Motor Insurance With Criminal Convictions

Motor Insurance With Criminal Convictions: Understanding Your Options

Motor insurance is a necessity in order to legally drive a vehicle on the road. However, if you have a criminal conviction, getting motor insurance may prove to be a difficult task. Insurance companies consider those with criminal convictions to be a higher risk and may either refuse to insure them or charge higher premiums. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at motor insurance with criminal convictions and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

What is a Criminal Conviction?

Before we delve into motor insurance with criminal convictions, let’s first define what a criminal conviction is. A criminal conviction is a legal determination made by a court that an individual has committed a crime. This can range from minor offenses like traffic violations to serious crimes like assault or theft. If you have a criminal conviction, it will show up on your criminal record and can affect various different aspects of your life.

Why Criminal Convictions Affect Motor Insurance

Insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine the cost of motor insurance, including the driver’s age, driving history, and the type of vehicle being insured. However, one of the most important factors that insurers consider is the level of risk the driver presents. Risk is calculated based on statistical data, which includes factors like the driver’s age, the type of vehicle they drive, and their driving history. Insurance companies also take into account any criminal convictions the driver may have.

Insurance companies view drivers with criminal convictions as higher risk. This is because drivers with criminal convictions are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents or make claims for theft or damage to their vehicle. Insurance companies may therefore refuse to insure drivers with certain types of criminal convictions or charge higher premiums to offset the increased risk.

Types of Criminal Convictions That Can Affect Motor Insurance

It is important to note that not all criminal convictions will affect your motor insurance. Insurance companies tend to focus on more serious offenses, particularly those that are related to driving or theft. Some examples of criminal convictions that could affect motor insurance include:

– Driving offenses: This includes offenses such as driving under the influence, speeding, reckless driving, and driving without insurance.
– Theft offenses: This includes offenses such as burglary, robbery, and theft of a motor vehicle.
– Assault offenses: This includes offenses such as assault and battery.

If you have a criminal conviction that is not related to driving or theft, it is unlikely to affect your motor insurance premiums.

Options for Motor Insurance with Criminal Convictions

If you have a criminal conviction and are looking for motor insurance, there are several options available to you. Here are some of the most common options:

1. Full Disclosure

When applying for motor insurance, it is important to disclose any criminal convictions you have. Failing to disclose a conviction can result in your insurance being voided or cancelled if the insurer finds out later.

If you disclose your conviction to your insurer, they will take it into account when calculating your premium. Depending on the nature of the conviction, your premium may be higher than it would be for someone without a conviction. However, some insurers may be willing to offer coverage at a reasonable price, particularly if the conviction is not related to driving or theft.

2. Specialist Insurers

There are a number of specialist insurers who cater specifically to drivers with criminal convictions. These insurers have more experience in dealing with drivers who are considered high-risk and may be able to offer more competitive rates than traditional insurers.

However, it is important to do your research when choosing a specialist insurer. Some may have higher premiums or more restrictive policies than others. You should also ensure that the insurer is properly licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities.

3. Telematics Insurance

Telematics insurance, also known as “black box” insurance, is a type of motor insurance that uses a device installed in your car to monitor your driving behavior. The device tracks things like your speed, braking, and acceleration, and sends the data to your insurer.

Telematics insurance can be a good option for drivers with criminal convictions. By demonstrating safe driving behavior, you may be able to reduce your premiums over time. Some insurers also offer discounts for drivers who demonstrate safe driving behavior, which can help to offset the higher premiums that may be charged due to a criminal conviction.

Conclusion

Having a criminal conviction can make it difficult to get motor insurance. However, there are options available to drivers with criminal convictions, including full disclosure, specialist insurers, and telematics insurance. By researching your options and choosing the right insurer, you can ensure that you have adequate motor insurance coverage at a reasonable price.