disclose the offence if requested to share information about their criminal record.

Breaking mandatory legislation and committing offences such as driving without a licence, MOT or insurance and continuing to drive even if you’ve been disqualified will all result in licence points and even a driving ban.

However, driving offences are typically classified under three main categories, with some overlapping into differing types.

The main categories of driving offences are:

Dangerous driving

If the quality of someone’s driving is well below the substandard expected of a licence holder, they will be classed as a dangerous driver as they put themselves and others at serious risk on the road. This offence also includes drivers using a vehicle with the full knowledge that it has a problem and may be unsafe.

Prime examples of dangerous driving include speeding, ignoring traffic lights, adjusting the radio, paying attention to a passenger instead of the road, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (both prescribed and illegal). Using a mobile phone or handheld electronics while driving can be considered ‘dangerous driving’ and ‘careless or inconsiderate driving’.

Careless or inconsiderate driving

Similarly to dangerous driving, careless driving means that driving quality has dipped below the expected minimum standard for careful drivers. It is classed as ‘careless’ and not ‘dangerous’ because the definition includes driving without concern for other road users.

Examples of careless or inconsiderate driving can include accidentally driving through a red light, dazzling drivers with full beam lights, driving too slow or braking without good reason, and staying too close to another vehicle. Being distracted by your mobile, radio, or electronic device is also classed as careless driving.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

While driving under the influence is considered ‘dangerous driving’, it is also a stand-alone offence.

You have to tell your insurer about your motoring conviction while it remains unspent. The length of time a motoring conviction will remain active will vary depending on the severity of the offence committed.  

Each DVLA code has a certain amount of time that will be unspent on your licence, starting from the date of the motoring offence or conviction. This period can vary widely from four years to even 11 or more years.  

The cost of convicted driver insurance depends on various factors and can vary between insurers.

Discover how much your car insurance premium will cost by calling us now on 0800 081 6064 for a free quote.