Car Insurance For Convicted Drivers
Have you ever driven when you probably shouldn't have? Maybe you were upset and couldn't concentrate, or maybe you were just too tired. Did you get caught? If so, you probably now have driving convictions on your record, and you are probably worried about finding affordable car insurance. No one is perfect and we have all done things we regret, so why should our bank accounts take the beating? Having a few points on your license does not necessarily mean that your car insurance premium has to skyrocket. While it is never a good idea to drive dangerously or under the influence of controlled substances, there are a few ways to lower your premium if you have already been convicted of such an offense.
Many insurance companies now admit that having a few driving convictions doesn't always mean you are more likely to file a claim, and they don't always charge drivers with minor convictions an arm and a leg for insurance. Some companies offer accident forgiveness regardless of whether or not the accident was your fault. Others don't raise premiums over minor convictions such as speeding. However, if you have a significant number of points or a driving ban, you will need to find a specialised insurer.
Serious driving convictions mean that the majority of insurance companies will charge you outlandish premiums. If you have criminal convictions, they may not insure you at all. In fact, some insurers will quote a convicted driver a ridiculous rate because they would rather not insure him or her at all. A convicted driver is usually not an ideal insurance client. Again, this is where specialised insurers come in.
One of the most common driving convictions is driving under the influence of alcohol. Approximately 85,000 people are banned from driving each year for this specific reason. Convicted drivers are generally considered to be high-risk drivers and often face ridiculous premiums or no offer of insurance at all. However, this problem too can be solved by contacting an insurance company that specialises in convicted drivers. A specialist insurance broker can take down your information and then sift through a list of appropriate companies to find the best rate possible in your situation.
Another option for convicted drivers is to purchase telematics insurance. Telematics or Black Box insurance charges you premiums based on how much you drive. Telematics based insurance systems install GPS technology in your vehicle to monitor how much you drive. You are then charged a premium based on your usage. This can be a helpful form of insurance for convicted drivers since they won't have to pay as though they are driving constantly if they aren't.
Even if you find someone to insure you as a convicted driver, your rate will still likely be higher than if you had no convictions. However, once the conviction becomes more than five years old, you will no longer have to pay these higher rates. At this point, you no longer have to claim the convictions when you apply for insurance.