Why Compare AC10 Car Insurance?
Mainstream Insurers Decline AC10 Risks
Failing to stop after an accident is treated as a serious breach by insurers because it raises a question about honesty. Standard comparison sites typically decline. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers with panels of insurers prepared to quote on AC10 convictions.
Circumstances Matter and Need Explaining
Many AC10 convictions come from a panicked response rather than deliberate hit-and-run. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who ask the right questions and place your case with insurers who weigh the full story.
Your Cover Options Are Still Open
Comprehensive, third party fire and theft, and third party options remain available after an AC10 through specialist brokers. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who can talk through all three cover levels.
Car Insurance With an AC10 Conviction At A Glance
- AC10 is the DVLA endorsement code for failing to stop after an accident under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- Summary-only offence carrying 5 to 10 penalty points, up to 6 months in custody, an unlimited fine, and a discretionary driving ban at the court's discretion.
- The endorsement stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence, and insurers typically ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- Specialist brokers who handle convicted driver insurance can quote on AC10 cases that mainstream comparison sites decline.
- Fill in the form above to compare quotes from specialist brokers who understand AC10.
What Is an AC10 Conviction?
AC10 is a statutory offence under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 - failing to stop at the scene of a reportable accident. Here's how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to - Any driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle involved in a reportable accident who fails to stop and give their name, address, vehicle details, and the owner's name to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask.
- What counts as a reportable accident - Injury to another person, damage to another vehicle, damage to property on or near the road, or injury to certain animals (horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep, pigs, goats, and dogs).
- How the duty arises - Automatically, the moment any of those things happen. The prosecution needs to show the driver was aware, or should reasonably have been aware, that an accident occurred.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 5 to 10 (set by court) |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary |
| Maximum Fine | Unlimited (in force from March 2015) |
| Maximum Prison | 6 months |
| Offence Type | Summary only (magistrates' court) |
| Time on Licence | 4 years from date of offence |
| Spent After | Depends on sentence. Fine: 1 year. Community order: last day of order. Custody up to 6 months: 1 year after end of sentence. |
AC10Can You Get Insurance With an AC10 Conviction?
Yes, but the market is narrower than for a standard policy, and you'll almost always need a specialist broker. Here's what to know before you compare:
- Points and ban - Between 5 and 10 penalty points set by the magistrates, plus a possible discretionary driving ban depending on the circumstances.
- Time on your record - 4 years on the DVLA endorsement, and most insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- When it's spent - A fine-only AC10 is spent 1 year after conviction. A custodial sentence of up to 6 months is spent 1 year after the end of the sentence under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Disclosure matters more than usual - Non-disclosure can invalidate the policy and lead to a claim being declined, which hits harder on a conviction that already turns on honesty at the scene.
- Circumstances shape the price - Whether the accident involved injury, whether you returned or self-reported, and whether this is your only conviction all influence which insurers will quote and at what level.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 cases. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs AC10 Car Insurance?
Anyone insuring a vehicle with an AC10 conviction on their record will usually need specialist cover - many mainstream insurers decline failing-to-stop cases. Here are the situations where comparing specialist AC10 quotes usually helps most.
AC10 From a Panicked Response
You drove off in the minutes after a minor collision and realised later what had happened. Specialist brokers know this is common and some underwriters weigh it differently to deliberate hit-and-run.
AC10 Involving Property Damage Only
Your conviction involved damage to a parked car, a wall, or other property with no injury to anyone. Specialist brokers argue this is a materially lower-risk AC10 and match you to insurers who price accordingly.
AC10 With Early Self-Report
You reported the accident to police yourself, either at the scene or within 24 hours, but were still prosecuted. Specialist brokers can flag the self-report to underwriters as evidence of honesty after the initial mistake.
AC10 Plus Further Convictions
Your record has an AC10 alongside other motoring codes. Specialist brokers with wide panels can still place the combined record where mainstream insurers decline.
Current Insurer Non-Renewal
Your existing insurer has declined to renew after the AC10 came through. A specialist broker has access to insurers who handle accident offence codes.
Worth Knowing: An AC10 on your driving record does not close every door. Specialist brokers place cover for drivers in every one of these situations every day. Start with an honest conversation about the circumstances at the scene.
What AC10 Car Insurance Covers
An AC10 on your licence does not change the types of cover a specialist broker can arrange. It changes which insurers will quote you and how much the policy will cost. All three standard cover levels remain available through specialist convicted driver brokers.
Cover features depend on insurer terms, driver eligibility, and how the vehicle is used.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party liability | Designed to cover | Designed to cover | Designed to cover |
| Fire and theft protection | Designed to cover | Designed to cover | Not included |
| Accidental damage to your vehicle | Designed to cover | Not included | Not included |
| Personal injury cover | Often included | Sometimes included | Not included |
| Windscreen cover | Often included | Rarely included | Not included |
| Courtesy car | Sometimes included | Rarely included | Not included |
| Legal expenses | Often included | Sometimes included | Rarely included |
| Uninsured driver cover | Sometimes included | Rarely included | Not included |
Cover Tip: Comprehensive cover is often the sensible choice after an AC10, particularly if the original accident involved third-party damage. A specialist broker can help you weigh the cost of comprehensive against the risk of carrying your own damage under third party only.
What AC10 Car Insurance May Not Cover
Accuracy on your application is critical after an AC10. Any undisclosed information can invalidate the policy and lead to a claim being declined, which matters even more for a conviction that turns on honesty at the scene. Here are the exclusions and limitations that apply to most AC10 policies.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not declare your AC10 or any other motoring conviction, your policy may be invalidated and any claim declined. Honesty on the application is critical.
- Driving Against Policy Terms - If you drive in breach of your policy terms, cover can be invalidated and claims declined. This applies regardless of the AC10 conviction itself.
- Racing or Track Use - Standard motor policies are designed for normal road use. Track days, competitive events, and any use outside everyday road driving generally fall outside cover.
- General Wear and Tear - Gradual damage like worn tyres, rust, or engine wear is not covered. Insurance is designed for sudden and unexpected events.
- Undeclared Original Conviction - Declaring the AC10 alone is not enough. Every motoring conviction in the last five years must be declared. Failure to declare any conviction can invalidate the policy.
- Higher Compulsory Excess - Insurers usually apply a higher compulsory excess on AC10 policies. Check your policy schedule so you know the amount before you need to claim.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some AC10 policies limit who else can drive the vehicle, or exclude named drivers with their own convictions. Additional drivers may need to be declared individually.
- Mileage Restrictions - Specialist convicted driver policies often cap annual mileage. Going over the limit without telling the insurer can invalidate the cover, so the declared mileage needs to be realistic.
Optional Extras Worth Considering
Your base policy covers the essentials. These optional extras fill gaps that matter more after an AC10 - especially around legal protection and rebuilding an insurer's confidence.
A black box tracks your driving and helps rebuild an insurer's confidence after a AC10 extended ban. Evidence of careful driving may help reduce renewal premiums over time.
Once you start building no claims again, protecting the discount keeps the price reduction even if you later need to claim.
Helps with legal costs if you need to dispute fault or pursue a claim after a non-fault incident. Often inexpensive and worth considering.
Roadside assistance for breakdowns. After a long ban the car may be older or less reliable, and this can be a useful add-on.
Pays a set amount if you are injured in an incident and unable to work. Terms vary by insurer.
Helps recover losses from a non-fault crash, including uninsured loss recovery. Subject to policy limits and conditions.
What Affects the Cost of AC10 Car Insurance?
An AC10 is a significant loading for a motor insurer because it raises questions about honesty in a claim scenario. The price depends on the circumstances of the accident, whether any injury was involved, and the rest of your driving record.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Time Since the AC10 Conviction | The longer it has been since your AC10 conviction, the lower the loading insurers tend to apply. Time is the single biggest factor. |
| Whether Injury Was Involved | An AC10 that involved injury to a person sits at the top of the sentencing range and attracts higher premiums than a property-damage-only AC10. Insurers price the circumstances. |
| Points Imposed (5 to 10) | Magistrates set the exact number of points based on the facts. A 5-point AC10 looks materially lower-risk than a 10-point AC10, and specialist brokers pass that distinction to underwriters. |
| Other Motoring Convictions | An AC10 combined with drink, drug, or dangerous driving codes will push the price up sharply. A clean record around the AC10 helps. |
| Vehicle Choice | Lower-group vehicles, modest engine sizes, and older cars generally attract lower premiums after an AC10. |
| Annual Mileage | Lower realistic mileage often reduces the price. Be truthful - going over the declared mileage without telling the insurer can invalidate the policy. |
| Telematics Option | A telematics policy provides evidence of safe, accountable driving after the conviction and may help reduce renewal premiums over time. |
| Voluntary Excess | Accepting a higher voluntary excess can lower the premium, but check what the compulsory excess already is - the total can be significant. |
Price Insight: The first renewal after an AC10 conviction is almost always the most expensive. Each clean year after that tends to bring the price down. Comparing quotes through a specialist broker at every renewal is the best way to find out if the market has softened.
Ways to Reduce Your AC10 Car Insurance Cost
An AC10 pushes premiums up sharply, but there are practical steps that can bring the cost down. Here are 7 ways to reduce what you pay.
If You Returned or Reported Soon After
Many AC10 cases involve drivers who panicked, drove off, then returned within minutes or called the police the same day. A specialist broker can flag this to underwriters who distinguish a panicked response from deliberate evasion. Your case notes matter.
If No Injury Was Involved
AC10 convictions that involved property damage only look materially different to insurers from those involving injury. Make sure your specialist broker knows what the accident did and did not involve, because it affects the loading.
If It Is Your First Conviction
A first-time AC10 with an otherwise clean record is a very different risk to an AC10 stacked on top of other motoring convictions. A specialist broker argues the full history with underwriters who will take the clean period into account.
If You Accepted Responsibility Early
An AC10 case where the driver pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and cooperated fully with police typically sentences lower. Pass the full story to your specialist broker - it can influence which insurers will quote.
Telematics to Rebuild Trust
A black box policy after an AC10 is particularly valuable. The conviction itself questions judgement at a critical moment; telematics data is the most direct evidence you can offer an insurer that your everyday driving is careful and accountable.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payment adds an interest charge that can be significant on an AC10-loaded premium. Paying annually avoids it.
Compare Every Renewal
Each clean year after an AC10 reduces the loading. Comparing with specialist brokers at every renewal is the only way to see whether the market has softened.
Saving Tip: The year after an AC10 conviction is the most expensive for insurance. Every clean year after that tends to reduce the loading. Comparing with specialist brokers at every renewal is the most reliable way to see whether the price is coming down.
How to Compare AC10 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting AC10 quotes through Clean Green Cars is straightforward. Here is how the process works. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Registration number, make, model, and where the vehicle is kept overnight. Specialist brokers need the same basic vehicle information as any other quote.
Declare Your AC10 and Original Conviction
Enter the AC10 conviction code, date of conviction, and any other motoring convictions honestly.
Add Your Driving History
Any other convictions, recent claims, years of no claims discount, and the date your extended ban ended. Accuracy matters.
Choose Your Cover Level
Decide between comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only. A specialist broker can talk through the balance of cost and cover.
Compare the Quotes
Specialist brokers return quotes based on your full details. Compare the prices, the cover, the excess, and the policy terms before you commit.
What Our Expert Says
An AC10 is a conviction for failing to stop after an accident. It is a serious charge, and insurers treat it that way because it raises a question about honesty at a critical moment. But AC10 has an unusual feature that sets it apart from every other convicted driver code: the offence hinges on what you did after the accident, not on the driving itself.
That distinction matters because a surprising number of AC10 convictions involve drivers who panicked. The immediate aftermath of a collision is disorienting. Some people drive off on instinct, realise minutes later what they have done, and come back or report it straight away. The law does not excuse that response, but specialist brokers who deal with AC10 cases every day know the difference between a panicked return and a deliberate hit-and-run, and they can place a good case with an underwriter who listens.
Mainstream comparison sites tend to decline AC10 outright because the conviction touches on claim honesty. The specialist broker market is where these cases get placed, and those brokers work with the full circumstances - injury, return, report, the lot. Comparing quotes at every renewal is the most reliable way to know whether the loading is coming down.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common AC10 Car Insurance Questions
What Is an AC10 Conviction?
AC10 is the DVLA endorsement code for failing to stop after an accident, under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It carries 5 to 10 penalty points, up to 6 months in custody, and a possible discretionary driving ban.
What Counts as a Reportable Accident?
Under Section 170(1) Road Traffic Act 1988, a reportable accident is one that causes injury to a person other than the driver, damage to another vehicle, damage to property on or near the road, or injury to certain animals (horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep, pigs, goats, and dogs). The duty to stop arises automatically once any of those things happen.
Do I Have to Know I Had an Accident?
The prosecution does need to show the driver was aware, or should reasonably have been aware, that an accident had occurred. If you genuinely had no knowledge of a collision at the time – for example with a parked car in a car park – this can be a defence. A solicitor can advise on whether the facts support it.
How Long Does an AC10 Stay on My Driving Licence?
Under the DVLA endorsement rules, an AC10 stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. Most insurers then ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
What Is the Maximum Sentence for an AC10?
6 months in custody or an unlimited fine, or both. AC10 is a summary-only offence tried in the magistrates’ court. The court can also impose a discretionary driving ban on top of the penalty points.
Will the Court Impose a Ban for an AC10?
A ban is discretionary, not automatic. Courts are more likely to impose one where the accident involved injury, where there was no attempt to return or report, or where there are aggravating factors such as suspected drink driving. A first-time AC10 with early self-report can often be sentenced with points only.
Can You Get Car Insurance After an AC10 Conviction?
Through the specialist broker market, yes. Many mainstream insurers decline AC10 because of the honesty question, but specialist brokers have insurer panels that will quote on accident offence codes. Comparing those quotes is how you find the right price.
When Does an AC10 Become Spent Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act?
It depends on the sentence. A fine is spent 1 year after conviction. A community order is spent on the last day it has effect. A custodial sentence of up to 6 months is spent 1 year after the end of the sentence.
How Is AC10 Different From AC20?
AC10 is failing to stop at the scene of the accident. AC20 is failing to give particulars or report an accident within 24 hours. Both sit under Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 and both carry 5 to 10 points, but they cover different failures of duty.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Your details are passed to specialist brokers who handle AC10 cases. They return quotes based on your information. Compare the quotes, cover levels, and policy terms before choosing.
Related Accident Offence Conviction Codes
AC10 sits within the accident offences family of conviction codes. Each carries different penalties and different insurance implications. These are the related DVLA endorsement codes.
Search & compare quotes from UK AC10 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Endorsement Codes and Penalty Points - The official DVLA list showing all endorsement codes, penalty points, and how long each stays on your record.
- Legislation.gov.uk - Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 170 - The statute creating the duty to stop and report after an accident.
- GOV.UK - How Long Endorsements Stay on Your Driving Record - The official rule on AC endorsement retention.
- GOV.UK - Report an Accident - How to report a road traffic accident to the police, and when you must do so.
- Sentencing Council - Fail to Stop After Accident - The magistrates' court sentencing guideline for failing to stop under Section 170.
