Car insurance - disclosing speeding conviction?

Question

Hey everyone,

Ok, I've been driving for 4 years, conviction free and recently I was caught doing 38mph in a 30 zone and was convicted of speeding (given 3 penalty points).

I accept fault for this and I'm not expecting any sympathy, as speeding is bad! However, it is my first conviction and my car insurance is coming up for renewal in 3 months.

Please don't take offence to this question, but do I need to declare this speeding offence and will the insurance company be able to check with the DVLA?

I have a friend who's been disqualified from driving who was still able to get car insurance despite being disqualified, which is odd, because I would have thought that the insurance companies would have access to your driving records. Is this right?

Answer 1

Yes - you will have to tell the insurance company of the conviction. For existing customers and due to the fact that there are now so many convictions, it is unlikely that your premium will be affects.

No - the insurance company cannot check with DVLA but they can always ask for a copy of your driving licence should you make a claim (many companies do spot checks anyway)

If you friend owns a vehicle that he wants other people to be able to drive then there is no problem - he just gets a policy excluding him from driving (difficult to get online but easy enough through a broker). He may have problems when he does want to drive when he gets his licence back as the insurer may not take him. (I assume he is not driving the car whilst banned!)

Answer 2

No they will not check with DVLA

BUT

you need to tell them - your premium will increase, there's no way round that but if you fail to disclose all relevant information or lie to a direct question about speeding offences then your insurance will be invalid.
So you need to ask yourself if it's truly worth risking a jail sentence for a few £.

Yes a possible jail sentence if you're involved in an accident without insurance, not to mention the driving ban and/or fine.

Answer 3

No you must declare it
Your friend is on some sort of fiddle probably not declaring he is disqualfied. If he is found out he will find it difficult to get insurance and then with a heavy premium hike over and above that of a disqualified driver returning to drive. I do not know what other penalties he is open to but I do not think it is worth finding out

Answer 4

As Colin M says, you are unlikely to get a major hike in your insurance premium for a single SP30 in four years.

I've got one and according to my insurers, it adds about £20 on to my policy. They will only load the premium in a big way if you have Drunk or Dangerous Driving convictions.

Not declaring the points, on the other hand, could land you in a whole world of pain...

Answer 5

Yes you definately need to declare it because if you don't and have to make an insurance claim, they will find out from DVLA records and your insurance will be deemed as void. It will not only be a legal matter but any costs involved will have to be paid by yourself. Don't take the chance.

Answer 6

Always tell them, my friend. If a claim is made on your insurance they will certainly check your licence status and find out. Then they are able, if they wish, to invalidate your cover as you failed to disclose a material fact, as required in your contract with them.

Having said that, most insurers will overlook the odd SP30, but you must tell them.

Answer 7

I know a guy who did not tell his insurer about 3 points for a duff bulb, When he hit and wrote off another car on the road the company told him his claim was invalid as he had not let them know about the points for the bulb. The other driver sued him for the price of his car.