Why is Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers So Expensive? Costs and How to Reduce Them
Published 21st of November 2012·Updated 1 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Car insurance for convicted drivers is more expensive because insurers use your driving record as a predictor of future behaviour. A conviction shows you have already driven irresponsibly at least once, which raises your statistical risk of making a future claim. The more serious the conviction, the higher the premium.
Short Summary
Insurers calculate premiums based on the likelihood and potential cost of claims. A motoring conviction signals higher risk on both counts.
The type of conviction matters enormously. A speeding conviction (SP30) has a smaller impact than a drink-driving conviction (DR10), which can make some standard policies unavailable entirely.
Your no-claims discount may also be affected if you were banned from driving and your policy lapsed during the ban period.
Specialist convicted driver insurers exist in the UK market and often offer more competitive rates than mainstream providers for higher-risk profiles. Comparing quotes across multiple providers is essential.
Why does a conviction make insurance more expensive?
Insurers are not trying to punish you. They are calculating the probability that you will cost them money. Claims data consistently shows that drivers with motoring convictions are more likely to make claims in future than those with clean licences.
A drink-driving conviction (DR10) is treated particularly seriously. Drink drivers tend to be involved in higher-speed collisions, which result in more damage to vehicles and more severe personal injury claims. The Association of British Insurers estimates the average personal injury claim runs into thousands of pounds, so higher-severity accidents translate directly into higher premiums for the whole risk group.
How does the type of conviction affect the cost?
Not all convictions are equal. Insurers score different offence codes differently when calculating your premium.
| Conviction code | Offence | Typical premium impact |
|---|---|---|
| SP30 | Speeding (exceeding a fixed limit) | Moderate increase; often 10-30% |
| SP50 | Speeding on a motorway | Moderate increase |
| CU80 | Using a mobile phone while driving | Moderate to significant increase |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured | Significant increase |
| DR10 | Drive with excess alcohol | Severe increase; some insurers decline |
| CD10 | Careless driving | Significant increase |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | Severe; specialist insurer often required |
Most convictions stay on your driving licence for four years (11 years for the most serious offences). You must declare them to your insurer for as long as they are live on your licence.
What happens to my no-claims discount after a ban?
If you were banned from driving, your insurance policy would have lapsed during the ban. When you return to driving, you will need to start building a no-claims discount from scratch. Some insurers may also ask about previous bans even after the conviction has expired, particularly for drink-driving offences.
Your previous no-claims discount is unlikely to be reinstated after a long gap. However, most insurers will still take into account any discount you had built up before the conviction, provided you can provide evidence of it.
How can convicted drivers reduce their insurance premiums?
Use a specialist broker: Companies such as Adrian Flux and Marmalade specialise in higher-risk drivers. They work with a panel of insurers who are more willing to offer competitive terms for convicted drivers than standard comparison site providers.
Telematics (black box) insurance: A telematics policy monitors your driving in real time and rewards smooth, responsible driving with lower premiums. This can be a genuinely effective route for convicted drivers who want to demonstrate that their behaviour has changed.
Drive a smaller, lower-value car: Premiums are partly based on the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Choosing a car in a low insurance group (1 to 10) keeps that element of your premium down.
Increase your voluntary excess: Agreeing to pay more in the event of a claim reduces your premium. Only choose an excess level you can realistically afford to pay.
Pay annually: Spreading the cost monthly adds interest. A single annual payment is almost always cheaper.
Will convicted driver insurance ever return to normal?
Yes. Once your conviction has expired from your licence, you are no longer required to declare it and your premium will fall accordingly. For most standard convictions, that means four years. After a clean period of driving following the conviction, many drivers find their premiums normalise considerably even before the conviction expires.
The most important thing you can do is drive carefully, accumulate a no-claims discount, and shop around every renewal rather than accepting the automatic renewal quote from your current insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to tell my insurer about a conviction even if it was only a few points?
Yes. You are legally required to declare all motoring convictions that are live on your licence. Failing to do so is considered non-disclosure and your insurer can cancel your policy or refuse to pay a claim if they discover it. Always be honest when filling in a quote form.
How long does a DR10 (drink-driving) conviction affect my insurance?
A DR10 stays on your licence for 11 years, but most insurers only ask about convictions from the past five years. After five years, the impact on your premium typically reduces. After 11 years, the conviction is spent and you are not required to declare it. During that period, expect to pay significantly more than a driver with a clean record.
Can I get car insurance with a DD40 (dangerous driving) conviction?
Yes, but you will almost certainly need a specialist insurer. Standard comparison sites are unlikely to return competitive quotes. Brokers such as Adrian Flux or Devitt work with insurers that cover higher-risk profiles including dangerous driving convictions.
Will a conviction affect my partner's insurance if they are a named driver on my policy?
Your conviction affects the policy it appears on. If your partner is a named driver on your policy, it will affect the overall premium for that policy. Your partner's own separate policy will not be directly affected by your conviction.
Does the number of points on my licence matter as well as the conviction code?
Both matter. Insurers look at both the specific offence code and the number of penalty points. Accumulating 12 or more points (unless a court grants special reasons) results in a mandatory ban. Even below that threshold, a higher number of points signals greater risk to an insurer and raises your premium further.
Is convicted driver insurance the same as high-risk insurance? Convicted driver insurance is a subset of what the industry calls non-standard or high-risk insurance. The same specialist insurers and brokers that cover convicted drivers also cover other higher-risk groups such as young drivers, drivers with multiple claims, and drivers with medical conditions that require DVLA notification.