Can I get car insurance with a criminal record?
Key takeaways
Criminal convictions increase premiums as insurers see you as high-risk but specialised insurers can offer fair prices
You must declare unspent convictions if asked, including non-motoring ones
Spent convictions don’t need to be disclosed under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
Can I get car insurance with a criminal record?
Yes, usually, but if you have a criminal record, you might find that your car insurance policy is more expensive than usual. Insurers often view individuals with criminal convictions as having a higher risk of being involved in accidents and making claims.
However, there are specialised car insurance providers that cater to those with criminal records, and by shopping around, you can find fair prices that won't break the bank.
How much will car insurance cost if I have a criminal record?
The table below shows the average prices our customers pay for car insurance.
No convictions | Driving conviction | Non-driving conviction |
|---|---|---|
£513 | £660 | £989 |
Do I need to declare criminal convictions when taking out car insurance?
When you buy car insurance, you need to to declare any unspent convictions - including any non-motoring convictions - if your insurer asks for them. However, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, you don’t need to tell them about spent convictions, even if you're asked directly by the insurer.
Driving convictions like speeding fines and drink driving also need to be shared with insurance companies if they ask - penalty points are usually shown on your driving licence for at least five years.
How long do criminal convictions stay on your record?
A conviction for a criminal offence stays on police records until your 100th birthday, but the time period they’ll impact your car insurance varies depending on the type of conviction. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 lays out rehabilitation periods after which a crime is considered spent and does not need to be disclosed to insurers.
Convictions resulting in fines may be spent after five years, while more severe sentences can remain unspent for life.
If you're unsure whether your convictions are spent or not, in England or Wales you can request a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for £21.50. Scotland and Northern Ireland offer similar services at slightly different costs.
Punishment | Time on your record (if over 18) |
|---|---|
Fine | 1 year from date of conviction |
Prison sentence: under 6 months | 2 years from the date your sentence ends |
Prison sentence: 6 - 30 months | 4 years from the date your sentence ends |
Prison sentence: 30 months to 4 years | 7 years from the date your sentence ends |
Prison sentence: over 4 years | Your conviction is never “spent” |
Do I need to declare the criminal convictions of named drivers?
If you're adding someone to your policy as a named driver, you need to tell your insurance provider about any of their unspent criminal convictions or you’ll likely invalidate your policy.
It's important to avoid "fronting," which is pretending to be the main driver to reduce insurance costs for someone with convictions. This is considered insurance fraud and could lead to a criminal conviction of your own.
How can I get cheaper car insurance with a criminal conviction?
Finding affordable car insurance is a little tougher with a criminal record, and you might have to look at specialist providers as alternatives to mainstream insurers. But there are ways you can try to reduce car insurance costs:
Pay annually, not monthly
Pay a higher voluntary excess
Build up a no-claims bonus
Take out a black box policy
Add a named driver
Downgrade to a cheaper-to-insure car
Improve the security on your car, including garaging it
Compare quotes
How do I compare car insurance quotes?
Comparing car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is an easy way for high-risk drivers, like those with criminal convictions, to find the best possible deal on car insurance. Just tell us a bit about yourself, your driving history and the car you want to insure, and we’ll search the market for deals that meet your needs.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
